daverclasper Posted December 19, 2019 Report Share Posted December 19, 2019 Hi folks. I have a Mig welder earth cable that I salvaged from a scrap welder. Was thinking of using it as an engine earth, from bell housing to neg battery post. It's rather long though will see if looping it will take up some slack. Is this feasible/worth doing please?. Thanks, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted December 19, 2019 Report Share Posted December 19, 2019 Very worthwhile! It could go anywhere on the engine/gearbox, to anywhere that is a good earth. I'd not use the battery post, but the point on the body tub that the battery earths to. Otherwise it complicates battery changes/diosconnection. This might help if you don't want to cut it. If you will, suitable terminals are available, best crimped onto the cable, but could be soldered. https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/crimp-ring-terminals/1225005?cm_mmc=UK-PLA-DS3A-_-google-_-PLA_UK_EN_Connectors-_-Terminals_And_Splices|Crimp_Ring_Terminals-_-PRODUCT_GROUP&matchtype=&aud-821594433763:pla-394876820878&s_kwcid=AL!7457!3!243856856084!!!g!394876820878!&gclid=CjwKCAiA3OzvBRBXEiwALNKDP6Go_RPMflYZZKwVObXEX1fBN2UUK_fFBhXJ_K9unwTnWGWEI0sDrhoC0T0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daverclasper Posted December 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2019 Thanks John. I only have a small soldering iron. Could I use a gas torch and plumbers flux, with electrical solder wire?. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68vitesse Posted December 19, 2019 Report Share Posted December 19, 2019 You could solder it but capillary action draws solder up the wire leaving the end rigid with a possibility of the stands breaking at the the solder joint from vibration. A crimped joint leaves the end flexible. Regards Paul 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted December 19, 2019 Report Share Posted December 19, 2019 I wouldn't mess about soldering, I bought one of these from Amazon. As John says connect to the point on the tub where the battery earths, the other end on the bell housing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerH Posted December 19, 2019 Report Share Posted December 19, 2019 Halfords have a few ready made and cheap as chips. Rooger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted December 19, 2019 Report Share Posted December 19, 2019 With the type of construction, used on all "our" vehicles. It might be worth while making Similar Earthing bridges between all the components?. ie; both "tub" sections, Chassis (of course) Bonnet, etc;?. It might help eliminate quite a few connection issues?. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted December 19, 2019 Report Share Posted December 19, 2019 yes ive said a few time an decent earth bond cable joining both tubs , bonnet and chassis , to battery is well worthwhile Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted December 19, 2019 Report Share Posted December 19, 2019 8 hours ago, 68vitesse said: You could solder it but capillary action draws solder up the wire leaving the end rigid with a possibility of the stands breaking at the the solder joint from vibration. A crimped joint leaves the end flexible. Regards Paul Strictly, yes, fro small cables, but this is a massive - 1/4"? - welder earthing, cum starter cable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daverclasper Posted December 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2019 So could this be soldered with gas torch, plumbers flux and electrical solder wire (as asked above)?. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted December 19, 2019 Report Share Posted December 19, 2019 That's what I've done.. Cover with heat shrink. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68vitesse Posted December 20, 2019 Report Share Posted December 20, 2019 3 hours ago, daverclasper said: So could this be soldered with gas torch, plumbers flux and electrical solder wire (as asked above)?. Dave You can, the faster the job is done the less solder fed to the joint the less solder will travel up the cable away from the joint. Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted December 20, 2019 Report Share Posted December 20, 2019 The probable answer is to ensure the parts are first properly "tinned", and the termination clamped with the cable entered from above, gravity then reduces the capillary effect so some extent. Heat shrink insulation will help support the joint too. (slide it on before you do the soldering, Hmm Guess who forgot?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daverclasper Posted December 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2019 Thanks Guys. Anything to save a few quid, always good for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 Some Spitfire models have a battery earth strap that extends right down to the bellhousing. I have one on my GT6, it means the battery has more than just the short cable to the battery earth beside the tray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 Colin, I think they've all got that, how else does the block get earthed? I suspect your meds are cutting in, was it the good stuff?!! 🤪 Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 I think I said that back to front Doug. They have an extra bit that earths to the bodywork as well as the battery terminal, but on the one I used the entire cable forks into a y-shape rather than just two bolt/brackets. Given that the sweat is breaking on me with the effort of typing this I'm not going to hobble out to the garage to check how it differs from the original one-piece that the GT6 had... so someone about here will know what I mean. I hope. Put it this way: it was worth fitting all those years ago as it had an extra bit. I just can't remember where... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 Colin, time for a lie down. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted December 22, 2019 Report Share Posted December 22, 2019 Aha a lie down club now there is an idea Or a metformin tamsolusin,statin beta blocker asprin club groan !!! Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted December 22, 2019 Report Share Posted December 22, 2019 Oh Gawd whatever they gave me in the chop shop wore off yesterday... woe is me. Can't even drink alcohol. Slept sitting up, at one point opening eyes and grabbing for the steering wheel... We could have Christmas compo, how many words can you make out of whatever Pete's on? Personally can't wait to get back to earth, let alone engine ones. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted December 22, 2019 Report Share Posted December 22, 2019 Ignor colins idea he has had keyhole work , theres a draft coming through needs flap fitting Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted December 22, 2019 Report Share Posted December 22, 2019 I've had the dressings changed, it looks nothing like a keyhole, looks more like the bit the medication makes it seem I'm talking out of. AND there are three of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted December 22, 2019 Report Share Posted December 22, 2019 Aha wrong holes so its not 3 key holes and draft its ?..Wind If you can talk out of them 2 is stereo whats 3? No tennis then !!! Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted December 22, 2019 Report Share Posted December 22, 2019 Oh dear! Oh dear! Nurse! Nurse! NURSE!!! db Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyman Posted December 22, 2019 Report Share Posted December 22, 2019 5 hours ago, Colin Lindsay said: I've had the dressings changed, it looks nothing like a keyhole, looks more like the bit the medication makes it seem I'm talking out of. AND there are three of them. Maybe they lost the key Colin and had to break in instead??? Those painkillers sound like the ones i used to take, morphine based. Tony. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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