Running 2gauge wire through firewall....

[Tim88XJ]

I am going to mount one o these :http://www.overtons.com/graphics/products/large/37307L.jpg

somewhere inside of my Jeep. I will be using 2g welding cable and need to run it through the firewall. I read somewhere right under the overflow/pressure bottle there is a good place. I will be picking up some good grommets, I just need a place where I can route the wires into the cabin.

Also, using 2gauge wire I shouldn't loose too much power over the run to the interior and back should I? Im not running a winch or anything like that. Let me know, Tim

[satan]

Are you gonna run full battery disconnect, or everything except the starter (it'd actually be pretty easy to go either way) --

2AWG properly connected and junk for 8-feet (4 in and 4 out) should be fine in most circumstances - you could get by with thinner if you went without a full disconnect. Somewhat heavier cable may be something to consider just for the additional performance margin however...

I can't vouch for the firewall location, but there should be a section of clear firewall above the air-handler on the passenger's side, there are some spaces kinds "behind" the air handler at the passenger's feet that may be viable as well

[Tim88XJ]

To run a full disconnect I would have to run a wire in to the switch and 2 back out right (one to the main power distribution and one to the starter) The reason I am doing this is b/c I have an electrical drain in the Jeep. As long as the drain isn't in the starting circuit there shouldn't be a problem with keeping the starter wired directly to the battery should there? Let me know, Tim


Originally posted by satan
Are you gonna run full battery disconnect, or everything except the starter (it'd actually be pretty easy to go either way) --

2AWG properly connected and junk for 8-feet (4 in and 4 out) should be fine in most circumstances - you could get by with thinner if you went without a full disconnect. Somewhat heavier cable may be something to consider just for the additional performance margin however...

I can't vouch for the firewall location, but there should be a section of clear firewall above the air-handler on the passenger's side, there are some spaces kinds "behind" the air handler at the passenger's feet that may be viable as well

[Bender]

Here are some pics of where I ran my cables through to the engine bay from the passenger area

http://community.webshots.com/photo/67867694/69797589udoWGC
http://community.webshots.com/photo/67867694/69797551yDOrgZ

And this is where I mounted my master switch

http://community.webshots.com/photo/67867694/69797555DvAQwD

I'd recommend finding your power drain though, disconnecting your battery to the aux circuit every time will reset your clocks, programmed radio stations and such.

[LT1XJ]

I used to run a 2g power wire back to my battery. I was always a bit leary of a constant hot wire running through my jeep without a fuse. I now use the 2g for the starter with a solenoid mounted in the back so that no power is going through it unless the starter is starting. Then I run an 8g to the alternator with a fused link. I was not sure about 8g for the wire, bu after talking with a few people about it, I found that 8g is plenty anything more, the battery can't keep up with anyways, and that is all the 8g is for, charging. Most of my accessories run off a distribution right off the alternator. It works well.
Dustin

[Matt]

This is how I did mine - I would go with a stouter kill switch though - that one gives me the willies with the exposed terminals and small contact area :eek:

Any how I went through the fire wall at the pass tunnel bulge for the starter and run ~14ft of cable each way 2/0 battery cable...

http://home.off-road.com/~wanderingwillys/xjpics/Battery_Relocation/battery_cable6.JPG

Cable routing,
http://home.off-road.com/~wanderingwillys/xjpics/Battery_Relocation/battery_cable1.JPG

Underseat bulkhead,
http://home.off-road.com/~wanderingwillys/xjpics/Battery_Relocation/battery_cable3.JPG

Kill switch (these are sold at West Marine ~20$)
http://home.off-road.com/~wanderingwillys/xjpics/Battery_Relocation/switch2.JPG

and finally the battery's new home:
http://home.off-road.com/~wanderingwillys/xjpics/Battery_Relocation/battery2.JPG

HTH :D

Matt

[GSequoia]

I'll try to get a picture for you soon...but I put an aux. fuse panel in the back of mine. Used 2g run on the passenger side. I put my hole kinda high on the firewall about 6" above whwere it bends rearward.

I got the grommet at a marine shop, was nice..was a PITA to get it in then to run the cable without pulling th f'n grommet out!

I ran the cable by pushing it from the engine bay, pushed it though about 18" then ran around to the inside to catch it and guide it. Wasn't too bad.

Sequoia