Electrical ground NEG (-) question

Cruiserhead · 10-04-2010, 03:45 PM

I am wiring up my fusebox and have a couple questions:

1. Is the length of the NEG ground cable important? (for some reason, I thought shorter is better--but I don't know why)

2. Grounding to the motor or body-- is one better than the other?

3. Does it matter if the NEG cable is quite a bit longer than the + cable or vice-versa?

Thanks guys

bulldog · 10-04-2010, 03:53 PM

Length is not so much of an issue. Just compensate for longer length with thicker wire appropriate to the amps (current) that needs to go over the wire.

It is best to ground both the engine and body, engine mostly for the starter (but also electrical connections), body for most everything else.

Handy site to see what cable to use and also voltage drop for different lengths with different cable sizes.
http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm

Cruiserhead · 10-04-2010, 03:59 PM

So grounding the fusebox to a bolt in the body is more desirable ?(rather than using a bolt on the engine)

thanks for the link

bulldog · 10-04-2010, 05:10 PM

Yes, if the fusebox will supply power to body utilities like Radio, fridge, etc.

10-04-2010, 03:45 PM	#1
Cruiserhead Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,574	Electrical ground NEG (-) question I am wiring up my fusebox and have a couple questions: 1. Is the length of the NEG ground cable important? (for some reason, I thought shorter is better--but I don't know why) 2. Grounding to the motor or body-- is one better than the other? 3. Does it matter if the NEG cable is quite a bit longer than the + cable or vice-versa? Thanks guys

10-04-2010, 03:53 PM	#2
bulldog Admin Join Date: May 2005 Location: Walnut Creek, CA Posts: 12,318	Length is not so much of an issue. Just compensate for longer length with thicker wire appropriate to the amps (current) that needs to go over the wire. It is best to ground both the engine and body, engine mostly for the starter (but also electrical connections), body for most everything else. Handy site to see what cable to use and also voltage drop for different lengths with different cable sizes. http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm __________________ andries K9BDG 2019 Low Rider

10-04-2010, 05:10 PM	#4
bulldog Admin Join Date: May 2005 Location: Walnut Creek, CA Posts: 12,318	Yes, if the fusebox will supply power to body utilities like Radio, fridge, etc. __________________ andries K9BDG 2019 Low Rider

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10-04-2010, 03:59 PM	#3
Cruiserhead Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,574	So grounding the fusebox to a bolt in the body is more desirable ?(rather than using a bolt on the engine) thanks for the link