Thread: Earth Point on TD5 engine

yeah of course! but it is barely 100mm or so run, so it's gauge size shouldn't be a problem.

That is, a 10mm cable over a 100mm length will still pass more current with less issues(voltage drop) than will a 16mm cable over >1m length. (I'm assuming that the winch earth lead will be about 2m from battery to winch).
And as long as the connection on the winch lead lug has a large enough surface area contact patch, it shouldn't be a problem.

ps. I'm not saying that a direct earth lead to the battery isn't the best option, obviously it is for such a high current device ... noting that it doesn't always draw 400amps all the time too tho.

It is good to get few ideas from people and their reasons for that process. Think things over and work out a solution.

I have decided to get a new battery terminal that can have two or more cables connected. Super Cheap Auto Barn +ve terminal may work, or the one posted by Fast Freddie. Easy enough for the winch earth as it is long enough, and could do with shortening. The factory earth may need a joiner to extend its length.
I'll end up with the factory earth and winch earth both connected to the -ve battery terminal. 400A here I come.

Originally Posted by Bohica

It is good to get few ideas from people and their reasons for that process. Think things over and work out a solution.

I have decided to get a new battery terminal that can have two or more cables connected. Super Cheap Auto Barn +ve terminal may work, or the one posted by Fast Freddie. Easy enough for the winch earth as it is long enough, and could do with shortening. The factory earth may need a joiner to extend its length.
I'll end up with the factory earth and winch earth both connected to the -ve battery terminal. 400A here I come.

Wise move
A winch can draw up to and inc 400 A when used in anger and that is not the time to find out your earth is insufficient in a situation as such

Maybe a solution.
Have a cable made up ( or take your cable to an auto electrician) with an eye to fit where the eye is bolted to the body near the battery and a battery terminal .
The OEM earth will then become redundant and can be folded aside.
You will have a good earth to the winch and a satisfactory earth for other functions.
Regards Philip A

Originally Posted by Bohica

.... Super Cheap Auto Barn +ve terminal may work, or the one posted by Fast Freddie. .....

Obviously you'll get a -ve twin post battery terminal, as a +ve battery terminal is larger(diameter).

The terminals on batteries are sized differently, so be 100% sure.

I'd reckon get something like THIS single stud clamp, get your std earth lead modded with a eye/lug on the end(removing the clamp), get a eye/lug end fitted to the winch earth lead too.
Cut the winch earth lead to size, and stack the eye's onto the one stud on the clamp in the link.

Simples, easy to remove when the need arises .. etc, etc.

As I posted in an earlier reply, I have the tools to do it if you need help, easy 10-15mins work.

If you really want to go to town on the battery setup, I'd reckon to rid yourself of the dastardly standard landrover positive terminal clamp too, and replace with eye/lugs and do the same with the clamp too.

Originally Posted by AK83

Obviously you'll get a -ve twin post battery terminal, as a +ve battery terminal is larger(diameter).

The terminals on batteries are sized differently, so be 100% sure.

I did not know that. You learn something new each day.

Originally Posted by AK83

As I posted in an earlier reply, I have the tools to do it if you need help, easy 10-15mins work.

Thanks, That could be useful.

Originally Posted by AK83

If you really want to go to town on the battery setup, I'd reckon to rid yourself of the dastardly standard landrover positive terminal clamp too, and replace with eye/lugs and do the same with the clamp too.

Good idea, mine is fully tight and it still rotates.

Originally Posted by Bohica

....


Good idea, mine is fully tight and it still rotates.

Yeah, same with brothers too, one of the reasons we made all the changes.

20180311_175738.jpg

These are the first types I got, not fully thinking it through properly.
Original +ve clamp still on the redtop(starter), but was changed once I had enough clamps, which I originally didn't(my maths was off by one when I got bits for him!)

The two front clamps(-ve on the yellow, and -ve on the red) were changed for slimmer(lower) types, as the wingnuts only just missed touching the bonnet insulation by a beesknacker.
The new lower front clamps now give about 10mm clearance between themselves and the bonnet insulation.

Don't have a photo of the changed original +ve clamp, but I used the one off the yellowtop in this image.
std earth lead was pretty crappy on his too, the strands of copper getting very thin, and had to be cut back to get some good meat onto the new eyelet.