ahoy mini folks,
After a slight mishap over the weekend where i melted my battery cable onto my exhaust under the car while test driving it around the block. It started shorting the battery as it was earthing, I am in need of a new cable that runs from the battery to the point where it joins that terminal in the engine bay (it has a name that i cant remember right now)

Ive got a couple of questions,

1. can i use that thick (about pinky finger thick) power cable that is used for large audio amp installs as a new battery cable?

and 2. is there any legal reason as to why i cant route the cable through the inside of the car and out through the firewall instead of underneath?

thanks for your time
stay rad
trent

_________________

1. Audio cable.
Dont use it.
Go to an auto electrian or similar Auto supplier and get a cable made of equivilant or better amp rating.
Too small and will overload cable during starting.

2 If cable is long enough running inside wouldn't be an issue.
(Dont know about legality though.)
Cheers Rob.

_________________
82 BJ42 just completed resto
64 850 Modified(about to start rebuild)

got a couple of preloved ones here

_________________
65 panel van Sprog
73 panel van Iggy

If the cable is run correctly I am surprised how it could touch the exhaust?

_________________
1969 Cooper "S"
1967 Mini Deluxe
1973 Clubman Van (the fleet spare)
1978 ex 1275 LS ("Wizard" Eaton Supercharged)
2015 HSV GenF GTS(occasional drive & tow car)
2019 MINI F55 Cooper S

On an 850 (and maybe early Deluxe etc? can't remember) it runs along a flange inside the tunnel...

You could use 35 or 50mm² welding cable, it's double insulated, neoprene outer sheath, available from industrial welding supply shops by the metre.

Starter cable needs to be multistrand flexible stuff, not HD industrial building wire....

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

It is an early 850 body (62) and the cable wasnt run correctly as in my excitement to have the car actually running again i had forgotten to bend the retaining clips over the cable near where it is in close proximity to the exhaust. A few spirited turns was enough for it to touch and stick and melt.
Its a lesson learnt.

_________________

I run mine inside on the Mini Van along the inside driver side sill (via a cut out switch mounted at the base of the driver's seat) then up through a hole in the parcel shelf and out through the firewall into the engine bay. Come to think of it, the battery itself is inside too.

_________________
Slide
1965 Mini Van (1360)
1970 Mk2 Cooper S (1310)
1978 Rover SD1 V8 (4.6)
1996 Land Rover Discovery V8 (4.0)

My 63 850 has the cable running through the inside, up through the drivers side C pillar along the roof internal gutter and down the A pillar and through the firewall. Been that way for 10 years with no problems, (removed 5 years ago and inspected and it was in perfect condition).

_________________
Respect mine and I'll respect yours.