Battery wire length - OK to run different lengths?

[lostrack]

Hi all,

I need to extend some battery cables. Not by much, and I have caps in-line.

Can you confirm if it's OK to run these at different lengths (positive longer than negative) and (1 battery positive longer than the other positive, wired in serial?)

Cheers in advance

[dogman]

Cant see why it would matter. Thick enough wire of course.

[inkeeper77]

Different lengths usually correspond to different resistances, more resistance the longer it is, and the best solution for this has the least resistance. However, these are minute resistances, usually a few milliohms at the most, so you really dont even need to think about them. (You cannot get much better at all without spending a LOT of money, and it wouldnt be anything near practical)) If you are nervous, check the longer wires with a multimeter to make sure they arent too resistive.

I would personally simply run the largest gauge wire I could, or double the wire up, but it really shouldn't be needed.

As far as somewhat different lengths, on my own projects (as opposed to anything I might sell, ever) I get lazy and do not even really measure wires, so no two wires are the same length exactly.

[Rassy]

I have my Watts Up meter at the front axle of the trike. Only the negative battery wire makes the round trip, with just a secondary positive wire to run the meter. No noticeable problem.

[chilledoutuk]

ultimately the negative and positive cables on a battery when in use are in series to each other in the circuit so one being longer than the other wont make a difference.

[lostrack]

Cool - thanks all