Lectric Limited's battery cables provide the finishing touch for any original or restored GM vehicle. These new battery cables are reproduced from the original factory blueprint specifications. Consequently, they pass all judging standards.

The Spring-Ring® and bolt-type battery cables are die-cast just as they were originally made, to give the correct appearance and durability.

Why has Lectric Limited invested in the tooling to develop its own line of reproduction battery cables? Because Lectric Limited is concerned about supplying restorers, as well as owners of daily driver cars, with the highest-quality product, at the best possible price.

The Truth about Battery Cables

How Lectric Limited makes battery cables
Not all battery cables are created equally. All our battery cables are manufactured as originally designed and manufactured, and meet or exceed the original manufacturer's specifications. When applicable, we make our battery cables and ground straps with the:
  1. Correct Spring-Ring® molded head with spring steel insert. Spring-Ring® is a registered trademark of Lectric Limited, Inc.
  2. Correct part number stamping.
  3. Correct cable type, gauge & color (black, red, or brown).
  4. Correct color over-molded terminal.
  5. Correct grommet.
  6. Correct braided copper strap material.

Battery cables, for the reproduction market, are a controversial issue when it comes to quality. Lectric Limited’s USA-made battery cables are produced with an eye toward quality. Therefore, in order to help our customers in the selection of battery cables, we've assembled a list of cable construction guidelines for you to use when evaluating battery cables. The technology employed in the production of battery cables may not be readily apparent when you first look at the cables. O.E.M. cable designs and Lectric Limited's reproduction designs address the following details:

Spring Steel Inserts (used on Spring-Ring® battery cables)

battery cable spring ring insert

To comply with original factory specifications, all our Spring-Ring® battery cables employ a quality spring steel insert molded directly within the lead terminal. The purpose of the insert is to maintain the shape of the battery post opening and to keep the lead from deforming upon repeated opening and closing of the lead terminal. This insert is molded into the lead terminal head. In some cases, such as in the original Spring-Ring® design, it is an integral part of the opening and closing operation and is quite visible. Most inexpensive battery cables, and cheap aftermarket replacements, do not employ this spring steel insert. Spring-Ring® is a registered trademark of Lectric Limited, Inc.

Lead Composition

The chemical composition of the lead is critical to the production and behavior of the lead terminal. Original factory specifications call for a very specific mix of elements in the composition of the lead terminals. This mix can affect the strength, brittleness, and appearance of the finished product. Bright lead indicates excellent mold quality and a recently molded product. However, all lead oxidizes and will turn dark over time.  To slow the oxidation process, you can apply a thin coat of dielectric grease to the outside of the battery cable terminals AFTER installation.  It is not recommended to apply this grease between the battery cable terminal -to- battery post contact area.  All Lectric Limited battery cables meet, or exceed, the original factory specifications for lead composition.

Wire Gauge

(Note: The lower the gauge number, the larger the diameter of the wire.  The larger the diameter of the wire, the more current the can handle without over-heating)  Many production battery cables were produced using 6 gauge wire. During the late 1950's and early 1960's, the demand on a vehicle's electrical system was not significant enough to warrant the use of a larger gauge wire. However, air conditioning, power seats, power windows, high compression motors, etc. placed greater demand on the electrical system and the battery itself. Original factory equipment was enhanced by heavy-duty charging system options. These systems employed 4 gauge and 2 gauge battery cables in production automobiles. In today's world, it is foolish to consider using a 6 gauge cable when a factory heavy-duty 4 gauge cable was available as an original equipment option. We don't "cheat" on wire gauge size. But beware of other company's that do by using "heavy wall" cable which is nothing more than extra-thick insulation over skinny 6 or even 8 gauge cable - made to look like a 4 gauge cable.

Wire Composition

While the wire gauge is important, the actual copper wire characteristics are also important. The copper wire within the cable is made up of a specific number of individual strands which must be of the correct gauge. These individual strands, bundled together, determine the current carrying capability of the cable. This is another one of those items that can't be seen from the outside, but play a critical part in the quality of the cable.  All Lectric Limited battery cables meet, or exceed, the original factory specifications for copper wire composition.

Wire Coatings

Most production battery cables were constructed with PVC coating, capable of withstanding a temperature range of -40 deg. F to 176 deg. F. This is acceptable for most applications. Unfortunately, there are different grades of PVC coatings that do not provide this wide range of protection. The difference is not detectable to the untrained eye. Wire coatings are available that provide protection from -60 deg. F to 275 deg. F that are only marginally more expensive to produce. These materials are being used today, and in some cases, were used in the 1970's. All Lectric Limited battery cables meet, or exceed, the original factory specifications for wire coatings.

Mold Quality

Simple things, like the removal of metal flashing, removal of mold partitioning lines, defined molded lettering, and the like, all contribute to the quality of the finished product. And even though the appearance of the product does not affect its functionality, there is no reason to compromise appearance for the sake of reducing the tooling costs of the product.  Our customers demand quality and that's what we deliver!

There are many more technical issues to be considered in the construction of battery cables which are beyond this basic discussion. The main point to consider is that compromises made in the product design and raw materials do, in fact, compromise the quality of the final product. Therefore, when you buy a cheap cable, you get a cheap cable. Let Lectric Limited be your supplier of quality battery cables and you won't be disappointed.

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