Can't remember exactly offhand, but they're generally braided 'open' cables going beteween motor and gearbox and chassis and the battery earth cable.
As you started it and ran for a short while I'd now look more to the state of the battery and also the alternator as actually starting suggests the earths are good or at least acceptable. You say the instruments stopped after a minute, but you ran it for 15 minutes, explain? or did you run it without instruments. Ticking over? or drove it round?
How long was the battery flat for before you recharged it and how long did you charge it for? What size battery and amp ratings, and what amp for the battery charger?