Wire Size

[llfish]

Every time I charge my batteries I have to remove the tops to the battery boxes and that is a chore. So I am going to install two male plugs like the ones used on trolling motors someplace not sure yet where that will be. The add a female plug to my battery charger. Worse case I would run the wires 17 ft. What size wire would I use??<br /><br />Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Wire Size

What size and type is your charger?

 

[llfish]

Re: Wire Size

12 volt 10 amp dual function will charge deep cycle and maintenance free batteries.<br /><br />I was going to use 14 gage but wanted to check to be on the safe side.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Wire Size

I'm sorry, I ment to ask if the battery charger was an electronic, automatic charger or a old style manual one. If you use too light a guage with an electronic one, it'll get confused.

 

[llfish]

Re: Wire Size

new style with the electronic cycling mode

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Wire Size

For an electronic one, you would want at least #8 over that distance. Remeber, you're going to need to fuse it (15A fuse would be good) within 7" of the battery. The electronic cycling ones judge which cycle they need to be in by tenths of volts, so it's very important to keep the resistance as low as possible so they can 'see' the battery voltage.

 

[llfish]

Re: Wire Size

Paul thanks for the help. I was only off by a mile.<br />Thanks again<br /><br />Larry

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Wire Size

No problem. #14 would be fine for an old fashioned type charger were we don't care about voltage drop. There's also an ABYC rule about nothing less than #16 for the application. But that's a moot point when we're talking about the electronic ones.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Wire Size

I'm sorry Grumpy Old Fish, I misread your first post! This is a 10 amp TOTAL charger? (5 amps per battery?) If that's the case, #12 would be fine.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wire Size

Whatever style connector you use, make certain the end you install in the boat has a cover or that the male pins are protected when the charger is not connected. If the male pins contact metal you will have a very sparky experience.

 

[llfish]

Re: Wire Size

The male plugs have rubber cap that goes over them. So I will not have a big spark or loud bang.<br /><br />Thanks for the concern.