10ga wire for Minn Kota 45lb PowerDrive V2

[Zq8 Blazer]

I just purchased a PowerDrive V2 45lb thrust. The wire on the motor is 10ga and I was wondering if there would be a problem with me running 10ga from the motor to the back of the boat approx 20' of wire. I already have the 10ga wire so if there's no problem using it then that would be great.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: 10ga wire for Minn Kota 45lb PowerDrive V2

I was wondering if there would be a problem with me running 10ga from the motor to the back of the boat approx 20' of wire.

There will be a problem as 10ga wire will have too much voltage drop. It's very common to use wire larger than the trolling motor leads, to minimize voltage drop.

10' of red wire and 10' of black wire, or 20' of each? (Need to know the total amount of wire, positive and negative.) For 20' of wire use 8ga, for 40' of wire use 6ga.

 

[Zq8 Blazer]

Re: 10ga wire for Minn Kota 45lb PowerDrive V2

I am going to run 20' of red and just ground the black to the boat at the battery and at the trolling motor plug. I ended up taking the 10ga plug/outlet that I had purchased back and got 8ga.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: 10ga wire for Minn Kota 45lb PowerDrive V2

Are you saying you are going to use the hull for a ground?

 

[Zq8 Blazer]

Re: 10ga wire for Minn Kota 45lb PowerDrive V2

Yes, it's an aluminum boat. Well not the actual hull, but some aluminum that connects to it.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: 10ga wire for Minn Kota 45lb PowerDrive V2

That is a very bad idea, run a negative return wire..

 

[Zq8 Blazer]

Re: 10ga wire for Minn Kota 45lb PowerDrive V2

Might I ask why it's a bad idea?

 

[mike243]

Re: 10ga wire for Minn Kota 45lb PowerDrive V2

Corrosion problems & also a shocking hazard ,safer in the long run to have a ground wire

 

[JB]

Re: 10ga wire for Minn Kota 45lb PowerDrive V2

It is unclear whether the battery is 10' away from the bow or 20'. You just can't use wire too big for a high current circuit. Use 6ga wire for both hot and ground and put a 40A breaker or fuse in the hot side close to the battery.

 

[Zq8 Blazer]

Re: 10ga wire for Minn Kota 45lb PowerDrive V2

Thanks. The battery is about 20' away from the bow.

 

[colbyt]

Re: 10ga wire for Minn Kota 45lb PowerDrive V2

I think it might be best to trust the guys who made the motor on this one since there is often mis-information on forums.

Minn Kota Motors

Please do notice that total wire run is out and back for the use of this table.

 

[Zq8 Blazer]

Re: 10ga wire for Minn Kota 45lb PowerDrive V2

Perfect! That's exactly what I have. Thanks!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 10ga wire for Minn Kota 45lb PowerDrive V2

You just said "That's exactly what I have." What is it you "exactly have". Your original post indicated you plan to use 10 gauge wire that is running 20 feet from the POSITIVE post on the battery that is 20 feet away from the motor. You also have another 20 feet from the motor back to the NEGATIVE terminal of battery. That makes a total circuit run of 40 feet. The chart says you need 4 gauge wire for that circuit length. Even if the circuit run was only 20 feet you would still need 8 gauge wire.

 

[gm280]

Re: 10ga wire for Minn Kota 45lb PowerDrive V2

Silvertip, it is sometimes very hard to explain to folks that have no knowledge of how electricity works and how big cables have to be to eliminate voltage drop to their trolling motors per the current draw. People just don't realize that only so much current can flow through certain size wires. I sometimes try to equate a water hose to the current flow situation... Same with the hose diameters too. Take a 25’ hose that is ?” in size (diameter) and measure the water pressure at the end. Then take a ?” hose and measure the water pressure at the end too. Both will read the exact same pressure. Now fill a five gallon bucket and time it with both hoses. See the differences...? Water pressure is basically the same as voltage. And water flow is equal to current...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 10ga wire for Minn Kota 45lb PowerDrive V2

Silvertip, it is sometimes very hard to explain to folks that have no knowledge of how electricity works and how big cables have to be to eliminate voltage drop to their trolling motors per the current draw. People just don't realize that only so much current can flow through certain size wires. I sometimes try to equate a water hose to the current flow situation... Same with the hose diameters too. Take a 25’ hose that is ?” in size (diameter) and measure the water pressure at the end. Then take a ?” hose and measure the water pressure at the end too. Both will read the exact same pressure. Now fill a five gallon bucket and time it with both hoses. See the differences...? Water pressure is basically the same as voltage. And water flow is equal to current...

Your preaching to the choir. I merely asked what it was "Exactly He Had" and explained what he needed so that once again we can get back on track. It is very apparent he didn't understand the chart which is the reason for my question. You don't have to explain current flow to me.

 

[gm280]

Re: 10ga wire for Minn Kota 45lb PowerDrive V2

Your preaching to the choir. I merely asked what it was "Exactly He Had" and explained what he needed so that once again we can get back on track. It is very apparent he didn't understand the chart which is the reason for my question. You don't have to explain current flow to me.

Apparently you mistook my recent post as trying to explain voltage and current flow to you. However, if you reread my post I was merely stating that it is hard to explain to folks that don't know how electronics or electricity in general works. It wasn't directed it to you but to others that don't understand the concept. So I think you took it wrong... I was merely trying to post ideas so others may understand wire gauges and voltage drop... Sorry you read it wrong... I don't doubt for a minute that you know about electronics... :smile:

 

[Zq8 Blazer]

Re: 10ga wire for Minn Kota 45lb PowerDrive V2

Well I dont guess I did cause I have 8ga. I guess I can just move a battery to the front.