8 ga to 10 ga stepdown wire connector?

[natedog337]

is there a reason why you would wire 8ga battery wire from the battery for 25 feet to a control breaker cabinet where the 8 ga wire is stepped down to a 10ga wire with a connector. Then the 10ga wire runs for 2 feet and is connected to the boat's circuit breaker. why wouldnt the 8 ga wire run the whole route and connect to the circuit breaker directly. Just wondering the thinking on this since it was done in my boat from the manufacturer. Seems lazy and like they were cutting corners but im no expert with anything electric..

 

[Don S]

Re: 8 ga to 10 ga stepdown wire connector?

It probably was 8 ga. all the way to the panel when new. Sounds like a repair and someone didn't have the right size wire.
Did you buy the boat new? Doesn't really sound like something any manufacturer would do.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: 8 ga to 10 ga stepdown wire connector?

I woild agree with Don. Doing this would cost a manufacturer more and take more time. So lazy and cutting corners doesn't work for an explaination.

 

[Grandad]

Re: 8 ga to 10 ga stepdown wire connector?

If original, the #8 was probably selected to provide less resistance/voltage drop over the 25' run, but many device terminals cannot accept a #8 AWG wire. Reducing to #10 AWG after running the length of the boat with #8 provides a workable solution without compromising line losses. - Grandad