Battery Cable Length

[blueoval1]

I am relocating my main battery and a additional battery for my new trolling motor to midship location. I am running Optima Blue Tops for both batteries.
I need to run 12' from my battery switch to the new location of the batteries.
I am looking for opinions on what size cable to use.
Any help would be great!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Battery Cable Length

The cable must be at least a gauge or two bigger than the cables currently going to the engine -- and you are not going to like the price. Because of the distance involved, voltage drop becomes a problem. If the cable you added was the same size as the battery cable you would lose too much voltage over the longer run. Therefore you need to upsize the cable.

 

[blueoval1]

Re: Battery Cable Length

I realize it is going to cost , but I need to move the batteries forward for weight issues. Got any idea what size to run? I am pretty sure the existing cables to the main battery are 6ga.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Battery Cable Length

6 ga sounds small.
I've got #4 in my OMC 4.3
But if it's working for ya - go to at least #4 if not #2

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Battery Cable Length

If you have 6 gauge battery cables on a 4.3 they are way too small. Heck I use 6 gauge wire on my trolling motor. Agree on at least #4 and more likely #2 since you have such a long distance to run. And that distance is figured round trip so if the battery is 10 feet way, round trip is 20 feet. Wire gauge must calculated accordingly based on maximum current draw to avoid excessive voltage drop. There are many tables on the web to help you determine this. Just google "ampacity charts"

 

[hard-3]

Re: Battery Cable Length

get welding cable from welding supply for battery cables ,solder on lugs

 

[fwmud]

Re: Battery Cable Length

Wire size is VERY important!
Your connections are also key as was just said.
If you go solder(My favorite. wire "sees" no joint in solder joint) Make sure to clean striped wire ends and clean connectors. Use a good soldering flux brushed into strands of welding cable.
This will insure a very good connection. Also, buy some heavy "heat shrink" tubing to go over connections.
In electrity, BIgger is alsways better.