Battery wire gage

tav

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 8, 2008
Messages
239
I got all the answers but one......just installed a 55 12v power drive. ...changing 8 ga.wire to 6 with a 60 amp breaker. That being said do I need to upgrade my wires from the battery to the breaker at all ?
 

gm280

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 26, 2011
Messages
14,605
That is a good question. And the answer is, it depends. It depends on how far is the breaker from the battery. If only a few inches, no need. But if it is a lot longer, I would change the wire as well. JMHO!
 

NYBo

Admiral
Joined
Oct 23, 2008
Messages
7,107
If 60 amps would cause undue/dangerous heating of the wire, it should be upgraded regardless of length. If not, a short length will have little impact so you could leave it. Personally, I would upgrade it.
 

tav

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 8, 2008
Messages
239
just took out the old 8 ga and 40 amp breaker ......the positive from breaker is less then a foot
 
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