Extending Starter Cable

[Palomino]

Hello all,

I just bought a new Evinrude 40hp Etec -- motor isnt even installed yet -- and I want to extend the starter cables from the motor on the back of the boat to the battery compartment on the front of the boat. My question is how do I figure out what guage cable I need to use for this? I would be extending the cable about 14 feet.

Any help appreciated!

Mike

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Extending Starter Cable

#4 gauge wire will do the job. Run continuous wire and don't splice anywhere..

 

[drewpster]

Re: Extending Starter Cable

Agreed, I verified it using a wiresizer program. #4 with 105c insulation as a single cable or a single pair is good at 100 amps. Be sure to use marine grade. No offense rick, just wanted to try out my wiresizer.

 

[cjames]

Re: Extending Starter Cable

Wiresizer? hmmm, where does one aquire the wiresizer software?

 

[drewpster]

Re: Extending Starter Cable

Do a google search for the term Wiresizer. Or try the link below. It is free shareware offered by Alden Trull, a noted maritime electrical engineer.

http://www.midcoast.com/~aft/

 

[jtexas]

Re: Extending Starter Cable

I hate it when I ask "how" and the answer is "don't", but I'll throw this out there, just in case: have you given some thought to the pounding the battery will take in the bow as opposed to in the stern, and also the weight/balance implications?