Extending trolling motor wire.

[nightstalker]

I have a Minn Kota 30 Endura that I need to lengthen the battery wire on. The owner's manual says to use 6 gauge wire to extend the length. The present wire on the motor is about 8 gauge. Is there a reason they want you to use a larger gauge wire when extending the length? <br />Stalker

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Extending trolling motor wire.

Night, Resistance of a wire increases proportionally with length. It is likely that using 8 ga wire for longer than the orig cables, will cause a voltage drop at the motor. This will degrade performance. Since the manufacturer doesn't know how long you are going to make your cables, they recommend thicker cable to compensate.

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Extending trolling motor wire.

I only had to increase the length by 3 feet, but I went with the 6 gauge. Thanks for the info.<br />Stalker

 

[jlinder]

Re: Extending trolling motor wire.

As the resistance of the wire increases the voltage drop increases. As a result you get less voltage delivered to the motor.<br /><br />The difference in cost for 3 feet of wire is a cheap solution.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Extending trolling motor wire.

About 2 years ago I rewired my 16' Alum. fish boat. Picked up a set of auto battery jumper cables at Walmart. 18' X 4 gauge wires. CHEAP. Ran wires from the battery in bow to 28 hp on stern. Sweet, no voltage drop on cranking. Use the jumpers and the ringed lugs for a first class job. Red and black are molded together.

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Extending trolling motor wire.

Using 6 gauge was no problem except that I went all over town looking for 6 gauge butt connections with no luck. They also said the crimping tool for 6 gauge cost a gazillion dollars. I finally used these new big twist type for underground, marine, waterproof wire with some kind of gunk inside to seal the unit. I'm still going to try to find the 6 gauge butt connectors but I tried it today and it seemed OK. I lost some speed according to my GPS but it could have been the tide.<br />Stalker

 

[harrisg]

Re: Extending trolling motor wire.

I went to NAPA Auto Parts and they had the butt connectors, 6 guage wire and large in-line fuse holder for my 60Amp fuse. I brought my trolling motor to them and they put together everything with a big crimping tool and only charged $6.00. There was no need for me to buy any tools.

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Extending trolling motor wire.

Went to NAPA. They wouldn't crimp the 6 gauge. They wanted $140 for the tool. I'm not spending that kind of $ for a one time shot. The twist connectors I used are holding fine, but I don't see how they can attain as good a connection as a butt connector. <br /> Stalker

 

[harrisg]

Re: Extending trolling motor wire.

I guess I am lucky to have a NAPA that did that for me. The tool they used on the butt and ring 6 guage connectors was a frame which had a large pin going through the middle. They put the connector under the pin and hit the pin with a small sledge hammer. Voila, a crimped connector. I'll bet that this type of tool could be made by drilling a hole in a 4x4 piece of wood and inserting a short piece of 1/4 to 3/8 in round metal rod. Strip the wire, put the connector and wire under the rod, hit it with the sledge and it should crimp the connector. The NAPA guy did this on a concrete floor.<br /><br />This is only an idea so if you put a hole in you floor, don't blame me, lol.

 

[imported_bjs]

Re: Extending trolling motor wire.

try raido shack i bought 6 gauge wire there.as for crimping the wire i had a tool but i dont think i paid that much forthat tool. they may have those butt connectors that you melt with a cig. lighter with the glue inside bought some off internetcant remember website.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Extending trolling motor wire.

I have used a medium vise as a crimping tool for up to #2 wire for 40 years and never had a hot or failed connection. Put the skinned wire in the lug and squeeze it very tight. DON"T use a pipe or anything. Only your hand pressure. A few neat wraps to cover any copper wire showing and your done. A light pull on the tape, no stretching it to he##. Be fine.---edit----Spend all your money on the premium tape roll. It will NOT unwind in 6 months in a boat.

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Extending trolling motor wire.

Originally posted by cyclops2:<br /> I have used a medium vise as a crimping tool for up to #2 wire for 40 years and never had a hot or failed connection. Put the skinned wire in the lug and squeeze it very tight. DON"T use a pipe or anything. Only your hand pressure. A few neat wraps to cover any copper wire showing and your done. A light pull on the tape, no stretching it to he##. Be fine.---edit----Spend all your money on the premium tape roll. It will NOT unwind in 6 months in a boat.

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Extending trolling motor wire.

Originally posted by cyclops2:<br /> I have used a medium vise as a crimping tool for up to #2 wire for 40 years and never had a hot or failed connection. Put the skinned wire in the lug and squeeze it very tight. DON"T use a pipe or anything. Only your hand pressure. A few neat wraps to cover any copper wire showing and your done. A light pull on the tape, no stretching it to he##. Be fine.---edit----Spend all your money on the premium tape roll. It will NOT unwind in 6 months in a boat.

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Extending trolling motor wire.

Cyclop:<br /> When you use the vise , are you squeezing he ends of the wires inside a butt connector?<br />Stalker

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Extending trolling motor wire.

I ended up wrapping about an inch of the #6 wire with 5 or 6 wraps of the # 8 (about an inch). Then, I squeezed the wrapped wire onto the #6 with pliers. I sphrink rapped the two wires together twice and it seems to be working fine.<br />stalker

 

[artherm]

Re: Extending trolling motor wire.

I found #6 Butt connectors at an Electrical Wholesale House. The guys that sell to electrical contractors. I crimped the connectors the best I could with my crimpers, then I soldered the connections with a high wattage soldering gun. Cleaned everything, and wrapped with electrical tape. Been working fine for years.I also purchased the wire from the house, you can purchase by the foot however as much as you want.I covered everything with the plastic split wire mould for a neat appearance.

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Extending trolling motor wire.

I did the same thing with the jumpercables as cyclops on my 14'jonboat. I fanned out the wires on both the jumper and the TM wire, meshed them together and soldered the heck out of them with a mini torch. Then I painted that liquid tape over the wires, wrapped it with electrical tape and secured it under the deck with wire ties/anchors.<br /><br />So far, my boat has not burst into flames.<br /><br />spots