Moving Battery

[sublauxation]

I have a couple questions about moving a battery forward I was hoping you could help with on an aluminum boat. My last post on this was probably confusing. Thanks in advance.

First, Is there any problem with running the cables under the deck? Chances of them getting wet would be minimal except in the bilge area.

Also, my current cables are about 3 feet short. I have a perko battery selector. If I shorten the engine wiring harness I can just run a longer lead off the Perko switch. Can I also somehow use that Perko switch as a junction to lengthen the negative cable? There's an unused stud under the switch now for the 2nd battery and I was hoping to just by another battery cable and screw both to that stud to form a splice. I only use 1 battery anyway so the switch is pretty useless.

 

[reddogg]

Re: Moving Battery

No prob running them under the deck, just make sure they are marine grade and the jacketing is in good shape (be aware of possible chaffing, maybe run them thru a length of pvc pipe to act as a barrier). Personally I would just get longer cables, using the switch as a splice is just another possible failure point.

Red

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Moving Battery

Longer cables get kinda pricey and if for some reason I decide to move it back there would be a lot of wasted wire.

Any other recommendations on how best to splice 2 negative's together? I know splices aren't the best but cars run several splices on the positive cable, I don't know if there's a difference for the negative?

 

[reddogg]

Re: Moving Battery

Ok, when I was in the Navy we sometimes had to splice welding cable together. We used a big connector and connected it by hitting it with a hammer (kind of like a connector in a standard repair kit but much bigger and instead of a crimper use a hammer). You might find one at an electrical shop or maybe a welding supply shop. Another option would be to solder them together. If neither of those options is appealing, look for some sort of stainless steel clamp and just clamp the cables together.

Red

 

[12vMan]

Re: Moving Battery

Longer cables get kinda pricey and if for some reason I decide to move it back there would be a lot of wasted wire.

Any other recommendations on how best to splice 2 negative's together? I know splices aren't the best but cars run several splices on the positive cable, I don't know if there's a difference for the negative?

You can splice it at a block or connector. iboats has them here

Make sure as stated above that you run a chase for the wire, and attach firmly any block or connector you decide to use. Remember also that with more connections, or splices, and the farther away from the starter the battery is, you will need to compensate with a larger gauge wire.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Moving Battery

Would something like this power post work? I know more connections aren't the greatest but this can't be much different than the connections within a battery selector or a large inline fuse can it? Should I upsize the wire if I'm only adding about 3 feet in length?

http://www.iboats.com/Paneltronics-...4554623--**********.499979039--view_id.797839