Splice 6" leads to connect trolling receptacle with smaller wire?

[retrorocket]

I am installing a Minn Kota PD trolling motor in the bow with a Marinco ConnectPro plug and socket. I am running 6 gauge wire to the trolling battery in stern.<br /><br />The ConnectPro socket only accepts up to 8 gauge wire. You can buy an adapter to connect 6 gauge for $15. This will also make the socket so deep that I have to mount it in the deck facing up instead of on a vertical surface.<br /><br />Would it be reasonable to butt splice 6" leads of 8 gauge wire on to my 6 gauge wire to connect to the receptacle?<br /><br />Thanks for your help!<br />Randy

 

[retrorocket]

Re: Splice 6" leads to connect trolling receptacle with smaller wire?

A quick follow-up: in thinking about this some more, I am more confused... The motor comes with a 4' lead of 10 gauge wire. How can that be? 10 gauge wire is not safe for 50A current is it? And, given that the motor comes with 4' of 10 gauge and I am cutting off 3' and adding the plug, then I am essentially replacing 3' of 10 gauge with 6" of 8 gauge. That seems obviously safer/better, right?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Splice 6" leads to connect trolling receptacle with smaller wire?

By shortening your trolling motor cable by three feet you are not altering the fact that the 10 gauge wire on the trolling motor is the weakest spot in the entire link. By adding six inches of 8 gauge does not make the 10 gauge any safer. If its gonna get hot its the 10 gauge that gets hot. Splice in as much 8 gauge as you like.

 

[jheron]

Re: Splice 6" leads to connect trolling receptacle with smaller wire?

A 30A time delay fuse or even better a 30a dc breaker will protect the #10 wire.<br />You can buy crimp on posts that will reduce your #6 to about a #10 they work great and don't reduce the ampacity of the connection... any local electrical supply house can order them for ya.<br />Thats better IMO than adding another splice in the cct.<br />Regards Jon

 

[crab bait]

Re: Splice 6" leads to connect trolling receptacle with smaller wire?

it's like a 20 amp house circut..# 12 wire the whole way.. an then you plug a lamp that is only 20 ga.. <br /><br />that doesn't seem right,, but it is..<br /><br />it's the main lenght that has to be beefy.. for amperage pull, voltage drop ,ect.. <br /><br />the last few feet of smaller gauge doesn't factor in,,an still would still be overload protected at 50/60 amp.. <br /><br />what you want to do is good.. no worries..

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Splice 6" leads to connect trolling receptacle with smaller wire?

10 ga works on 30 amp ckts like in your house. Couple of things to consider there, length, heatrise due to location, temp rating of the wiring insulation, and duty factor.<br /><br />The only thing you fight in wiring (with respect to the subject matter) is wiring resistance which goes up dramatically with temp. <br /><br />To get the temp up you need amps x time. reduce either, and you reduce your opportunity to overheat.<br /><br />First of all How many amps does your trolling motor pull, and how long are you running at that amperage? Then if you were to get the temp up, how fast can it dissipate? You can bet the trolling mfgrs (Motor Guide - Minn Kota) know their limitations and have sized their wiring appropriately.<br /><br />What they don't know, is how far your trolling motor is going to be from the batteries. Boat mfgr's apparently use 6 ga as a norm. Now do you need 6 ga in your application? Only measuring your actual conditions would you know.<br /><br />My 2c<br /><br />Mark

 

[retrorocket]

Re: Splice 6" leads to connect trolling receptacle with smaller wire?

Wow, Thanks for all the input!<br /><br />jheron, I like the idea of the crimp on posts. Are those like the crimp pin speaker connectors for hi end audio? Can I order those online somewhere?<br /><br />Another idea, what if I strip the 6 gauge wire, and just cut off individual wire strands until I could fit in the 8 gauge hole? Basicly turn the 6 gauge wire into 8 gauge right at the receptacle?<br /><br />Thanks again<br /><br />Randy

 

[jheron]

Re: Splice 6" leads to connect trolling receptacle with smaller wire?

"cut off individual wire strands until I could fit"<br />We call that giving it a hair cut... It will work, but it is the work of a butcher <br />I am sure you can find the reducers online but your best bet is an electrical supplier... one in every town... (yellow pages under electrical wholesale and supply give them a shout)<br />Regards Jon<br />P.S. I have given the odd haircut in a pinch whithout any problems ... shhhh... don't tell...

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Splice 6" leads to connect trolling receptacle with smaller wire?

Your idea about the 6 ga to 8 has merit. It's not a problem<br /><br />Just look at the size of a 10 amp 3ag fuse conductor and a #16 gauge wire that will carry 10 amps continuously. Fuse wire is significantly smaller/thinner, yet it will hold the 10 amps day in and day out.... Why?<br /><br />The differnce is wire length.aka circuit resistance. So since your reduction is short in length it will go unnoticed.<br /><br />Mark

 

[retrorocket]

Re: Splice 6" leads to connect trolling receptacle with smaller wire?

Thanks again everyone.<br /><br />-Randy