what size wire to connect 2 12v deep cycle

[capndan]

I did several searches, and was unable to find a thread on this.

I'm connecting 2 12v deep cycle batteries to make a 24v for my trolling motor.

Connecting NEG from Battery 1 to POS into battery 2.

What size (guage) wire is appropriate. 10? I'm hoping 10, cuz I have 10.

Thanks,

Dan L

 

[royal0014]

Re: what size wire to connect 2 12v deep cycle

I might be wrong, but 10ga seems awful thin between two batts. I wouldn't use less than 4ga for a jumper.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: what size wire to connect 2 12v deep cycle

Here is proper 24 volt wiring so be careful what you call BAT 1 and BAT 2.

You need an absolute minimum of #6 gauge wire for that jumper. The actual size depends on the size of the trolling motor you have. The low end of the 24 trollers suck 42 - 46 amps. Bigger = more. Length of the run from the batteries to the motor and back to the batteries also results in a certain amount of voltage drop. Increasing wire size reduces those loses. Based on the limited into you provided thats the best we can do at this point.

 

[capndan]

Re: what size wire to connect 2 12v deep cycle

Max amp draw is 42 (Powerdrive V2- 70lb thrust)

Distance from motor to batteries is 5' (10' round trip)

Distance between the battery terminal is less than 6"..

thanks for the help!

Dan

 

[H20Rat]

Re: what size wire to connect 2 12v deep cycle

Just posted this in another thread, but useful here! (this is for 12 volts, so for 24 you can probably drop down one size from the listed)