wire sizes

[gpfishingdude]

I was wondering if there is a list of wire sizes needed for everything that we normally have wired in on the pontoon boat. I know there will be some slight differences caused by the length of run but there should be some common sizes required too because of the amps required for the item wired in. For example I know that navigation and anchor lights draw very little amps so 14 or even 16 ga. wires would do for them. Where I would want a little heavier gage for a live well pump and heavier yet for an anchor winch. I know that I have to use common sense for the main wires between batteries and other places that might have a higher draw and maybe for wires that run the length of the boat. I am not against using wire that might be a size too big, I just don't want to use a size too small. Thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: wire sizes

Primary feed (battery to fuse or breaker panel) is #8 or #10. Branch circuits (fuse'breaker panel) to most devices are well under 10 amps so 16 gauge is adequate (lights, blige pump, live well pump, etc). Above 10 - 15 amps you want 14 gauge. 15 - 20 amps you want 12 gauge. Instrument wiring should be no bigger than 16 gauge because of the number of connections, bend radius of wiring and ability to create a neat bundle.

 

[gpfishingdude]

Re: wire sizes

Thanks! If things go well for us this week. Testing the boat out and registration. I think the first thing I will do is buy a good cover to keep the boat clean and then start buying components to start my wiring. So far all I have wired is the motor wiring and the fish finder. My wife will help me figure out everything we will need on the boat and where I can put things. If I learn enough by then I might even add a plug in battery charging system that will charge multiple batteries and isolate them from each other during use.