24 volt Trolling motor - 10 ga. stranded wire?

**storminyoung** · 06-12-2012, 08:16 AM

Just upgraded to a new MK 70lb.\24V. Trolling motor to replace the 36lb./12V. on my (new to me) pontoon. I know on my old Tracker, my 55lb.\12V. T.M. ran 10ga. Stranded from the rear to the front, so when I was looking to upgrade my new rig, I went ahead and bought 8ga. stranded to replace what was on the pontoon originally (10ga.). I pull my new T.M. out of box and the factory wiring is only 10ga., I thought for sure it was gonna need a heavier gauge wire than that. I havent ran my new wire yet, and was just gonna take it back, but, now I'm wondering if I shouldn't just go ahead and replace the boats wiring and possibly even the T.M. harness. My ques. is, do you guys think the shorter length that will be used from the T.M. to the plug (@3') will o.k. to use with the smaller ga. or will it get too hot or cause me other issues?

**Barnacle Bill** · 06-12-2012, 08:41 AM

What is the distance from the batteries to the trolling motor?

**storminyoung** · 06-12-2012, 08:46 AM

Front to rear Distance is approx. 17', wire length is probably 18', considering the way it runs under the deck.

**Barnacle Bill** · 06-12-2012, 09:55 AM

Using 18' voltage drop for 10 gauge is 1.553 volts which is too much. 8 gauge is 0.976 volts. A little high but acceptable. 6 gauge is 0.614 volts and would be ideal.

**CatFan** · 06-12-2012, 10:57 AM

The 10 is fine on the TM harness itself.

**Badgerloader** · 06-12-2012, 12:03 PM

I strongly recommend 6 ga. also. Regular 6 ga. stranded is fairly stiff. There is a 6 ga. welding wire that has finer strands of wire and is easier to work with.