Connecting #6 wire to #10 on trolling motor?

Putting this on a boat that didn't have a TM. TM instructions say to run #6 wire. Got the TM out of the box and it has #10 leads. I need to splice the two together so I ordered a connector from Cabelas. It's a connector similar to what you might see on a golf cart or forklift, not a plug and receptacle that mounts permanently. It also has little connectors inside it that have to be soldered on the wires.

Here's my question: The plugs/receptacles I've looked at have small wiring, no bigger than #10 on them. Can I use something that small in line with the #6 coming from the batteries? If so, how do you make the connections? Butt connectors aren't big enough. Maybe get the splice kits with set screws from Lowe's etc? I have a 60A circuit breaker and it seems like you wouldn't want to splice #10 wire into a circuit protected by a 60A CB.

The reason I don't make a permanent splice is my I-pilot book says you have to unplug the TM when not in use or it drains the battery. I need something I can disconnect easily.

Got any thoughts on this?

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Originally Posted by MCF

Putting this on a boat that didn't have a TM. TM instructions say to run #6 wire. Got the TM out of the box and it has #10 leads. I need to splice the two together so I ordered a connector from Cabelas. It's a connector similar to what you might see on a golf cart or forklift, not a plug and receptacle that mounts permanently. It also has little connectors inside it that have to be soldered on the wires.

Here's my question: The plugs/receptacles I've looked at have small wiring, no bigger than #10 on them. Can I use something that small in line with the #6 coming from the batteries? If so, how do you make the connections? Butt connectors aren't big enough. Maybe get the splice kits with set screws from Lowe's etc? I have a 60A circuit breaker and it seems like you wouldn't want to splice #10 wire into a circuit protected by a 60A CB.

The reason I don't make a permanent splice is my I-pilot book says you have to unplug the TM when not in use or it drains the battery. I need something I can disconnect easily.

Got any thoughts on this?

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Run your #6 wire from your battery's to the front of the boat to a regular 3 prong trolling motor recepticle that has a three prong plug that sicks in and turns that is connected to your trolling motor leads. They are between 25 and 30 bucks for the plug and recepticle and they have directions for the proper wiring. These can be found at boat repair shops or online from Bass Pro. Good luck, Ferdi aka Fred

I like those flat connectors similar to what's used on forklifts. NAPA sells them in different sizes. Personally I think they are a much better connection than the plug styles sold for trolling motors. Different size wires on each side isn't a problem, because you just fill the socket with solder. Unfortunately on the battery side, you have a loose set of wires, not a nice bulkhead plug.

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Originally Posted by uvwx371

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uvwx371, What are you smoking man?:eek:

This is what I use on my boat.

Cabela's -- Marinco Trolling Motor Plugs

It works very well at changing the wire diameters. The female side will take up to 6 ga. The male side will take the wires from the motor just fine.

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Originally Posted by BamaMan

uvwx371, What are you smoking man?:eek:

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I been thinking about this post all day. It's got to be better than smoke :eek:

That Marinco setup is an excellent choice.

These worked out fine. I found they had to be soldered on but I borrowed the stuff to do it. Got them from Cabelas for $18 plus shipping.