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My boat has 8 gauge wire ran from the transom to the bow (approximately 18 feet). Minn Kota recommends 6 gauge but I can't find it locally. I can order some but it would take a while to get it.
Any Terrova owners running 8 gauge wire? Does it work alright? The max amp rating on the Terrova 80 is 56 amps. Not sure what the normal amp rating of say 50% or 75% would be...
DoubleG
MHAO you should be ok. But some here will disagree.
Bigger wire is always better.
Using your figures voltage drop is 0.819 VDC which is acceptable. Go fishing and don't worry about it.
I agree.........Quote:
Originally Posted by Barnacle Bill
if you do have any problem just parallel a #10 or so along side it this will increase the current at max.
When these two agree on it, go with it. (Barnacle Bill and Cane Pole)
Thanks fellas...
DoubleG
I'm a gonna disagree with 'em to some degree. Since your gonna pull cranks with that Terrova and be pulling a heavy load all day, the voltage drop is gonna cost you in longevity for the day and eventually use up some of the batteries' useful life. I say, order the 6 gauge, but go ahead and install the motor with the 8 and use it. That way you can enjoy it now and save the wire swap for a winter project before it swings back around to crank pulling time again.
Besides, on your boat (G3 1860), it's really not that bad of a project and would be real easy to do with fish tape, but probably could be accomplished with a coat hanger since the closed runs are fairly short.
Wannabe...
A voltage drop of 0.819 VDC is not enough to ever notice
Learn how to use a jig and quit going for Sunday rides.:pQuote:
Originally Posted by Wannabe...
Well... I wasn't gonna say it but I ordered some 6 gauge marine wire yesterday. I just wanted to see if I could run my Terrova on the 8 gauge this weekend to get a feel for it. I can't wait to use it. My wire should be in next week sometime...
Wannabe.. I got string ran from front to back when i installed the depth finder up front. So running the wires should be pretty easy. I would like to run them in the existing plastic conduit but not sure if it will pull through with the big 6 gauge wires. We will see...
I used this website to run the numbers and the 6 gauge looks much better:
http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm
8 gauge results
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/t...ams/8gauge.jpg
6 gauge results
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/t...ams/6gauge.jpg
DoubleG
It doesn't matter Tom....Wannabe can only catch one fish anyway. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Cane Pole
Quote:
Originally Posted by DoubleGobble00
Results depend on the internet calculator you use.
http://www.stealth316.com/2-wire-resistance.htm
You will have no more current flow than what the #10 can carry.Quote:
Originally Posted by cobra 7
to whoever that wants to try to get the best idea of the usage use the p=ie power x current x voltage g 3 must know the power of the motor at max.
parallel means double and this ads copper surface therefore less resistance since 90%of the electrons flow on the surface this is why standed is better than solid.Quote:
Originally Posted by EJL
I get the same results with that calculator. You just have to double the length of wire for the round trip.. The previous calculator did that automaticallyQuote:
Originally Posted by Cane Pole
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/t...eCams/wire.jpg
Now I will say that most published data is very conservative. I am sure the 8 will be fine but I just want to make sure all is well...
DoubleG
the best way to get the performance with what you have is to double the #8 and use silver solder on the ends this resist the acid better than plain solder.
My misunderstanding. I thought the total length was 18 foot. There was not mention of a one way run. But, them at my age I am forgetful and inclined to mistakes.Quote:
Originally Posted by DoubleGobble00
Since you gonna replace this wire, Just twist splice the new to the old and use the old wires as a puller. Tape the twist tightly. Get some cable pulling grease and apply to the new wire and make the job simple.
I should have mentioned it being a total run of 36 feet... 18 feet is the length of my boat. Would rather mount the batteries up front like I have seen you do in the past. Then I could use 10 with no problem... That length is a killer. Also the weight in the front of the boat would be nice... Another project for another day..
I got some cable pulling grease from when I installed the 898. I will be sure to use it. I think I am going to turn the existing wires into a 12 volt socket in the front of the boat and remove the trolling plug (since it is rated for 50 amps and is 10 gauge wire). I want to put the 12 volt plug in the place of the trolling plug... and just hard wire the trolling motor with the 60 amp breaker.
Cane, you ever tried to pull wired that are inside that plastic conduit? I would like to run the 6 in the plastic conduit but not sure how easily they will pull being in that stuff.
DoubleG
Not 6 gauge, but I pulled many miles of cat3 and cat 5 cables. Same principle. If you splice the two cables and use cable grease, it should work fine. When pulling and it gets tight, back up and try again. Don't force it. It is best done with 2 people, as this saves running back and forth and helps keep kinks out of the cable, especially in tight cable channels.Quote:
Originally Posted by DoubleGobble00
Thanks for the info.. I appreciate it... I will give that a try and see how it goes. Thanks...
DoubleG
I use this one. http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm
You enter the one way length and it doubles it when it makes the calculations.