What Guage Wire For Trolling Motor

Printable View

10-24-2007, 04:41 PM
SIMPLEMAN

What Guage Wire For Trolling Motor

Going To Mount The Old Trolling Motor Up Front On My Jon. Any One Know What Guage Wire Is Recomended. The Was Motor Used And I Never Had A Owners Manual. Battery Will Stay In Back. About A 16ft Run. I Will Never Have Over A 30 Pound Thrust On This Rig Or Foot Control. Thanks Folks.
10-24-2007, 05:33 PM
wannabe fisherman

Due to voltage drop in that distance I'd use 8 gauge. It's a little costly, but you won't have the current drop.JMO
10-24-2007, 05:47 PM
Barnacle Bill

Use at least #8 for 16ft. If you knew the max amps it would draw you could plug the figures in here http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm (page down). You want less then 5% voltage drop.
10-24-2007, 05:58 PM
SIMPLEMAN

Thanks Folks. I Knew I Could Count On You To Know The Answer. I Also Knew It Would Be #8 Because I've Got 50' Of #10 In The Shed. As Usual I've Been Helped By The Fine Folks At Crappie.com. Thanks Again. Simpleman
10-24-2007, 06:46 PM
deep-v

I've always used 6 gauge, no matter how far the run was. Never had a problem. The boat shops around here also use 6 gauge.
10-25-2007, 08:03 AM
shuorc

In current carrying capability 2 runs of #10 equals #8 and saves money if you have it already.--shu
10-25-2007, 08:24 AM
grundan

be sure and solder the terminal ends on also. all that nice conductor and a crappie connection (no pun) on the end wont help you out.
10-25-2007, 08:53 AM
stinkies daddy

I've always used 6 gauge, no matter how far the run was. Never had a problem. The boat shops around here also use 6 gauge.

be sure and solder the terminal ends on also. all that nice conductor and a crappie connection (no pun) on the end wont help you out.

I agree
10-25-2007, 02:32 PM
Cane Pole

Old man's advice here

Don't cut corners on power cables. Use good marine grade primary wire. It is UV protected. The insulation on non protected wiring will eventually break down. Then is when the troubs begin. Shorts and fires.

Yep. A lot of people ignore this advise. They pay for it sooner or later though.
10-25-2007, 05:53 PM
Barnacle Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cane Pole

Don't cut corners on power cables. Use good marine grade primary wire. It is UV protected. The insulation on non protected wiring will eventually break down. Then is when the troubs begin. Shorts and fires.

Yep. A lot of people ignore this advise. They pay for it sooner or later though.

More flexible and tinned too.
10-25-2007, 07:05 PM
sticksteer

I've got #6 run 16ft on a 50#thrust motor, works great. Be sure to put a fuse inline in case of a short . I did not on my last boat....was real glad I did put a fire ext. in the boat. A 16 ft boat seems real small when theres a fire blazing on one end.
10-25-2007, 07:25 PM
Cane Pole

Quote:

Originally Posted by sticksteer

I've got #6 run 16ft on a 50#thrust motor, works great. Be sure to put a fuse inline in case of a short . I did not on my last boat....was real glad I did put a fire ext. in the boat. A 16 ft boat seems real small when theres a fire blazing on one end.

I absolutely agree. I would use a small thermal circuit breaker instead of a fuse though.

scroll on left index to check breakers here.

http://www.wiringproducts.com/index1.html

I meant to put DelCity link here. This is where I usually get my stuff.

http://www.delcity.net/delcity/servl...reakers&page=1