Battery relocation question

CraigS

CraigS

Well-known member
Ok, I have a electric start motor 25hp with battery cables that are only a couple of feet long. I want to move the battery up to the front of my BBIII about 17' of cable would be added.

My Question can I use a 8 gauge by 3 wire that I can get at the big box store. I would just use 2 of the wires for the connection of motor to battery.


Thanks Craig.
 
I did a similar thing too. A friend recommended going to a welding supply store and getting some heavy gauge wire. Might be worth a call and perhaps a bit less expensive.

Grace and peace,

David
 
I will take this as a no then and broaden my search to find the correct stuff.

Thanks Guys,
 
I use a set of jumper cables thats a couple of gauge sizes larger, for a trolling motor. Stern mount motor & I needed to have the batt. up front to balance the boat when I used it by myself. Heavy duty clamps already attached on 1 end & I used HD spade connectors on the other end so I don't have to haul around an extra 12' of cable with the motor. Just an idea that works for me.
Dennis
 
Be aware of significant voltage drops with 12 VDC. I would refer to one of those charts that shows voltage drop for various gauge wires and lengths, and select the appropriate gauge.
Even 5 or 10 feet of wire can cause significant drops.
 
Use marine grade wire, it's tinned for longer life. Voltage drop is considerable, consult a marine shop. Mount the factory wire to a terminal or fuse panel in the stern and connect the new extension to the terminal. Your lights and accessories can be controlled from the stern.
 
Marine wire is very expensive and unnecessary.Buy enough 8ga. stranded copper THW(thermoplastic,
heat,+water resistant) insulation.Get 2 split bolt connectors,sometimes called "bugs",or Burndies.Get
a tube of "no ox" or equivalent.It's an antioxidant,it's required on all large electrical connections.
Strip the wire from the motor and the new battery wires.Use the "bugs" to splice the wires.VERY
IMPORTANT,slather the antioxidant on the wires before you splice them.Tape the splice with electrical
tape.Keep your positive and negative identified.On the battery end,you'll have to get" bolt on" battery
terminals unless you have access to a crimp tool.Use the antioxidant on the battery end ,fittings and
posts.There isn't enough voltage drop in that distance to even worry about.This should cost you around
$30.BTW,the antioxidant comes under a lot of names.A big box store will have this.Good luck.
 
The 8-3 wire you have will be just fine, Turning the motor isn't high enough of an amperage pull for voltage drop to be an issue. Especially over just 17' If we were talking longer lengths than it would be a different story. And if you got the stuff on hand, give it a shot. I bet it works for ya.

The insulation type may be something you need to consider if the wire will either be submerged in water or exposed to the sun for long periods of time (days at time). Otherwise you'll get years out of it, just protect it from physical damage.

The allowable ampacicty of an 8 gauge wire in a wet location is 50 amps according to the NEC (National Electrical Code) so you know it can safely handle ATLEAST that much of a load. You should be fine
 
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