Wire Gauge of Minn Kota 12v TM. What gauge to use?

[Andyfender]

I need to extend the power cables from my Minn Kota TM 12v to my battery. What gauge wire should I use?

Andy

 

[JET4]

Re: Wire Gauge of Minn Kota 12v TM. What gauge to use?

how long of a run will the wire be?

 

[Andyfender]

Re: Wire Gauge of Minn Kota 12v TM. What gauge to use?

The run is only 4' I am going to use 8awg. Solder and tape the splice.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wire Gauge of Minn Kota 12v TM. What gauge to use?

Tin the wire ends, use a butt splice AND heat shrink tubing to cover and protect the splice.

 

[Andyfender]

Re: Wire Gauge of Minn Kota 12v TM. What gauge to use?

Tin the wire ends, use a butt splice AND heat shrink tubing to cover and protect the splice.

Will do! Thanks

 

[JB]

Re: Wire Gauge of Minn Kota 12v TM. What gauge to use?

Depending on the thrust and model of your troller (maximum current draw) you may want to go to AWG 6 or even larger.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wire Gauge of Minn Kota 12v TM. What gauge to use?

It's a 30# motor which draws about 30 amps. 8 gauge very adequate on that short run.

 

[Andyfender]

Re: Wire Gauge of Minn Kota 12v TM. What gauge to use?

It's 55LB Thrust. Minn Kota suggested I go with 8AWG

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wire Gauge of Minn Kota 12v TM. What gauge to use?

Oops! Don't know where I got the 30# from. 8 gauge would be minimum in my view. It isn't just a 4 foot run, it is an 8 foot run since when determining voltage drop it is round-trip. You also need a 50A breaker.

 

[Andyfender]

Re: Wire Gauge of Minn Kota 12v TM. What gauge to use?

Actually the length of the splice was only a foot and a half. Since Minn Kota used 10 awg I also used 10awg for the splice. I used two heated butt splice connectors. Do I really need a circuit breaker in the line?

Andy

 

[JB]

Re: Wire Gauge of Minn Kota 12v TM. What gauge to use?

You do need a breaker or fuse. 50A should be adequate.

I would not use AWG 10 or AWG 8 for that motor. I still recommend AWG 6.

Fire is never a welcome guest on a boat.

 

[Andyfender]

Re: Wire Gauge of Minn Kota 12v TM. What gauge to use?

Even if the lenght is only 2 feet at most?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wire Gauge of Minn Kota 12v TM. What gauge to use?

Here is an "ampacity" chart that indicates maximum current handling capability of various gauges of wire in both closed and free air environments. You will see that in free air (wires not covered in any way) the maximum current handling is 55A. If any part of the wire is in an enclosed area current handling drops to 33 amps -- well below the 50 amps of your motor. Minnkota uses 10 gauge because that part of the wire is generally exposed.

http://wiki.xtronics.com/index.php/Wire-Gauge_Ampacity#Load_Carrying_Capacities_or_Ampacities

 

[Andyfender]

Re: Wire Gauge of Minn Kota 12v TM. What gauge to use?

So I should go with 8 awg? Not 10Awg? How do you suggest I connect the splice? Butt Splice Connectors? I will connect a 8awg to a 10 awg (from the minn Kota) I will then have to use a Butt Connector for a 8awg. I tried fitting a 10 into a 8 and it didnt fit.

Do I need to use Marine wire?

Andy

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wire Gauge of Minn Kota 12v TM. What gauge to use?

If this is a salt water boat you should use marine wire. As for using #8 or 10 I wouldn't object too strongly over that short run, even if some of the wire is enclosed. But the point here is the charts exist for a reason. It's called safety. How hard you push the envelope is a personal choice. As for joining the two wires, slide a couple different sizes of heat shring over each wire and then one large one over both wires. Solder the two wires and cover individual joints with heat shrink. Then slide the larger heat shrink over both joints and shrink it. If you use butt slices you can even cover the butt splices in this manner to make them more water tight.