how many wires should be on the battery terminals?

[astampfel]

I boat a used 1990, 90 Hp johnson outboard VJ90TLESB. Each battery terminal has 2 wires going to it; one wire is really thick, and the other one is very thin. It seems like the thin one has something to do with the starter solenoid, tachometer and trim. Is this normal or did the guy before me hot wire it?

 

[searay175snyder]

Re: how many wires should be on the battery terminals?

sounds like a hot wire i have my trim going to my battery and it fine

 

[ezeke]

Re: how many wires should be on the battery terminals?

The primary battery cables should be thick; the positive cable runs to the incoming large post on the starter solenoid and the negative cable is bolted directly to the engine block.

Secondary wiring for accessories should be wired by separate, smaller fused circuits connected at the battery.

see: http://forums.iboats.com/showpost.php?p=1259309&postcount=1

 

[wilde1j]

Re: how many wires should be on the battery terminals?

A lot of boats, especially those with two or more bilge pumps, will have one bilge pump hardwired to a battery with an automatic float switch and perhaps and in-line fuse. Other bilge pumps typically are wired to be operated solely by a panel mounted switch or switches. Most of the larger Grady White's come factory wired this way.