Recommend Battery Cable Gauge

Leodan

Recruit
Joined
Apr 9, 2015
Messages
5
I recently purchased a pair of Yamaha FT50 outboards and the provided battery cables are only 7' long. I need at least 14'. I am considering replacing the entire cable rather than splicing. Any recommendations for the gauge of cable to use?
 

StarTed

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 14, 2015
Messages
694
Go a size up at least. They always use minimums to save money and weight. You won't be sorry to increase the size and seal out water from the connection ends.
 

mxcobra

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 27, 2011
Messages
526
You could get some nice fat ones. off an old car at a Junk yard for cheap
 

JonBrown

Seaman
Joined
Apr 4, 2016
Messages
56
I think those are copper clad #4 wire, I would go #2 and no splicing. Using marine wire will help a lot. If you use conventional it will heat up and burn or turn black to the starter and etc. causing other problems. 14' is really a long way. I wouldn't hold the starter very long at that distance. 2 gauge runs about $5 a foot marine. 3/0 is $11 a foot I think. Those are tinned copper and the only way to go.I would think 2 gauge enough per engine. Although 14'x4 x $5.. Moving the battery would be soo much cheaper.
 

NicoPags

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 24, 2014
Messages
217
I came across a door crasher at a big box office store for the heavy duty Nascar branded jumper cables, I clipped the alligators off and soldered the marine battery connectors. It is 2 gauge. It may not be marine rate, but is working very well still. Cost about $40 all in all, and gave me two sets of 6' batt cables. If your able to move the batteries it would save you major coin.
 
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