Wiring question... 24v set upu with my new Terrova trolling motor.

[mjbuck]

I'm probably over-thinking a simple thing. Got a new Terrova electric motor. Need a 24v set up to operate it. No problem there. Plenty of room for the batteries and the wiring set up is easy. But here is my question. I have the motor wired to a plug-in and not directly to the battery. The motor's factory wire going to the plug-in is 10AWG. I purchased a plug set-up made for the Terrova, so I'm good there. The wiring going from the battery to the outlet where the motor will be plugged into is 6AWG. The 6AWG wiring was installed at the factory and is hidden beneath the floor. For convenience, I would like to use this wire, as it would be a pain to have to pull up the floor to run new wiring. Between the plug/outlet and the batteries, I have a 60-amp fuse. Right after that I am using "Connect-Ease" connectors which come already configured for the 24v set up. The "Connect-Ease" connectors are 8AWG wire. So, if could follow this so far, here is my question. Is it an issue that I go from 8AWG wire at the battery (Connect-Ease connector), into 6AWG wiring already installed beneath the floor of the boat to an outlet that the trolling motor will plug into, when the trolling motor wire is only 10AWG? Or, should all the wire be the same gauge?

 

[alldodge]

Is it an issue that I go from 8AWG wire at the battery (Connect-Ease connector), into 6AWG wiring already installed beneath the floor of the boat to an outlet that the trolling motor will plug into, when the trolling motor wire is only 10AWG? Or, should all the wire be the same gauge?

Not an issue, larger is always better do to voltage drop. The factory did a great job of over sizing the cables, and 8 is plenty for feeding the motor.

 

[gm280]

You can change wire gauges/sizes IF the wire gauges and lengths can handle the current you need for the trolling motor. The real problem with changing wire sizes is the connections between the two different wire sizes. So make certain that your connections are a perfect as you can make then.

If you were to look at a wire gauge chart, you would see that even small size wires can handle a large amount of current, but for very short runs. So if your wires from the battery terminals to the trolling motor can handle the current your trolling motor requires, you are good to go.

Here is such a chart. You can see that even small wire can handle a large amount of current, but for shorter runs. Hope this helps.