Proper gauge for battery cables
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17332
Printed Date: November-18-2024 at 2:35pm
Topic: Proper gauge for battery cables
Posted By: Kingiant
Subject: Proper gauge for battery cables
Date Posted: April-29-2010 at 2:50pm
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Hello,
So I am ready to place an order for wiring on my boat. I have a 83sn. My question is what is the proper gauge wire to run from perko switch live feed to starter. My battery cables (from battery lead to perko) I am running a 2/0 cable. What should my perko lead to starter be? |
Replies:
Posted By: 79nautique
Date Posted: April-29-2010 at 3:23pm
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the same ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=756&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1979&yrend=1979 - 79 nautique |
Posted By: brittcrowell
Date Posted: June-02-2010 at 1:41am
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So does anyone have a good source for marine battery cables? ------------- '93 Ski Nautique (needs new interior) |
Posted By: SN206
Date Posted: June-02-2010 at 1:54am
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You could help those who help the site by ordering them from mycorrectcraftparts.com ------------- ...those who have fallen and those who will. |
Posted By: brittcrowell
Date Posted: June-02-2010 at 2:54am
I'll keep that in mind the next time I'm looking for parts, but they don't carry any battery cables, so the question still stands. Does anyone know of a good source for replacement marine grade battery cables? Thanks Britt ------------- '93 Ski Nautique (needs new interior) |
SN206 wrote:Posted By: SN206
Date Posted: June-02-2010 at 3:24am
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I would try calling as Karen is still working on the website, but if not you can find some at West Marine. ------------- ...those who have fallen and those who will. |
Posted By: 79nautique
Date Posted: June-02-2010 at 11:34am
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search this site there is a link in one of the post it has been repeated a couple of times. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=756&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1979&yrend=1979 - 79 nautique |
Posted By: Kingiant
Date Posted: June-02-2010 at 3:48pm
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There are two places that I have ordered from. I completely re-ran every inch of wire in my boat. Between these two places I found everything I needed for a good price and it is great quality.
delcity.net tinnedmarinewire.com |
Posted By: Okie Boarder
Date Posted: June-02-2010 at 8:01pm
| http://shop.genuinedealz.com/ |
Posted By: brittcrowell
Date Posted: June-03-2010 at 1:55pm
I Like that site! Nice. So why are you guys running 2/0(00) cable? My '93 SN only has #2. And the 2/0 is almost 3 times as expensive as the #2. Bammer ------------- '93 Ski Nautique (needs new interior) |
Posted By: 79nautique
Date Posted: June-03-2010 at 1:59pm
because someone has replaced yours with undersized cable ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=756&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1979&yrend=1979 - 79 nautique |
Posted By: Whitfield
Date Posted: June-03-2010 at 4:44pm
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I'm a cheap SOB ~ but thought I'd share.
Most of my $$$ is going to CPES and my underwater gear refresh for getting my boat back on the water. So when it came time for new cables I pulled my 2/0(00)cable from a wrecked late modle rear engine passenger bus at the local U-wrench it. (2) 15' legnths for less then $10. My current cable was #2 and the insulation on the starter end was melted & ugly + the wire was overheated /weathered / coroded. My starter / alternator shop will put NEW ends on my like new / used cables and make these raw cables look like new. ------------- Michael .... I'm the black sheep ~ 1984 Dixie 299 Super Skier (350 Chev PCM / counter rotation / Velvet drive) Open Bow. |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: June-03-2010 at 5:03pm
Michael, Since you're not using tinned marine grade wire I suggest at least protecting the crimped terminations. Make sure the wire is clean before they put on the lugs/terminals then "sweat" them with rosin core solder. Finish them off with adhesive lined heat shrink at the crimped connections. BTW, it's not a good suggestion for others to not realize marine grade wire should be used. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: Whitfield
Date Posted: June-03-2010 at 5:28pm
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Thanks for keeping me straight, I see I have alot to learn.
I never knew their was such a thing as marine grade wire. Maybe I can sell my wire and buy the right stuff. I feel like a kid learing to work on stuff all over again. Guess I need to do more reading and less writing. Edit: Just went in and read a good bit on the differnces between the two. Now I understand why somtimes I find the ugly black colored copper wire on trailer lights. I never thought about wire filiment wicking moisture like cotton fibers and moisture + oxygen = corrosion. ------------- Michael .... I'm the black sheep ~ 1984 Dixie 299 Super Skier (350 Chev PCM / counter rotation / Velvet drive) Open Bow. |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: June-03-2010 at 6:22pm
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Michael,
Your cool and no harm done as long as people are aware of the difference. The marine grade was the point I was trying to convey and not critisizing your knowledge. But, now you know too! I certainly can't keep you from trying to save money. We all do these days!! BTW, the OEM wasn't marine so if you finish off the junk yard wire like I mentioned, you'll be good for lots of years!! ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: Whitfield
Date Posted: June-13-2010 at 8:18pm
What are your thoughts on the 3m liquid electrical tape.
A friend recomended it to me. I bought a new set of long handle Channel lock crimpers, still trying to decide between crimping and soildering. All of my harness ring connectors look (not original) and a few are loose / poorly done. They are all crimped. But Harness functioned OK with old busted block. ------------- Michael .... I'm the black sheep ~ 1984 Dixie 299 Super Skier (350 Chev PCM / counter rotation / Velvet drive) Open Bow. |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: June-13-2010 at 9:16pm
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Michael,
It's good stuff but it's not a substitute for decent tinned marine wire and top of the line crimp on connections. If moisture get's under the Scotchcote, and you haven't used the above, you end up with the same problems. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: Whitfield
Date Posted: June-14-2010 at 12:10am
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Sorry Pete ~ I've jumped to the engine wiring harness. My last step before I can fire the engine. Cleaning up the mess from the previous owners ~ I have few broken terminals / multiple sections of red tape / black tape. Burnt off Positive harness lead with an automotive 6-gauge lead twisted and taped in place. Burnt ground wire to alternator (Along alt harness) wire has been clipped and another wire run along side.
My orignal harness is useable but it has seen better days. I'm working to salvage it and clean things up tonight and install it tomorrow. I'm getting VERY close to hearing it run. I'm shopping for good crimp connectors now. Local retail outlets just have the common stuff. Looks like a good portion of my OE harness is suffering from non tinned Marine wire. Stripping the insulation back is exposing brown ugly wire. Anyone know if the PCM replacment harnesses at SkiDim use marine wire??? ------------- Michael .... I'm the black sheep ~ 1984 Dixie 299 Super Skier (350 Chev PCM / counter rotation / Velvet drive) Open Bow. |
Posted By: Whitfield
Date Posted: June-14-2010 at 12:14am
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Looks like Skidim only offers the ford harness
Any suggestions on where to find a GM harness? I could make one up myself but for under $100 Purchasing new would allow me to focus my efforts on more important things. The PCM harness pic in the online refrence manual looks like it has seen better days... 
------------- Michael .... I'm the black sheep ~ 1984 Dixie 299 Super Skier (350 Chev PCM / counter rotation / Velvet drive) Open Bow. |