See full version: How to Figure Out Trolling Motor Wire Size
Selecting the right trolling motor wire size is usually a troublesome task, especially with all the terminologies and computation required. To do this the right way, you must know the exact volts and the amp of your respective motor. This can uncomplicate the matter and make it easier for you. Here are some definitions and the best way to figure out the right wire sizes for your trolling motor .
This term is used to describe the circumference of a wire that is round in shape. The size of the wire usually affects the AWG number, the thicker or bigger the wire the loss the gauge number becomes. When you select your wire size, you should consider the length because the longer the wire also lowers, the AWG rating is required. This is because you will need thicker wire to make up for the additional length.
A large number of trolling motors use a wire gauge rated 8, but you should always consider the current of your trolling motor, which usually changes the length of your cable. If you require a longer wire, then it is advisable to use a lower wire gauge hence a thicker wire. However, you should be provided with the right gauge size by the manufacturer of your trolling motor. To determine the right size for your motor, you must consider the following: For a 12-volt motor that draws a current of 30 amps with a 50 amp circuit breaker, you require a wire rated 10 AWG for a length of 5 feet. The measure differs according to the length of the wire. If it is 10 feet in length, then you require a wire rating of also 10 AWG. If it is 15 feet in length, then you will need a wire rated at 8 AWG, and if the cable is 20 feet in length, then you will need a wire of 6 AWG. [links]
Agreed -- but I suspect 9 out of 10 boats with aftermarket accessories installed that leave a boat dealers yard would not pass inspection if subjected to one. Wire routing, wire protection, wire color, and wire type requirements are simply not followed.
Hmmm, conflicting reports. I'll doublecheck the manual to see if anything is listed in there, but I didn't see it the first time. Maybe I get something inbetween, like 20 ga. more
Re: What gauge of wire for fish finder.
I can say with absolute certainty that the power wiring that was supplied with my Eagle finder was at most 22ga. WHen you talk about 16ga as the law are you refering to "permanently wired" applications ? How can the suppliers of aftermarket accy's get away with less ?
The average power usage on these devices is low. But their impluse usage a lot higher due to intermitten transducer pings which occur at high power. In addition, they are liable to generate fair amount of noise on their ground plane. Both of these call for thicker wires than one would normally think is needed. I would use 14 or 16 guage wire. <br /><br />BTW, do you have anything else wired to this unit besides its transducer (e.g. GPS?). If so, then you want to have a single ground for both. Otherwise you get a ground loop by going to the battery for one, and to the junction box for the other.<br /><br />Amir here
Re: What gauge of wire for fish finder.
Re: Seperate battery for depth finders? [links]
Leave it to Federal agencies to do nothing but create unenforced regulations. Wire sizes of equipment being installed are ridiculous. # 16 & # 18 are the minimum. HMMMM. Lots of add ons are much smaller. HMMMM Pure Copper wire also.
They are pushing to allowable voltage drop to the limit WITH A FULLY CHARGED battery. [links]
Re: Seperate battery for depth finders? here
Usually depthfinders come with an inline fuse holder on the red wire like the one shown in this link to iboats store:
Re: Seperate battery for depth finders?
As in most electrical situations it is important that you know the maximum amp draw of the device being installed. You will also need to know that your power supply (e.g. alternator, battery, etc.) can produce more power than the amount being consumed by the DC device. [links]
When installing DC powered appliances and accessories it’s important to use the proper size wire. The size of wire required for a given task depends on the voltage being used, the amount of amps required and also the distance that power is being transmitted. Don’t worry, calculating the wire size is made easy with the wire size guides below. We have a chart for 12-volt, 24-volt, 36-volt, 48-volt and 72-volt applications. Wire size by gauge, ampers draw and maximum feet of wire. [links]
This guide shows how to view the below listed amp, gauge and wire feet charts. here