- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
4 AWG Wire for trolling motor????
Posted on 6/24/20 at 5:20 pm
Posted on 6/24/20 at 5:20 pm
My new Minn Kota Terrova 12V 55 lb, 54" shaft should be here tomorrow. I pulled the manual off the website and it says for a 20' run, I need to use 4 AWG wire, which seems insane.
Terrova Manual
My actual run is only about 17 feet due to needing to follow the outside edge of my small aluminum boat. Plus all the plugs out there and even the leads from the motor itself seem like 8 gauge at the most. Am I OK to go with 8 or 6?
Yes, I will definitely have the recommended 60A fuse.
Terrova Manual
My actual run is only about 17 feet due to needing to follow the outside edge of my small aluminum boat. Plus all the plugs out there and even the leads from the motor itself seem like 8 gauge at the most. Am I OK to go with 8 or 6?
Yes, I will definitely have the recommended 60A fuse.
8
Posted on 6/24/20 at 5:28 pm to KABoss02
I had a journeyman electrician at work do take-offs on converting my jb to an all electric workhorse several years and and I was also shocked by the wire gauges required on all that low voltage high amp stuff. It's just ohm's law.
Posted on 6/24/20 at 5:41 pm to KABoss02
Sounds about right
Posted on 6/24/20 at 5:47 pm to KABoss02
You could probably be ok with 6 but how many dollars would that save you to not do it right?
Posted on 6/24/20 at 5:59 pm to KABoss02
My Terrova Is a 24vdc using 6 awg for a 15’ DC supply cable run from the batteries, even though I could have gotten by with 8 awg.
Yours being 12vdc will draw more current relatively speaking so Minolta is protecting against a voltage drop (amount other things) by specifying larger supply cable sizes in the 12vdc 50 lb thrust model. You hardly ever go wrong following manufacturers recommended electrical spec and especially for warranty purposes I’d follow their guidance for 4 awg.
Had mine for a year no issues the i-Pilot is for sure a game changer. Great unit.
Yours being 12vdc will draw more current relatively speaking so Minolta is protecting against a voltage drop (amount other things) by specifying larger supply cable sizes in the 12vdc 50 lb thrust model. You hardly ever go wrong following manufacturers recommended electrical spec and especially for warranty purposes I’d follow their guidance for 4 awg.
Had mine for a year no issues the i-Pilot is for sure a game changer. Great unit.
Posted on 6/24/20 at 6:30 pm to KABoss02
Most guides for 50amps over that distance are going to recommend 4-6 ga
Posted on 6/24/20 at 6:31 pm to KABoss02
I just installed a 55lb 12v minn kota a couple months ago. I ran #4 and i think a 60a breaker? I used the 20ft length off the minn kota chart. You dont wanna go too small. Better to have it slightly over sized.
Eta: that #4 is pretty stiff, so dont expect any hard 90s in it
Eta: that #4 is pretty stiff, so dont expect any hard 90s in it
This post was edited on 6/24/20 at 6:33 pm
Posted on 6/24/20 at 7:19 pm to Homey the Clown
quote:
Eta: that #4 is pretty stiff, so dont expect any hard 90s in it
Don't buy house wiring, use marine grade and something similar to type of wire in jumper cables and welding leads with a soft insulation and fine strands.
Posted on 6/24/20 at 8:04 pm to KABoss02
quote:
Plus all the plugs out there and even the leads from the motor itself seem like 8 gauge at the most.
They can get away with that because they are making you spec out #4. If the battery and the motor were 3 or 4 feet away from each other, then you could go thinner wire.
Posted on 6/24/20 at 8:15 pm to 007mag
quote:
Don't buy house wiring
I didnt use house wiring
Posted on 6/24/20 at 8:43 pm to Homey the Clown
What you talking about baw. Nothing beats romex on a boat
Posted on 6/24/20 at 9:40 pm to CP3
Welding cable with crimped lugs and cover the end of the lug / wire with heavy duty heat shrink. Use the heat shrink with the glue inside.
Posted on 6/26/20 at 6:43 am to td1
Appreciate everyone’s input. Ordered the 4 and praying it fits in the rail.
Posted on 6/26/20 at 3:16 pm to KABoss02
Battery will last longer with 4 AWG than with 6 AWG.
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News