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Question on battery cable size
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| 6lambs |
Posted on 05/23/14 - 7:19 AM
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I have a 1982 Montauk 17' that had the original 90hp Evinrude motor on it. I am replacing it with a 1999 Johnson 90hp and would like to move the battery to the center console. The Johnson has a 7 foot OMC battery cable on it that is 4 gauge (I think). I measured the length to the center console and 14 ft. should be adequate - I plan on purchasing a 14 foot length. My question is with a battery cable at 14 ft. the recommended size wire is 2 gauge (after 10 ft. the recommendation is 2 gauge), but I don't thing the 2 gauge wire will fit into the opening the cable has to pass through into the motor. Has anybody used 4 gauge battery cable when moving to the center console? Have they hade any problems with their motor using the 4 gauge over a 10 ft. length?
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| Phil T |
Posted on 05/23/14 - 8:54 AM
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I did the same project with a Yamaha F115.
The OEM wires were 4 AWG duplex (two together) in a rectangular shape. They fit in a large round engine grommet that had cutouts for each wire/harness.
To get the 2 AWG wire into the engine rigging grommet, I removed the grommet and cut out the rubber openings to fit the two round battery cables.
I would try working on the grommet before changing wire sizes.
Edited by Phil T on 05/23/14 - 8:58 AM |
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| 6lambs |
Posted on 05/23/14 - 9:06 AM
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Thanks, will take another look at the motor opening.
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| jharrell |
Posted on 05/23/14 - 12:13 PM
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Another option, which I did on my Montauk when moving the battery to the console, which had an older Mercury, now new Yamaha F70, was to put a Blue Sea dual power post mounted on the splashwell. The existing 4awg from the motor went to the power post without modification, new 2 awg was run to console for battery:
http://www.bluesea.com/products/categ..._PowerPost
I had to do this if I wanted 2 awg as my old Merc simply did not have enough space in the rigging hole for 2 awg.
My understanding is in the 90's the classic Montauk had batteries mounted in the console rather than the stern from the dealer. It was common to use a similar post mounted to splashwell to allow larger wire up to a point roughly where the stern battery would have been, then shorter smaller gauge to motor.
I have had this setup for 3 years and it has worked great. I have just purchased a charging kit for my kicker, with the post in the rear I can simply use the provided battery cable with rings to tie to that post rather than buying and tieing in a longer larger gauge wire up to console again.
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| Derwd24 |
Posted on 05/23/14 - 12:37 PM
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I did the same as jharrell and used the BEP studs below. They make a single and dual post. This allows you to use a much thicker cable from the battery to the posts, minimizing voltage drop across the large cables and supplying full power at the post connection point to the engine cables,
http://www.boatbandit.com/bep-702-2s-...11486.aspx
http://www.boatbandit.com/bep-702-sin...11485.aspx
Should also mention to liberally coat each of the connections with marine grease before putting the covers on, esp in salt water, to prevent corrosion.
Edited by Derwd24 on 05/23/14 - 12:53 PM
Dave - 1983 Outrage 22 |
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| The revenge |
Posted on 05/23/14 - 6:15 PM
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I started out with 2 gauge and switched to 4 gauge. The 2 gauge wouldn't fit into motor.
No problems.
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| Whalerbob |
Posted on 05/23/14 - 6:25 PM
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Adding a post like that just adds another point of failure. I ran 4 gauge from my console direct to my 90, solder and heat shrink the connections and I have no issues. I'm not sure about the cable length but if you think you'll need 14' you should order 15' and cut it to size if needed.
Edited by Whalerbob on 05/23/14 - 6:29 PM |
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| saumon |
Posted on 05/23/14 - 6:57 PM
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Derwd24 wrote:
I did the same as jharrell and used the BEP studs below. They make a single and dual post. This allows you to use a much thicker cable from the battery to the posts, minimizing voltage drop across the large cables and supplying full power at the post connection point to the engine cables,
http://www.boatbandit.com/bep-702-2s-...11486.aspx
http://www.boatbandit.com/bep-702-sin...11485.aspx
Should also mention to liberally coat each of the connections with marine grease before putting the covers on, esp in salt water, to prevent corrosion.
x3
I also did the same. 2AWG from console to powerposts in the splashwell, on which the OEM 4AWG engine cables are connected. Work great.
1991 Outrage 17' I - 2005 E-Tec 90hp |
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