MinnKota wiring?

[Prairieboy]

Soldering should be a last resort if you cannot get the proper crimping tool for the lug you are attaching. These days (lessons learned) auto, marine and aviation use crimp connections wherever possible on large conductors now as it is more reliable, handles vibration better and is safer to the general public (WHMIS/MSDS guidelines). Not to mention you will have issues heating a large cable throughout with the smaller soldering irons. Cold joints are probably the worst thing for an electrical circuit.

These crimping tools are not the Canadian Tire do it all crimp tools either but rather calibrated and manufactured for the appropriate lug and wire gauge. If you are not sure go to a dealer and they should have the right tools and avoid a bad crimp.

Solder is used primarily for low curent (i.e.: audio/video) where the installer doing it on the cheap or the installation cannot phyically accomodate a terminal or lug setup.

This spring I am installing a dual battery switch, circuit breaker and extra cables in addition to the battery charging sysem I installed last year. I will be using the approved lugs and terminals for the switch and charging system. The Chandlery ( www.thechandleryonline.com ) has most everything you will need and is all marine grade equipment so give them a try if you cannot get what you need from your local shop.

The other suggestions of corrosion inhibitor is a great one but I would only put the heat shrink over the connections if there was a risk of shorting to something because water can become trapped under the shrink and cause more trouble than good. If you make sure your cables are tied in properly and with as little exposed copper as possible you should be fine without heat shrink. As mentioned above make sure the cable is rated for the current of the motor and adding as circuit breaker is a good idea if you have the space.

Cheers,
Prairieboy

[1lastcast]

Thanks guys. I think I will crimp the cable when the time comes. I like using solder and heat shrink on most all my connections. But soldering a #4 or #6 wire would be real hard without melting the outside cable?

So doing the math. A 24volt terrova 80 puts out a max amp draw of 56amps. I cant seem to find a table chart for above 50amps? So Im going with 50amps at 40ft. It looks like with #6 wire I would have .8v loss and for a #4 .5volt loss.

Should I reconsider moving the batterys closer to the bow? I have been running a 12volt setup with the battery in the front deck with no problems. I may be able to get a second battery in there some place

BTW- Tinned wire (marine grade) is expensive Im looking at $250 to put 20ft of #6 in the boat. I may price out non marine grade wire and see if that cuts the cost. This cable is out of the water in a dry area of the boat.

Thanks for all your comments on this guys.

[Prairieboy]

BTW- Tinned wire (marine grade) is expensive Im looking at $250 to put 20ft of #6 in the boat. I may price out non marine grade wire and see if that cuts the cost. This cable is out of the water in a dry area of the boat.

Goto

http://www.thechandleryonline.com//dept ... t%5Fid=402

Marine Grade 6GA is $2.25/ft = $45.00
Marine Grade 4GA is $3.05/ft = $61.00

The Chandlery is just off Richmond and Carling in the West end but you can order from them online.

For $100 you'll get the wire, lugs, breaker and heck throw in a smoke detector

Cheers,
Prairieboy

[bass ackwards]

Check at Walmart and see if they have 20 or 25 foot booster cables #4 size
I think I remember pricing ones there for around $50.00. This gives you 2 wires for the same price.
I'd better check the solder connection on my boat that I made 8 years ago, they are probably on fire right now!!

Good luck in your repair endeavours!!!

[Bass Addict]

I plan on extending the cables for my trolling motor also ,, ie i'm putting the battery further back .......



Just might post a step by step procedure with pics...

[1lastcast]

Thanks for the link. Big differance in price from west marine here in Ktown

Turns out I have room in the bow for a second battery. I think im going to install both batterys in the bow first to see how the boat handles. I can't see 45lbs more weight in the bow making to much of a differnace.

Id be interested to hear where other guys place there batterys?