BATTERY CABLES-gctid812500

[Guest]

I need to order a starter and solenoid for the boat. I want to replace the battery cables at the same time. I am not sure if I need 2 gauge or 4 gauge wire cables. I find no current markings on what I have.

What should I be ordering?

[builderdude]

Can't go wrong with 2 AWG. Bigger is most always better, marine tinned copper.

[Captain_Jack]

Builderdude is right. Bigger is better with battery cables and any other wiring for that matter. I'd reccomend that you cut back the insulation and measure the diamiter of your current cable that will tell you what size you have. I have to ask why you want to replace the cables? is the insulation breaking down or they are extremely corroded? if not the only reason to replace would be to go up a size or two to get better current flow to your starter. West marine used to have a great article on 'Voltage loss/drop" in their marine wiring section online.

[Guest]

The cables had gotten hot and started to melt the shielding. Which is how we found out the starter is drawing to much amperage.

Would solid copper stranding be better then tinned?

[Dadrock33]

NO!! Don't do that . . there are numerous reasons and I'm not an expert but the vibration factor alone says don't do that. Besides of which, you wouldn't be able to easily bend solid copper wire of the size that you need for the amperage draw. Offhand, it sounds like your cables are way undersized for the load. Your 2 or 4 gauge guess might be right but it should be 2/0 or even 4/0 gauge . . . 2 or 4 just sounds too small for the load (and maybe the distance too). There are standards associated with wire cabling and you need to follow those standards or you just might be the owner of a charred chunk of FRP . . . . please, get some expert help.:unsure:

[fritzman]

The cables on my boat are marked at #2, the local NAPA store makes cables up to order.

[Ruffryder]

4 AWG UP to 3.5 ft,

2 AWG up to 3.5-6 ft,

2gauge would be fine.