Extending Trolling Motor Wires

[rjn cajun]

Hey guy`s I have a little boat I`m using for the small lakes and I need to extend the wires on the trolling motor. So I have to splice into it and run it to the bow of the boat. Can anyone tell me what gauge is safe and what I need to connect the splice.

[Creel Limit Zero]

What trolling motor do you have.  Some of the smaller trolling motors will not require as large of a guage wire, which will save a bit on price...   

[rjn cajun]

I have a minnkota endura 40lbs thrust and it`s the transom mount.

[Creel Limit Zero]

I should have asked all the questions.  How many feet of wire will it be?

[rjn cajun]

From were the clamps are now  I will be adding another 6ft. So it will be a total of about 10ft.

[Creel Limit Zero]

OK, here's the calculation. 

10 feet of wire needed X 2 = 20 feet. 

You take the feet X the Voltage Loss.

At 12 AWG wire
20 X .0648V = 1.296V which is no good. 

At 10 AWG wire
20 X .0408V = 0.816V which is under 1V which is good. 

At 8 AWG wire
20 X .0256V = 0.512V

Make sure you are at 20 feet.  At 25 feet

25 X .0408 = 1.02V which is over 1 and no good.

So you will need 10 Guage wire if it is less than 12 feet for each wire, or you can just be safe and get 8 Guage wire and not worry too much.   

As for wire connectors.  Make sure you get a good one, and I suggest soldering them in.  The best connection you make the less voltage loss you will have.  If you plan on taking the batteries in and out, or the trolling motor on/off after each outing, these wire connectors are real convenient so you don't have to disconnect from the battery each time...

http://www.cabelas.com/link-12/product/0001110011811a.shtml

[rjn cajun]

Thank you creel limit this is exactly what I was looking for.

[Creel Limit Zero]

Glad to help.  Let us know how it all turns out.