Upgrade to TM wire

[rsa]

Hi,
I purchased a 2016 Pro 170 recently. I want to upgrade my 8ga wire running to the TM socket with 6ga.
Prefer to leave the 8ga in place for future use. Can anyone who has done this give me any tips on pulling the new cable through the boat?
Thanks!

[Bud Kennedy]

It is always a tough deal pulling wire thru a bass boat.  Traditionally one would simply use the existing wire to pull the new wire thru the channel by taping the two wires together.  Since you are planning on keeping the existing wire too this does make the process even more difficult.  About the only choice you have is to use a fish tape to accomplish the task.

Kinda curious what kind of upgrade are you planning that would require the bigger wire?  Then of course you will have to address the circuit breaker when you do your upgrade in the future.

[rsa]

I will be using my 55lb 12v I5 initially. I'm always one not to skimp on wire gauge. For the life of me I can't understand why Tracker used 8gauge wire for a run that long. The original TM was a 45lb Edge.
Even for a 45lb TM the charts say 6gauge. 
I guess I could use the existing wire to pull the new one through. I could add an extra line and then pull the the original back. Just wondered if they might get hung up. I guess I'll find out.
Thanks...

[Bud Kennedy]

I am also in the midst of a trolling motor change and I see the wire recommendation you speak about.  My new motor is an 80lb thrust Maxxum 24V but the chart is still indicating 8awg for the battery connection.  My old ranger is already at 8awg and I don't plan on changing at this time but will see how it goes and will change to 6awg perhaps in the spring.  I appreciate your concern about the existing 8awg

[Nutoy]

Mule tape(flat nylon rope) is your friend when pulling wire.
I'd take one of the existing wires, double over end of wire, tie AND tape 3(three) strands of mule tape to the end, pull it out. Pull existing wire back through and use one of the other two mule tapes to try and pull both new wires through. If they won't go easily, do them one at a time.
This is usually a two person job. Do not force them until they are wedged tight. Sometimes backing up a little and twisting the wire will help it find the easiest path through.

[Princeton_Man]

Securely attach a pull string to your existing wire, then pull the string through using the wire. Now attach your 6ga wire to the string and 8ga wire. Pull both wires back through with the string.

[SteelHorseCowboy]

Securely attach a pull string to your existing wire, then pull the string through using the wire. Now attach your 6ga wire to the string and 8ga wire. Pull both wires back through with the string.

I've been doing some wire pulling lately and would like to add to this: keep tension on the pull string at all times. Let some slack get in it and it can slip off pretty easily.

Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk

[rsa]

I am also in the midst of a trolling motor change and I see the wire recommendation you speak about.  My new motor is an 80lb thrust Maxxum 24V but the chart is still indicating 8awg for the battery connection.  My old ranger is already at 8awg and I don't plan on changing at this time but will see how it goes and will change to 6awg perhaps in the spring.  I appreciate your concern about the existing 8awg

I'm using 12v TM presently. 24v only requires 8gauge because it draws half the amps. So I'm told.

[rsa]

Thanks guys for all the tips!

[Oldfart9999]

You've got some good tips there. Why save the 8 ga./ Once you've pulled the 6 ga. through you're not planning on switching wire size back and forth are you?
Rodney

[rsa]

You've got some good tips there. Why save the 8 ga./ Once you've pulled the 6 ga. through you're not planning on switching wire size back and forth are you?
Rodney

No but I plan on installing electronics on the bow and having the 8 gauge already there will come in handy.