upgrading 8 to 6 gauge 2011 tkw

nirvananight · February 15, 2012, 01:25:51 AM

Hello!

I am going be purchasing a Minnkota 80 lb thrust with ipilot soon (actually tomorrow morning =) ). I have been reading on forums on the debate of upgrading 8 to 6 and if it is necessary or not. Well, I am one of those paranoid people that does not want my $1500 unit to fry on me! I also want to be able to get the most out of my batteries. I have never really taken off any part of the deck of my boat except the from slanted piece when I installed my bow fish finder. I want to get some ideas from you Tracker 175 owners on how to go about upgrading these wires. Do you suggested pulling out the main deck (if so how)? Or just is it easy to fish the new 6 guage wires along side the 8 guage and leave the stock 8s in? Sorry, but my boat is in storage until the next few days so I can't visualize it much. ANY ideas will be greatly appreciated!

oldjim · February 15, 2012, 09:25:04 AM

Take off slant piece of al deck in front of boat, you will see the wires going into plug. Remove wires from plug tape new wires to old wires and pull out old from battery hatch in back of boat and new wires will be in place under deck.
Oldjim

Creel Limit Zero · February 15, 2012, 10:20:22 AM

oldjim has got it, as long as you have those wires taped well together so they can not come apart if you have to put a little tension on it, you should be able to easily snake the new wires through using the old wires... If you find you can not get it past one point, you might have to tape them real tight so they can get through a small opening...

Top-Water · February 15, 2012, 03:54:42 PM

The existing wires will never pull out!!!
They are fastened in a couple places.

oldjim · February 15, 2012, 09:34:54 PM

I replaced mine like this and they were not fasted, but they may have started doing that. If so use a cable snake avl at harbor ft for about $10, its a coiled spring steel with reel and molded on rubber tip. Start at front and try to put it right down center of keel, thats where my wires were.
Oldjim

PT175SE · February 18, 2012, 04:43:45 PM

Per Minn Kota they provided me with a Conductor Gauge and Circuit Breaker Sizing Table guide. It states that if you install a 80# trolling motor you can still use the 8AWG wire for up to 30 feet with a 60 amp breaker. if someone on here that is smarter than me could tell me how to attach the file I will post for everyone.
Doug

nirvananight · February 19, 2012, 11:49:43 PM

Thanks for that info PT175SE. I will be a little over a total 30 foot run (boat is about 18 feet in length itself..) with 8 gauge but should be ok I hope. I am going to test it out Tuesday morning and I will let you guys know if any problems!

Creel Limit Zero · February 20, 2012, 08:57:16 AM

Quote from: PT175SE on February 18, 2012, 04:43:45 PM
Per Minn Kota they provided me with a Conductor Gauge and Circuit Breaker Sizing Table guide. It states that if you install a 80# trolling motor you can still use the 8AWG wire for up to 30 feet with a 60 amp breaker. if someone on here that is smarter than me could tell me how to attach the file I will post for everyone.
Doug

Yes, keep in mind that you have to double the length. If the length from the battery's to the plug is less than 15 feet you should be good.