correct size wire and type

[tav]

gonna be rewiring my helix 7 the run is 15' or so ....bow to starting battery.

what size wire should i use and type of wire. thx

[Wayne P.]

Amazon.com : 10/2 AWG Duplex Flat DC Marine Wire - Tinned Copper Boat Cable - 30 Feet - White PVC Jacket, Red/Black Conductor - Made in The USA : Sports & Outdoors

[MichAngler]

Best wire for this application

Tinned Copper 10 AWG Cable, 30 ft Red & 30 ft Black, 105 strands 0.254 mm tinned copper wire, protecting them from corrosion, and easy to solder.

$33.99

https://www.amazon.com/10-Gauge-Wire...879955&sr=8-26

[bobcoy]

Not marine grade. The insulation and the fact there is no printed spec's on the wire are troubling to me. I have been disappointed a few times with unlabeled unknown origin items from wire to fuel lines. Yes it is cheap. You take your chances. Even the "copper wire" is not rated for purity(for ampacity). JMO Bob

[SLYDoggie]

Agree with Bob on the 2nd link. I would definitely go with the one that Wayne posted. A little more expensive but marine grade and sheathed.

[bobcoy]

There are better marine certified prices as well.

[tav]

Thx all

[MichAngler]

Feel free to spend 84 dollars for 30 feet

I wired four graphs with hook up wire and other than a lithium battery it’s the best thing I could have done

105/30 stranding is the best you can get in a 10awg wire and will provide you with the lowest resistance

[MCIPinkie]

So now we need 10 ga wire to pull 1 - 2 amps in a 30' circuit that connects to 24 ga from the unit with a 2 (I assume) amp fuse.

In the old days when were dumb and broke we would have wired it up with a 16/2 extension cord from Walmart.

Twisted connections and Walmart electrical tape.

Don't recommend that as a good practice, but I wired up lots of depth finders that way. They all worked. From Super Sixty's to 997's.

Obviously, the wire recommended is great. Minor bit of over kill, but heck it's just money.

Whatever the OP chooses to use, I heartily recommend buying good connectors, good tools, and learning to use the them properly.

[SLYDoggie]

So now we need 10 ga wire to pull 1 - 2 amps in a 30' circuit that connects to 24 ga from the unit with a 2 (I assume) amp fuse.

In the old days when were dumb and broke we would have wired it up with a 16/2 extension cord from Walmart.

Twisted connections and Walmart electrical tape.

Don't recommend that as a good practice, but I wired up lots of depth finders that way. They all worked. From Super Sixty's to 997's.

Obviously, the wire recommended is great. Minor bit of over kill, but heck it's just money.

Whatever the OP chooses to use, I heartily recommend buying good connectors, good tools, and learning to use the them properly.

I can tell you that, for Solix, it isn't overkill. With cheap wiring you loose "umph" between the battery and device and the Solix is very "umph" dependent.

[201pro]

I can tell you that, for Solix, it isn't overkill. With cheap wiring you loose "umph" between the battery and device and the Solix is very "umph" dependent.

But it’s not a Solix or a large draw unit. It’s a Small Helix 7.

[Wayne P.]

But it’s not a Solix or a large draw unit. It’s a Small Helix 7.

Do it correctly the first time.

[MengRanger]

I went with 8 gauge marine. There is not such thing as overkill for these HB units LOL.

[SLYDoggie]

But it’s not a Solix or a large draw unit. It’s a Small Helix 7.

I think you see the trend in the responses to the question. It's not as much about "draw" as it is what you loose between the battery and the unit by using small cheap wiring... both voltage and amps.

[MCIPinkie]

Now I know no one has thought of this, but if I remember correctly, the HB installation manual tells us what to use for wire sizes.

It's still volts and amps. I'll bet you'll have higher voltage drop with 8 ga wire and crap connections than you will with 12 and good ones.

For one Helix 7, I would have no fear with 12. 14, maybe even 16 would work. Now if the OP wants to plan for future expansion, another entirely different issue.

I see the trend. Big is better. Cost is not important. Forget what is needed, just run big wire.

I had a Helix 7 in an old john boat wired up with extension cords. Worked perfectly for years until I sold the boat. To best of my knowledge still working. I bet it wouldn't work any better with 8 ga marine wire.

Point I'm trying to make is to use what is needed. No less, no more.

When I put the new Helix 10's on my Skeeter, 1 each bow and console, I used exactly the wire Wayne called out. It's over kill for one unit, but if I upgrade no issue.

This whole voltage issue is uncomfortable to start with. If low voltage is an issue on a particular unit, how come it doesn't get better when the big motor is running? I see no difference in my Helix 10's at 12.2 volts or 13.6. They suck since 2.180 period.

[bobcoy]

I agree with your approach. I do think going slightly larger than necessary is the way to go. These units are not getting smaller. A little wiggle room has value as well. Poor connections defeat the wire size every time. The cost difference between 10 and 12 is close enough to make it worthwhile. Going to 8 is another step up on cost, but that will also cost you in crimping tools and connectors. Many terminal blocks can't accommodate #8 well either. The other way (14 or 16) is short sighted. You also threw in Lithium voltage(13.6) That is a guaranty of adequate voltage, but again at a premium price. I am fortunate enough I have larger wire and Lithium power. 30 years ago I might be tempted to go small. Now I want to do this once and be done forever. We all have different reasons. Scrimping will bite you in the end. Bob

[fishnfireman]

Scrimping will bite you in the end.

Been there done that! Put 10 Gauge in last year -- traded up to Solix--- now I'm putting 8 gauge to the bow.

[T.CAT]

https://www.pacergroup.net/duplex-cable-10-awg/

[Erie660]

Do it correctly the first time.

What’s the recommended connectors to use when connecting to the power cord? Is the power cord 12,14 or 16 ga? Would you run the 10 ga to an inline fuse and then the inline fuse to the power cord? I did it on my last boat but can’t really remember. Thanks

[Wayne P.]

What’s the recommended connectors to use when connecting to the power cord? Is the power cord 12,14 or 16 ga? Would you run the 10 ga to an inline fuse and then the inline fuse to the power cord? I did it on my last boat but can’t really remember. Thanks

The power cord is at most 18 gauge.
Some use a step-down splice. BUT the best way is to support the splice via terminal block or fuse panel. Put a ring or spade terminal on the wires to connect to the block/panel.