Question about gauge of wire.

[kissfan4]

Installing a new trolling motor on my Tracker 175, it currently has 8 gauge wire, and the chart for Minn-Kota says for a 15 foot run 8 gauge is good, but for 20 foot run, 6 gauge is recommended. I am obviously right there in the middle, so should I up it to 6 or not? I don't want to make more work for myself if not needed.

[MichAngler]

What amps is your trolling motor drawing?

Going off your information I’m guessing 25 to 30 amps?
If it’s more than that 6 AWG is warranted

If your pulling 25 to 30 amps the 8 AWG will work and I assume it came from the dealer like that?

If you do replace the 8 with 6 make sure to get tinned wire and that it has at least a strand count of 133/27 but 259/30 is better – that’s 259 strands of 30awg

Note the more strands the better they make 6 awg up to 1078/36 but this is over kill

[justinp61]

^^Good advice^^

[Bradrodfish]

JMP. To be safe I would go with 6. That way you can be assured that yo will get better performance from your troll motor. Being an electrician I never cut corners because the result could be a very negative impact.

[bassfisher444]

I ran a 24v 80 lb thrust trolling motor with the factory 8 gauge wire in my Tracker for 4 years and never had a single issue.

[procraftokie]

After talking with the motorguide people who insist on being as difficult you need 4 gauge. In fact they are quick to blame all your TM issues on your wiring… even if it was water getting in your motor that caused it.

[illinifish]

If you think you may ever upgrade I would go 6 and that should cover any future need you may have

[procraftokie]

This is exactly right

[kissfan4]

So i am sure I will catch some grief, but I got a really good deal on an Ultrex 112, yes I know it is way overkill for a tracker 175, but I got the motor, and a 36v lithium for less than an Ultrex 80. I looked at the chart that is in the installation manual and it shows wire gauge for 112 being 8 gauge all the way up to 25 feet, which is different from the online chart. Also, with the 175 being such a light boat I don't forsee ever running the trolling motor at 100% for extended periods of time, so I am wondering if the 8 gauge wouldn't be sufficient in my situation.

[bassfisher444]

8 gauge will be fine for that.

[MichAngler]

Ultrex 112 pulls 58 amps at full speed and although you don’t need it we both know you will use it from time to time

You will need the 6AWG and a 60 amp breaker

[kissfan4]

Ultrex 112 pulls 58 amps at full speed and although you don’t need it we both know you will use it from time to time

You will need the 6AWG and a 60 amp breaker

I have the breaker, I am just confused as to why there is a discrepancy between the manual, and the web regarding 6awg or 8awg.

[86 inches]

Then get the Blue Sea Systems app and do the calculations yourself.

[JK9027]

Forgive my ignorance in not being able to post the pic but mk chart for wire size plainly states that 8 awg is good for 25 ft at 112. Just sayin

[kissfan4]

Forgive my ignorance in not being able to post the pic but mk chart for wire size plainly states that 8 awg is good for 25 ft at 112. Just sayin

That's what I am saying the chart in the printed version of the manual says 8 is good, in the chart on their website it says it changes to 6awg.

https://minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com...-battery-guide

[MichAngler]

US Coast Guard says for non-critical circuits 6awg is required

AWG.jpg

[SLYDoggie]

US Coast Guard says for non-critical circuits 6awg is required

AWG.jpg

I hadn't seen this chart before. Thanks for posting it.

I guess Minn Kota considers the Quest to be in the "Critical" category because the chart with my Ulterra Quest states the following wiring requirements:

@24V = from 5' to 14' - 6AWG, from 15' to 24' - 4 AWG, 25' and over - 2AWG
@36V = from 5' to 24' - 6AWG, 25' and over - 4AWG

... or they are just conservative for good measure.

[Bass in the grass]

You will have turns in the wiring, just because your boat is only 17’, that doesn’t mean your wiring will be 17’. Unless your batteries aren’t in the rear, like every one else’s.

[Bryanmc57]

Just my opinion but if you're going to pull wire anyway, I'd go with 6ga.

[justinp61]

I ran my 80# Fortrex for a couple years on 8 gauge, the only problem I had was the plug I installed with the TM. It was only rated for 30 or 40 amps, it overheated and melted. I didn't run the TM wide open very often and that is probably why I had no issues. The boat had an 80# Maxxum on it when I bought it, who knows how many years it had been on the boat. Having said all that when I upgraded to a Ghost I also upgraded to 6 gauge wires, a 70 amp plug and a 60 amp breaker.