24v battery set up - wire gauge

[Ted Martin]

What gauge do you guys use for the patch connector between the 2 batteries in a 24v setup?

I am running 6 gauge to the TM - should that short cable be the same, bigger? Does it make a difference?

[ifishinxs]

Mine is 6 gauge. Its only a foot long so shouldn't be an issue..

[billproxs]

MINE ARE 4ga on battery. bought on ebay pre made up.

[Ted Martin]

thx!

[LMOE]

I put 2 on mine coz I'm anal!

[Ted Martin]

I put 2 on mine coz I'm anal!

i guess i am too because when i was ordering parts i ordered 2 x 2awg tinned copper 3/8" lugs so i could grab about a foot of 2awg and connect them up.

[TMG]

I just redid mine from the factory, I used the same 6 awg.
I don't have much electrical experience.
I couldn't find a crimping tool that would do it anywhere local, I had to go to my shop and use my 100 ton press brake.
Do you guys have these pre made or do you order a tool to crimp the ends on the 2 Awg?
I probably should have just asked the marina I bought the parts to crimp them on.

[Ted Martin]

I just redid mine from the factory, I used the same 6 awg.
I don't have much electrical experience.
I couldn't find a crimping tool that would do it anywhere local, I had to go to my shop and use my 100 ton press brake.
Do you guys have these pre made or do you order a tool to crimp the ends on the 2 Awg?
I probably should have just asked the marina I bought the parts to crimp them on.

i ordered lugs when i bought the 2awg and 6awg cable. Then after i measured & cut my cables, i used a bench vice to tighten the lug, then soldered them in place with a propane torch and 60/40 rosin core solder until it filled up the lug.

I haven't tested them, but i bet i could hang quite a bit of weight from those connectors without them coming apart.

oh also added some heat shrink for cosmetic purposes. IMO its not needed, but it looks good.

[Ted Martin]

Here's the finished product. 2awg red cable between the batteries. 60a breaker in the back of the photo. 6awg running to the TM.

[Ted Martin]

this is the breaker i installed. used to have a cheap one and it melted instead of breaking. I guess technically it ended up breaking the connection, but there was no manual reset gonna happen, lol.

[TMG]

Thanks for posting.
Actually looks like my install. I used salt water safe heat shrink and the same breaker .
I got lazy and didn't mount the breaker yet though

[Ranger198700]

Wait don't you install the breaker on the positive? Unless your using black wire. The below pick is the same way

[Ranger198700]

Nvm I see it now

[Ted Martin]

yeah when i ordered the 6awg they didnt have it in red, so i ran both black. on the busines end i wrapped some red tape around the last foot or so, otherwise, knowing me i woulda got them mixed up

[cmb]

Mine is 6 gauge. Its only a foot long so shouldn't be an issue..

My jumper is short too( all cable is 6 gauge) but I wonder if it matters more, since I went to Lithiums for Trolling? I could certainly put a 4 gauge jumper in it's place, if it would be an advantage.

[Lou r Pitcher]

Here's the finished product. 2awg red cable between the batteries. 60a breaker in the back of the photo. 6awg running to the TM.

Fuse Holder and Wiring appears exposed directly across battery top and venting of corrosive acid gasses.

[Lou r Pitcher]

Slightly smaller Gauge used for a short jumper is far less important to design as any resultant voltage drop will not be that significant and fire safety of jumper wiring is not going to be a concern until it is far smaller size. .

[TMG]

Slightly smaller Gauge used for a short jumper is far less important to design as any resultant voltage drop will not be that significant and fire safety of jumper wiring is not going to be a concern until it is far smaller size. .

What is the correct gauge ?
My motor calls for 6 awg. I also used 6awg for the jumper.

[Lou r Pitcher]

That 6 AWG will be fine....... Goal only is to have no more than a 5% voltage drop (full circuit) when at full trolling motor power.

My preference for the jumper is for a smaller gauge than main runs as smaller wire is more flexible, less physically stressful on the terminals and little easier to work with at time of battery replacement. It dresses better in the crowded batter compartment.

[TMG]

Thanks