Trolling motor wiring size

[mosesmcrae]

I bought a 2000 Hurricane FunDeck 226REF that is prewired with #10 wires from the aft to an outlet in the bow.  The cord from my MinnKota 70 lb., 24 volt TM is also #10 wire and about 6 inches too short to reach the outlet.  MinnKota told me that to increase the length of the cord I have to move up to #6 wire!!!!  That is a huge jump in size.

My question:  Is the #10 wiring bundle to the outlet(over 20 ft. in length) sufficient for the TM I have?

Any electricians or very experienced users out there?

Thanks, mosesmcrae

[5ohhh]

Here's a quick guide for amp/feet/awg

24 Volt - 00-30 amps for 20-25ft = 8awg

24 Volt - 30-50 amps for 20-25ft = 6awg

Not sure what the TM draws in amps ... find that and you'll have your answer.

Rich

[roadwarrior]

Hey guys!

Two first time posters on the same thread, back-to-back.

Welcome aboard!

8-)

[5ohhh]

Thank you sir !

[mosesmcrae]

Thanks for the info!

[jhworley]

sorry to hop on this one...  :

I have a jetboat with my batteries in the front 1/4 of the boat...  I presently have a 24v 70 lb thrust tm.  I just bought a 36volt 101...  the wires I'm using are about 9' and #8awg.  Alot of folks have told me this will be fine, due to the short distance...  Minn kota says to use # 6.  I would prefer to not have to get new wire, crimp new fittings etc.  

Is #8 sufficient???

thanks,

jhw

[sneaker]

Your 36V or 24V motors will draw less than 40 amps at full throttle . The 20 ft boat will have 40 ft of wiring and it will drop 1.6 volts across all of the wiring at 40 amps. The 6 inch section will not make a significant difference if it is 6 gua or 10 gua. The boat with 6-8 gua has plenty of capacity for the motor he is using.

Be carefull when you get to the connectors. A loose connection here can cause a lot of heat and the melting of the connector. Make sure they are clean and I prefer to solder the wire to the connector if the connector allows. Some use screw clamps but can still be soldered if you are concerned about a screw working loose with all of the thermal cycling.

[jhworley]

I was curious how to figure out how many AMPS my 101 lb thrust 36 v would have at full throttle.  You said less than 40...? I'm not an electrician, and the manuals didn't state much (as far as I could find).  You mentioned 6" of wire???  I guess you are referring to the motor's plug to the female recep?  I actually have 8 feet of #8 Ga wire that goes to my 3 batteries from a female receptacle...   Going by minn kota's equation, I'll be fine... but I just want to clarify

thanks again

[sneaker]

JH-Sorry for the somewhat confusing answer. I wanted to answer Moses question also and made it less clear for both of you.

In 2004 MK published the volt/amp draw specs for all of their motors. Your 36v/101lb motor has a max draw of 37 amps.

One of the limitations of these motors is the size and durability of the brushes, which are in the current path thru the armature of the motor which the propeller is bolted to. The maximum current specified for any MK motor is 45 amps. That is probably all the brushes can handle and have a reasonable operating life.  

[mosesmcrae]

Genuinedealz.com has a wiring calculator on its site.  You enter wiring size, run,volts,amps and it will tell you the voltage drop.  This seems to me to be the big issue.  Is there any power left when it arrives at the motor?

I also find it interesting that MinnKota told me I had to go from their supplied #10 wire to #6 if I extended the wire and yet the largest plug they sell is for #8!!!

I guess I'm going to put the batteries up front and it won't be a problem.