Battery Cable Questions

[spharis]

Can you post the connection runs for what length and what guage of cable you are running?

[chpthril]

I'm now trying to figure up how much cable I need. My plan was to only run NEW ground from the current battery to the new battery. I was going to leave the current grounds in place (original battery is already grounded).

Now, as per this thread, I am planning to purchase 2 AWG cable for power and ground. If my current grounds are larger or smaller than 2 AWG and I install 2 AWG for my new length of ground wire, will that create any issues?

I guess the same question would need to be answered for power as well. I'm going to use the current alt feed to run to the iso, and run new 2 AWG power from iso to both batteries. I don't know what size is currently there and I won't be able to check before I need to place an order.

Any advice is appreciated!

I think 2 ga will do just fine. When I added a 2nd deepcycle, I ran the POS from the new deepcycle to the original d/cycle and ren the NEG from the new d/cycle to the engine block stud where the factory grounds where.

I found this to be the easiest for me. Do what is the easiest for you as long as you have a good GND and Pos connection.

[Jeff T]

Can you post the connection runs for what length and what guage of cable you are running?

Actually no. I don't know exactly what length is going to be needed. I'm just going to buy more than what i think I will need. I was going to use 2AWG because that is what everyone recommended. I am going to try to utilize as much stock wiring as I can...meaning I plan to maintain the original grounds and just ground the new batt to the old. I also plan to use the alt feed that is already in place, assuming it is at least 2AWG, and the current POS starter cable.

I just wanted to make sure that if I add a run of cable that is a different length than what is already in place, it won't screw anything up.

If I had to guess on the run lengths I would say:
1-NEG approx 8.5 ft
2-POS approx 10 ft
3-POS approx 5 ft

If I have to run a new Alt lead: I'm guessing another POS approx 6ft long.

I was going to buy 30-35 ft of 2 AWG POS and 15-20 ft of 2 AWG NEG. This should leave me some spare if needed.

[chpthril]

Actually no. I don't know exactly what length is going to be needed. I'm just going to buy more than what i think I will need. I was going to use 2AWG because that is what everyone recommended. I am going to try to utilize as much stock wiring as I can...meaning I plan to maintain the original grounds and just ground the new batt to the old. I also plan to use the alt feed that is already in place, assuming it is at least 2AWG, and the current POS starter cable.

I just wanted to make sure that if I add a run of cable that is a different length than what is already in place, it won't screw anything up.

If I had to guess on the run lengths I would say:
1-NEG approx 8.5 ft
2-POS approx 10 ft
3-POS approx 5 ft

If I have to run a new Alt lead: I'm guessing another POS approx 6ft long.

I was going to buy 30-35 ft of 2 AWG POS and 15-20 ft of 2 AWG NEG. This should leave me some spare if needed.

Will your storage area allow for you to put the new batt. next to the original? If so mount the Iso close and transfere the Alt lead from the original to the center post of the Iso. That would save you some money (and time).

I would keep the cable runs as short as the install will allow.

[spharis]

Oh yeah....if youare leaving the stock connections then 2AWG is plenty to tie in the second battery. Go ahead and re-wire the alt wire qith 2AWG as well.

[Jeff T]

Will your storage area allow for you to put the new batt. next to the original? If so mount the Iso close and transfere the Alt lead from the original to the center post of the Iso. That would save you some money (and time).

I would keep the cable runs as short as the install will allow.

I've looked into that. I'm not sure it will fit. That trojan battery I'm looking at is huge, so I don't know if it will fit next to the starter. In fact, I'm not sure it will fit in the standard battery box, but that is a whole other issue. If it will, it will be VERY tight. I really won't know until I get started. I remember when I looked at it, I was thinking there is no way I'll fit another battery here.

For now, I was just planning to put the new battery in the free " battery cubby" on the starboard side and mount this iso in the upper left corner of the storage compartment. My preference would be to install both in the port side because that would allow me to use shorter power/ground for my amp and I will do that if I can.

[lee]

Yes I plan to reuse the starter cable. But I still have to run all the cable for everything else:
-Alt to iso (may reuse the alt lead already in place)
-Iso to Batts 1 & 2
-Ground from Batt 1 to Batt 2.

Will 2 AWG work for all these?

What you have in your boat from the factory is 2/0 not 2 awg.

[Jeff T]

The factory alt lead is 2/0 and grounds are all 2/0?

[lee]

The factory alt lead is 2/0 and grounds are all 2/0?

Battery and ground.

[spharis]

Yeah if you rerun your ground from your main battery and your positive from your battery to your starter you need to use 2/0. But since you say you are going to reuse your stock cables, then using 2AWG to tie in your second battery will be fine.

[dogbert]

The factory alt lead is 2/0 and grounds are all 2/0?

I'd go with 2/0. I'd also take your measurements to a local auto shop or your dealer and have them make you cables for the exact length. My dealer did this for me when I added my extra battery and the ground for my sound system. The cables turned out better than anything I could buy that's pre-fab.

If the cable is going to be in an enclosed area, you want to go bigger so there's less resistance and heat build up. I would not use 2AWG. The extra $$ for the 2/0 is worth it just so I know I won't have an electrical problem or fire.

[spharis]

If you get an electrical fire from tying in a battery with 2AWG, you have way more issues than just cable size! The ONLY component in a boat that requires 2/0 is a starter, and even that would probably do fine on 2AWG if the run is short enough. Your auto is probably using a 3ft section of 4AWG for a similar starter.

Here is a reference chart I found. This chart also adds in 5% voltage loss to determine the cable size for voltage spikes and such apparently.

http://www.e-marine-inc.com/products...rs/cables.html

notice a 150A starter at 10ft length is ok with 2AWG.

Here's another.....note the 120" at 150A is 2AWG
http://www.worldchat.com/~sva-sales/...ing_chart.html

[Jeff T]

It can't be difficult to make your own right? I plan on purchasing high quality cable in large lengths. Then, I can set my system up and create my cables to the needed lenght.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I would just need a crimper and heat shrink right? Is there a certain crimper that I need?

[spharis]

Making your own is easy if you have a vice for anything larger than 2awg. 2AWG crimps can be clamped using a hand crimp. Larger than that requires a vice. I also tin all my cables completely and into the crimp connector I used, then hit them with a few inches of shrink. A good sharp knife to trim off the sheathing is also a must. The 2AWG crimp connectors will crimp ok in a regular old hand crimp you buy at autozone/walmart/???. They are made for 4AWG, but it crimps the 2 just fine as well. Behind the hinge, you will see an indention for larger cable.

If you buy the fancy connectors with set screws, it is even easier, but I don't find them as secure.

[Jeff T]

Ok. I plan on buying tinned cable. How do you tin the terminals (if they aren't already)? Let me clarify one thing. When you say "crimp", do you literally mean the same crimping you would do for any other electrical connection, or is there a certain technique / hand crimper that is used for battery connections. Just making sure...