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Posts: 53
Location: Victor, ID | I just bought a new Terrova and it says 6 gauge cable should be used.
I've also read the Minn Kota wire gauge chart and it agrees.
Are all of you guys running 6 gauge wire/plugs?
I've got 20 feet to the motor on the bow.
I currently have marine 8 gauge installed with the boat.
Any helpful input is appreciated.
Edited by Polarkraft1996 3/21/2010 3:06 PM
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | I used 6 ga on my Terrova. I'd not underwire; I'd use at least what the manual suggests. But that's me. If you're gonna do it, do it right. |
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Posts: 53
Location: Victor, ID | My old Genesis ran fine on the current 8ga, I don't know the amp draw and I never really maxed it out.
I figure with the I-pilot that I'm adding to my new Terrova, I should do it right.
I ordered 6ga tinned with a marinco plug/receptacle.
I didn't think many used 6 gauge.
Edited by Polarkraft1996 3/21/2010 3:45 PM
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Posts: 80
Location: Geneva, IL | Make sure you also get the Marinco 6 gauge adapter. The plug-receptacle usually does not come with it and it is sized for 8 gauge:
Cabelas has it so does Amazon:
http://www.cabelas.com/p-0000967015230a.shtml
http://www.marinco.com/product/connectpro-receptacle-plug-and-6-gau...
BTW - You may run "fine" with 8 gauge wire but there will be a voltage drop at 20 feet and more current draw, thus diminishing your battery capacity for the motor. Use 6 gauge marine cable, a 60A breaker near the battery and correct terminals.
Edited by CrappieKid 3/21/2010 4:16 PM
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | Polarkraft1996 - 3/21/2010 4:44 PM
I didn't think many used 6 gauge.
I can't speak for other's, but I used it. That's an item that can be under constant high draw for an extended amount of time if I'm fighting the wind or fishing a channel and I don't want to have to worry about heat or high resistance. Like I said above, I thought, "if I'm gonna do it, I want to do it right." |
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Posts: 53
Location: Victor, ID | CrappieKid - 3/21/2010 3:55 PM
Make sure you also get the Marinco 6 gauge adapter. The plug-receptacle usually does not come with it and it is sized for 8 gauge:
I bought the beefy 6 gauge Marinco plug/receptacle.
Why does the Terrova have 8 gauge if they recommend using 6 gauge?
What good will 6 gauge do from the battery if the trolling motor is 8 gauge?
Edited by Polarkraft1996 4/7/2010 4:46 PM
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Posts: 433
Location: Cedarburg, Wisconsin | It actually doesn't make that much difference. According to my research, for a 60 amp load you drop 3V with 8ga. and 2V with 6ga. on a 20 foot run . Now stop and think how often you are going to draw 60 amps, like as in never. Yes, 6ga. will give you a little more speed and power at the motor, but I doubt whether you'd even physically notice the difference between the two in normal conditions. Maybe if you were running wide open into a horrendous wind or fighting current in a ripping river environment you could notice the difference. If you can easily run the 6ga. then by all means do it, but if it is a problem, 8ga. will still do OK in my opinion. |
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Posts: 53
Location: Victor, ID | According to this chart I will lose less than 1V running 6ga.
If I was to run 8 gauge I would lose 1.2V.
I guess the key is to keep your loss under 1V.
This is at 50Amp.
http://www.minn-kota.com/Minn-Kota-faq/Minn_Kota_FAQ.htm#6
Edited by Polarkraft1996 3/22/2010 6:12 PM
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Posts: 80
Location: Geneva, IL | From the Terrova manual:
"USE 6 GAUGE WIRE TO EXTEND POWER LEAD."
"WARNING - To prevent personal injury or property damage, always install a 60 amp manual-reset breaker in line with the trolling motor positive (+) lead as close to the battery as possible."
I bought and installed the MKR-19 breaker within 6" of my battery.
There really shouldn't be any debate (8ga vs 6ga). Take your time and do it right.
Edited by CrappieKid 3/24/2010 10:52 AM
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Posts: 28
| where did you find the motor amp draw? looking for amp draw on a terrova 24v 80, spec page does not open, and I don't see it in my owners manual.
pmv |
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Posts: 53
Location: Victor, ID | I couldn't find the amp draw anywhere in the manual either. I have a 12V 55lb.
I assume both motors are capable of pulling up to 50 amps.
I have an amp meter that I will use to test my draw at different speeds. |
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Posts: 28
| on that link you posted they discuss amp draw and use the words "minnkota published amp draws" might be on that spec page that doesn't open. I was trying to figure mine out, I have #8 wire but much shorter length, I used that chart and at 40 or 50a, still way below the 1v loss. I don't think it draws 50a, because that is the size of the breaker I have off of the battery, and have never tripped it. #6 is a safe bet.
PMV |
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Posts: 81
Location: Indiana | I know Ranger runs 6 guage and I have the Terrova 24V 80 with I pilot and I've never had a problem, I believe my older Ranger Cherokee had 6 guage as well. I had a 12v maxxum 50 and didn't have problems with it either. |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Dumb question, are you guys talking about wiring the female plug back to the batteries, or the male plug/cord from the tm? Don't most boats already have recepticle for the tm? What plug does the Minnkota come with, or doesn't it? I'm looking at one of these for a Ranger, which currently has the 4 pole recepticle. Thanks |
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Posts: 28
| this is a discussion on wiring from the batteries to the female plug. I don't think the terrova comes with a male plug, you put one on to match what you have or both. If you have a 4 prong female plug, you will need the 4 prong male that match's. You are going to only use 2 of the prongs-12v,24v,36v-only 2-just have to make sure you use the matching two between the male and female.
pmv |
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Posts: 53
Location: Victor, ID | The 6 gauge wire I bought makes the Terrova's wires look like 8 gauge.
Can anyone explain this?
Why would they do that?
I spent all this money on 6 gauge plugs/wire and now I find out that the Terrova itself is 8 gauge.
It doesn't make sense.
Edited by Polarkraft1996 4/7/2010 4:56 PM
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Posts: 1716
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | even if the TM uses a lower guage, let the minn kota portion of the wiring be the weak link. Then in a warranty situation, you are not to blame. They tell you to use 6 because for a length of 20 ft. 8 ga wire has too high a CURRENT drop, not voltage drop. The wire from the TM is a much shorter run, thus it can be of smaller wire. In all actuality it is the plug that limits most of the voltage. If possible bypass the plug if you are really worried about frying components and just hardwire it. |
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Posts: 80
Location: Geneva, IL | Use 6 gauge |
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Terrova wiring question. What gauge wire?