97 150 hp carb battery cables

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I want to purchase two new battery cables red and black for my boat. The old ones are getting raty but I'm unsure of the gauge.
Any ideas?

 

[Chris1956]

o gauge AKA 1/0 gauge.

 

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Ok thanks for that.
I just noticed my OLD wire was showing 6 gauge even though it's crumbling and corroded.

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, 6 ga is pretty thin for battery cables. 4 ga is for 100amps, which is marginal, for a starter. I would go at least 2 ga.

 

[dingbat]

Replaced both motor and house cables this Spring.

The Evinrude/Johnson OE cable for my 200 Ocean Pro is 6 gauge.

 

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If I understand this correct.
The bigger the cable size the better however it cost more.

 

[dingbat]

If I understand this correct.
The bigger the cable size the better however it cost more

Using a wire larger than nesscary to carry a given load is a waste of money.

 

[Chris1956]

Yes, smaller gauge wires are thicker. AWG originally referred to the number of times the wire was drawn thru the die to reduce it's diameter to the right size.

Zero AWG wire is good for 150 amps. 4 AWG is only good for 85 amps. Starters can use 150 Amps, however, battery cables are usually only 12' or so.

In military terms, gauge actually means the number of bullets/projectiles necessary to weigh a pound. A 12ga shotgun uses shells where 12 of these shells weigh a pound. 16 ga shotgun needs 16 shells for a pound. Not sure about 410ga.

 

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Mine are only 6 feet long

 

[dingbat]

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