Connecting an 8 awg wire to fuse block

[kevenpoore]

First post for me.

Have a 16 foot 1980 Skeeter with gas motor removed and replaced with electric dual prop motor (most Pennsylvania lakes ban gas motors). I have a trolling motor up front.

Boat has 3 batteries. One for each motor. I have a fuse block below the steering wheel.

Question is: I was advised an 8 awg wire would be best to connect one battery (not trolling one) positive to the fuse block and one 8 awg wire for ground back to battery negative. Problem is I cannot find any 8 Awg slide connectors. Seems to be a struggle for everyone else to find 8 AWG Slide connectors so I know I'm not the only one .

Options? Try to squeeze 8 Awg wire into a 10 Awg slide connector ? Use 8 AwG ring c[SUB][/SUB]onnector and solder to fuse block ? Ideas?

Thanks!

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Connecting an 8 awg wire to fuse block

Add a real buss bar,never attempt to squeeze the wrong connector on any wire. Besides the amps running through an #8 wire could cause it to heat up, thus melting your solder. Do it Right,seen way to much bad wiring on to many boats.
Grub

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Connecting an 8 awg wire to fuse block

trolling motor does not go to a fuse block. Either use a inline fuse with in 6" of the battery or use a breaker.

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Connecting an 8 awg wire to fuse block

trolling motor does not go to a fuse block. Either use a inline fuse with in 6" of the battery or use a breaker.

+1^ a trolling motor or,electric motor's,downriggers and any high amp draw,requires it's own electrical circuit,breakers/fuses.
Find someone who is close and knows what they are doing.
Grub

 

[NYBo]

Re: Connecting an 8 awg wire to fuse block

Welcome to iboats!:welcome:

trolling motor does not go to a fuse block. Either use a inline fuse with in 6" of the battery or use a breaker.

+1^ a trolling motor or,electric motor's,downriggers and any high amp draw,requires it's own electrical circuit,breakers/fuses.
Find someone who is close and knows what they are doing.
Grub

Guys, please note the bold, underlined phrase below:

Question is: I was advised an 8 awg wire would be best to connect one battery (not trolling one) positive to the fuse block and one 8 awg wire for ground back to battery negative. Problem is I cannot find any 8 Awg slide connectors. Seems to be a struggle for everyone else to find 8 AWG Slide connectors so I know I'm not the only one .

That type of connector isn't capable of carrying the maximum current an 8 gauge wire can, so I'm not surprised you can't find any. With this gauge wire you usually use a ring connector, but this doesn't help you if your fuse block only has provision for spade connectors. You can join the 8 gauge to a short piece of 10 gauge, then use a spade connector to attach to the fuse block.

 

[Auger01]

Re: Connecting an 8 awg wire to fuse block

Drill and tap the buss bar. Even better would be to get a new bus bar with screws. A picture of the current setup would help too.

 

[kevenpoore]

Re: Connecting an 8 awg wire to fuse block

Welcome to iboats!:welcome:


Guys, please note the bold, underlined phrase below:

That type of connector isn't capable of carrying the maximum current an 8 gauge wire can, so I'm not surprised you can't find any. With this gauge wire you usually use a ring connector, but this doesn't help you if your fuse block only has provision for spade connectors. You can join the 8 gauge to a short piece of 10 gauge, then use a spade connector to attach to the fuse block.

Thanks guys! That's right, the trolling motor is plugged into a 4 prong receptacle that is connected to its own battery. Not an issue here.

Connecting an 8AWG to a 10 AWG with a step down butt connector would be great - and I did think of that before, hence the squeezing into 10 awg connector question. A newer fuse block might also be a good way to go about it to reduce the frequency of interruptions on the 8 awg - inline fuse plus step down butt connector. i'll check that out re: price, etc. Thanks much!