Long battery cables vs. short battery cables

[lenny2113]

I want to move battery towards the bow of the boat to bring more weight forward.<br />Is there a drawback of having longer battery cables? <br />Where can I get long cables, about 15ft?

 

[buckeyedoll]

Re: Long battery cables vs. short battery cables

unwise. as i have found recently with my boat and i think it is with all marines. the more power to starter you can get the better. i.e. shorter, thicker cables with clean connections

 

[akriverrat]

Re: Long battery cables vs. short battery cables

battery in bow... in my boat in choppy water nobody wants to be in front, they move back to engine cover where they do not get beat up so bad. my battery would not survive very long up there.

 

[MrBill]

Re: Long battery cables vs. short battery cables

The draw back to longer cables is voltage drop. It is usually recommended not to exceed distances that incur more than 2% voltage drop. For a typical marine battery that operates at about 25 amps, #4 cables at 12 feet in length max's out that equation. Take a look at this chart....<br /> http://www.marksnyderelectric.com/catalog/voltdropchart.html <br /><br />Regarding where to find long cables...Cables as long as you are looking for would be rather expensive, and as with other components, don't substitute automotive stuff due to the risk of spark and related fire hazards. I buy the individual components separtely from a marine supplier (wire, cable ends, heatshrink covering, etc.) to make my own cables. It does not necessarily save money, but does provide for exactly the right length and type of electrical connection desired.

 

[drgaul]

Re: Long battery cables vs. short battery cables

lenny im not shure why people think boats are different from car's remeber all the plastic in a car, go open your hood and look some of these have the cables run right over plastic fender wells. lenny log onto summit racing they have battery relocation kits. they also have batteries that can stand almost any abuse you can give them ie 8gs this wount happen in most boats. also these same batteries can be mount even upside down. they have sealed battery boxes if you are worried about fumes and if you are worried about fires run the cables in elec-conduit, they have plastic you can heat it and bend it to any angle you want. remember your engine more than likely is not 500cid these relocation kits will work on your boat and you can also build them like mrbill said he does i do this also.(SummitRacing.com).drg

 

[akriverrat]

Re: Long battery cables vs. short battery cables

an egg can handle 8 gs if the load is applied gradually(1/2 second).in chop that load goes from negative gs to positive instantly. would not last an hour in my boat but i do not know your boat or operating conditions.good luck.

 

[ODDD1]

Re: Long battery cables vs. short battery cables

Go ahead and move it up front...with adequately sized cables no effect on starting should be noticeable...as far as pounding a battery to death, make sure it is firmly mounted and ignore the rest.

 

[horndog]

Re: Long battery cables vs. short battery cables

I know in a car you want a short ground cable and the longer you run the positive lead, the bigger the gauge you will need. To make a run 15-20ft you better get 4ga. or bigger, more like 1/0 gauge. 4gauge will run you almost $2/ft, 1/0 is about $2.50/ft.<br /><br />It is almost impossible to run a short ground cable in a fiberglass boat because there is no ground source, in a car, the whole body is a ground.

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: Long battery cables vs. short battery cables

Basic electric formula the longer the run the heaver the cable.!!!Without having a current loss.....

 

[rolmops]

Re: Long battery cables vs. short battery cables

hello.<br />My battery is tied down securely up front 14'away from the starter and sofar no trouble.I did it with a set of 16'long 4 gauge jumper cables on which I changed the connectors.The good thing is that jumper cables are very well insulated and they are cheaper than "battery cables".<br />Marine batteries are made to withstand a beating, so don't worry to much if they get one.

 

[lenny2113]

Re: Long battery cables vs. short battery cables

Thank you all for your help.<br />My marina has 1/0 cable at $7.50/ft. Do you know of a place who might have it cheaper? <br />I run a big car bettery in my boat. I can't recal the exact size, but it's taken off from S500 <br />Mercedes Benz. I don't think there is a big difference between marine battery and a big car bettery. <br />I will run a 1/0 cable and secure battery to the floor.<br /><br />Thanks to all.<br />Lenny