I recently purchased a pair of Yamaha FT50 outboards and the provided battery cables are only 7' long. I need at least 14'. I am considering replacing the entire cable rather than splicing. Any recommendations for the gauge of cable to use?
Go a size up at least. They always use minimums to save money and weight. You won't be sorry to increase the size and seal out water from the connection ends.
I think those are copper clad #4 wire, I would go #2 and no splicing. Using marine wire will help a lot. If you use conventional it will heat up and burn or turn black to the starter and etc. causing other problems. 14' is really a long way. I wouldn't hold the starter very long at that distance. 2 gauge runs about $5 a foot marine. 3/0 is $11 a foot I think. Those are tinned copper and the only way to go.I would think 2 gauge enough per engine. Although 14'x4 x $5.. Moving the battery would be soo much cheaper.
I came across a door crasher at a big box office store for the heavy duty Nascar branded jumper cables, I clipped the alligators off and soldered the marine battery connectors. It is 2 gauge. It may not be marine rate, but is working very well still. Cost about $40 all in all, and gave me two sets of 6' batt cables. If your able to move the batteries it would save you major coin.
