1.) Swamp Fox - 07/08/2015

I'm no electrician, and I've quickly looked online for the answers with almost no luck, so I'm gonna throw this out there to you geniuses:

If I use 8-foot battery cables instead of 4-foot OE on a trolling motor, will that 1) reduce the power getting to the motor or its efficiency or 2) reduce my run time in any way?

Second, I haven't poked around to see what the connection looks like at the motor, but if it's a plug-and-play situation I can handle that myself if I can find the cable, LOL. [B]I'm not going to mess with splicing extra cable to the existing cable or much other DIY.[/B] Ideas as to the easiest way to get me an 8-foot cable set-up?

I've been told that a marine shop might make cables for me. I haven't noticed any such thing as pre-made cables.

This thread also has some ideas, but I haven't fully digested it:

[url]http://www.laflyfish.com/cgi-bin/bforum/viewtopic.php?id=2254[/url]

Thoughts?

2.) BULLZ-i - 07/08/2015

THE EXTRA LENGTH WONT DISTURB THE FLOW. JUST KEEP A NICE CLEAN AND TIGHT CONNECTION. AND YOU CAN GET A MAKE YOUR OWN KIT AT MOST ANY AUTO PARTS STORE AND EVEN WALMART.

3.) DParker - 07/09/2015

[QUOTE=BULLZ-i;33057]THE EXTRA LENGTH WONT DISTURB THE FLOW.[/QUOTE]

That's what [i]she[/i] said!

4.) Swamp Fox - 07/09/2015

Stay back!....I'm going in!

:wink

5.) The Old Man - 07/09/2015

I'd think it best to use bigger guage cable.

6.) Jon - 07/09/2015

I'm going to regret saying this since someone will probably copy it and throw it back my way someday in the future BUT..... Dan is right.
On a 12V motor dealing with that short of a distance, the current drop on 8' of cable is non existant for your application. Now, you go from 400' and extend it to 800', you WILL have issues. Using 8 or 10ga cable would be perfect.
Press on swampy

7.) billy b - 07/09/2015

Agreed, or just purchase a jumper battery with some of that "swampymoney"

8.) Swamp Fox - 07/09/2015

Jumper battery?

I know what a battery jumper is, and I'm familiar with jumper cables...LOL...but I'm gonna have to guess at "jumper battery."

Do you mean carry a second battery for when I blow the first one, LOL?

The link I posted above had some good info along the lines of what BZ and Jon said. Now I just have to look at what the connection at the motor presently involves and find the easiest way to rig something. As I said, I'm not keen on splicing anything, but I'll prolly be okay finding some connectors and heat-shrinking some ends. :wink

Sounds like jumper cables might be the easy solution for the main ingredient.

9.) Wild Bob - 07/09/2015

Let her rip! :-)

10.) billy b - 07/09/2015

I have one of these, everyone should have one, The kit comes with jumper cables, & a plug to recharge almost with a plugin receiver to recharge. It will jump start a diesel truck 5 times when fully charged, to recharge it just plug it in the cigar lighter in your Bronco or any 110. All plugs, cables & connections come with the kit. The entire kit weighs about a pound

[url]http://antigravitybatteries.com/microstart/[/url]

11.) Swamp Fox - 07/09/2015

That's really cool. I didn't know such a thing existed. I've seen some solar stuff but that's a little too techie for me...Maybe if the prices come down...

I'll have to look at that battery that's 12V-capable...I wonder how long it will run a trolling motor, LOL?

12.) bluecat - 07/09/2015

Way cool!

13.) billy b - 07/09/2015

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;33083]That's really cool. I didn't know such a thing existed. I've seen some solar stuff but that's a little too techie for me...Maybe if the prices come down...

I'll have to look at that battery that's 12V-capable...I wonder how long it will run a trolling motor, LOL?[/QUOTE]

I can get you a better price than list, I will check when I go back to work next week.

14.) BULLZ-i - 07/09/2015

IF PEOPLE ARE AGREEING WITH ME, THEN I MIGHT NEED TO RETRACT MY STATEMENT.

YOUR LIL TROLLING MOTOR DONT PUT OUT ENUFF WATTAGE TO JUMP TO A LARGER SIZE CABLE EXTENSION, HOWEVER IF IT WERE LIKE A WINCH OR SOMETHING WITH A HEAVIER DRAW, THEN I WOULD DEFINITELY BOUNCE TO A LARGER DIAMETER

15.) Wild Bob - 07/09/2015

[QUOTE=BULLZ-i;33103]IF PEOPLE ARE AGREEING WITH ME, THEN I MIGHT NEED TO RETRACT MY STATEMENT.

YOUR LIL TROLLING MOTOR DONT PUT OUT ENUFF WATTAGE TO JUMP TO A LARGER SIZE CABLE EXTENSION, HOWEVER IF IT WERE LIKE A WINCH OR SOMETHING WITH A HEAVIER DRAW, THEN I WOULD DEFINITELY BOUNCE TO A LARGER DIAMETER[/QUOTE]

Don't worry...I'll never agree with you. :-)

16.) Swamp Fox - 07/09/2015

[QUOTE=billy b;33102]I can get you a better price than list, I will check when I go back to work next week.[/QUOTE]

That would be great. Even at the list price, though, it seems like a more attractive option than solar...if I'm remembering the solar prices correctly. The solar stuff wouldn't jump anything though...Not that I know, anyway.

17.) BULLZ-i - 07/09/2015

[QUOTE=Wild Bob;33104]Don't worry...I'll never agree with you. :-)[/QUOTE]


AT LEAST THE INFO WILL HAVE A 50/50 CHANCE THEN

18.) Deerminator - 07/10/2015

Ditto what BULLZ-I and Jon said.
And Billy

19.) Wild Bob - 07/10/2015

:pop::-)

20.) Swamp Fox - 07/10/2015

I almost picked up a set of 12-ft 4-gauge jumper cables at Lowe's today but decided to look for something shorter and smaller, if such exists. I still haven't looked inside the motor to see what the connection looks like in there and if I even want to fool with it. I am taking the motor to an authorized service center to have the shaft shortened, so while I'm there I'll ask if they have any suggestions or will even do it themselves while they have me at their mercy in the first place.

I did have Lowe's cut me two 6-inch pieces of 6-gauge wire for a circuit breaker project for my battery box, so I suppose I could do something like that again for an 8-foot set unless I'm gonna insist on marine-grade and labeled as such. But until I can get to a marine shop...

If you all don't hear from me for a while, check with the UNC Hospitals Burn Unit...if you miss me...LOL...

21.) Hunter - 07/11/2015

Be sure and test the cables 1st..........

22.) Hunter - 07/11/2015

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;33112]
If you all don't hear from me for a while, check with the UNC Hospitals Burn Unit...if you miss me...LOL...[/QUOTE]

23.) Swamp Fox - 07/12/2015

LOL...


You're a sick, sick man...I don't care what anyone says...


:grin: