Battery Cable size

Hightower · 08 February 2007, 18:28

Does anyone know what size of battery cable to use for a 150hp installation. These are the main cables from battery to outboard.

matt h · 08 February 2007, 19:12

25 mm Welding cable should be ample, the reason i say Welding cable, is that you can pick it up for a lot less!!!

RIB BOI · 08 February 2007, 19:19

I put 40mm on are 150hpdi on about a 4.5 meter run.

RIBBOI

Hightower · 08 February 2007, 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIB BOI

I put 40mm on are 150hpdi on about a 4.5 meter run.

RIBBOI

Wow 40mm2 that's BIG. Did you manage to get terminals that would fit on the end without being overkill at the outboard end?

I thought that 25mm2 would be OK.

BogMonster · 08 February 2007, 22:27

25 should be fine, its only a petrol engine of what, 2.5 to 3 litres capacity at most? I'd be more worried about how thick the insulation was on something like welding cable from a chafing point of view - the battery lead to my outboard is encased in a massive rubber armouring layer which makes it very resistant to chafing.

My jump leads at work are 35mm sq and I think they are rated up to 4 litre diesels, and diesels take much more ooomph because of having about double the compression ratio.

DJL · 08 February 2007, 22:29

Looking at my marine electronics catalogue, the starter cable is rated as:

170A - 25mm2
300A - 40mm2
350A - 50mm2

If your going for tinned cable then its rated capacity will be slightly lower than above.

Hightower · 08 February 2007, 22:35

That's great. I can aquire some copper 25mm2 and should be easier to source some terminals for. Thanks guys.

Nos4r2 · 08 February 2007, 22:58

Welding cable is actually quite tough-it gets a lot more abuse than you'd think. It's nice and flexible too.

bedajim · 09 February 2007, 06:56

What engine is it as some require more amps than others

James

Hightower · 09 February 2007, 11:48

Just talking in general terms James. No specific outboard in mind.

bedajim · 09 February 2007, 13:02

150 optimax with a 6.1 m cable run = 2 awg or 35mm

150 optimax with a 6.4 m cable run = 1 awg or 40mm

So it says in the manual

James

RIB BOI · 09 February 2007, 18:31

no prob with ends we have tons at work. easy to find some nice ones to fit. its was big cabel but some of the outboards we rig have biger.

RIBBOI

Hightower · 09 February 2007, 21:31

I had a little look today and found some nice 35mm2 stuff, used for DC drive motors. I'll have a couple of lengths of that. I also hapened upon some 16mm2 which should be OK for power to the Bus Bar and back.

Thanks guys

Rodan · 08 May 2007, 09:19

Could anyone advise cable I should use for my 225 Opti. Current one has chaffed through so I took it off and would like to know where I can get this replaced and what cost would most likely be! At a guess 5 to 6m in length...

Cheers

codprawn · 08 May 2007, 11:55

As someone suggested earlier welding cable is the easiest and cheapest route to go.

bedajim · 08 May 2007, 12:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodan

Could anyone advise cable I should use for my 225 Opti. Current one has chaffed through so I took it off and would like to know where I can get this replaced and what cost would most likely be! At a guess 5 to 6m in length...

Cheers

AWG 2 (33 mm square) for up to 6.0 m
AWG 1 (42 mm square) for up to about 7.5

I used tinned from safety marine very flexible

Rodan · 08 May 2007, 13:10

How do you grade welding wire so I get the right stuff?

jwalker · 08 May 2007, 13:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodan

How do you grade welding wire so I get the right stuff?

Don't ask for welding wire cos that is commonly how MIG welding wire is referred to. You need the type of cable used for connecting the welding set to the work piece.

Just get the fattest you see fit. Although I recommended welding cable a good while back and it is very suitable, I've also recommended this; largely because it's easier to source and secondly because of it's coloured sheath. I've used it for wiring my diesel starting circuit without a problem. However, I see they are now only 4.5metres in length so that may be limiting for you.