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Author Topic:   1985 Outrage 18 Battery Cable

18Whaler posted 06-17-2009 01:01 PM ET (US)
What size battery cable is needed for a 1985 18 ft Outrage with batteries located in the console? Engine is a 2000 150hp Johnson. Also I don't have access to the boat till the weekend and it looks like a rainy one, Does anybody know what length battery cable I need to reach the batteries in the console of a 1985 18ft Outrage?
Thanks....Mark
Phil T posted 06-17-2009 01:08 PM ET (US)
I would use 2 gauge. Remember to get marine, tinned wire.
Blackduck posted 06-17-2009 02:52 PM ET (US)
If you are running the cables to the right side corner, where the original 50 amp breaker was located, 14'. If you are running directly back to the motor, not the best way, you will need 20' or so.
18Whaler posted 06-17-2009 07:03 PM ET (US)
Was this 50amp breaker located at the stern under the gunnel? If the prefered method is to run a cable to this breaker do you then just use a couple of terminal posts under the starboard gunnel to then run the cable to the engine?
Thanks
jimh posted 06-17-2009 07:47 PM ET (US)
In power distribution circuits where the voltage is below 50-volts, the conductor size has to be selected with regard to the maximum voltage drop rather than the maximum current capacity of the conductor.
Blackduck posted 06-18-2009 10:17 AM ET (US)
Yes, this is the location. Move the 50 amp breaker to the console, in its place get a 2 terminal power post to attach the cables from the battery to the cables from the engine.
18Whaler posted 07-04-2009 05:19 PM ET (US)
Which is the prefered method of connecting batteries to the engine? Run a continuous wire from the batteries in the console to the engine or run the battery cables to a terminat post under the starboard gunnel and then run the OEM engine battery cables to that terminal post.
Thanks
jimh posted 07-05-2009 08:52 AM ET (US)
If you are interesting in reliable operation, the primary battery distribution wiring to your outboard motor from the battery should be as secure and straightforward as possible. The antithesis of reliability is to make a splice or connection in a rigging tunnel. Using a terminal block is a good idea, but the terminal block will have to be mounted in an area which is protected from the weather and spray.
White Bear posted 07-07-2009 11:04 AM ET (US)
Please, please, please, let's not go through the voltage drop issue again, For the 18' Outrage put your battery switch inside the console, use 2 gauge wire routed under the deck to starboard, up the BW wire chase to the underside of the gunwale and aft to a terminal block where you can connect to the existing engine wires. Connections are protected, wire is large enough to handle the voltage and current drain and everything works as intended.
jimh posted 07-09-2009 10:24 PM ET (US)
Voltage drop is not an "issue." It is a simple property of electrical circuits. Maybe we should all bury our head in the sand, too.

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Author	Topic: 1985 Outrage 18 Battery Cable
18Whaler	posted 06-17-2009 01:01 PM ET (US) What size battery cable is needed for a 1985 18 ft Outrage with batteries located in the console? Engine is a 2000 150hp Johnson. Also I don't have access to the boat till the weekend and it looks like a rainy one, Does anybody know what length battery cable I need to reach the batteries in the console of a 1985 18ft Outrage? Thanks....Mark
Phil T	posted 06-17-2009 01:08 PM ET (US) I would use 2 gauge. Remember to get marine, tinned wire.
Blackduck	posted 06-17-2009 02:52 PM ET (US) If you are running the cables to the right side corner, where the original 50 amp breaker was located, 14'. If you are running directly back to the motor, not the best way, you will need 20' or so.
18Whaler	posted 06-17-2009 07:03 PM ET (US) Was this 50amp breaker located at the stern under the gunnel? If the prefered method is to run a cable to this breaker do you then just use a couple of terminal posts under the starboard gunnel to then run the cable to the engine? Thanks
jimh	posted 06-17-2009 07:47 PM ET (US) In power distribution circuits where the voltage is below 50-volts, the conductor size has to be selected with regard to the maximum voltage drop rather than the maximum current capacity of the conductor.
Blackduck	posted 06-18-2009 10:17 AM ET (US) Yes, this is the location. Move the 50 amp breaker to the console, in its place get a 2 terminal power post to attach the cables from the battery to the cables from the engine.
18Whaler	posted 07-04-2009 05:19 PM ET (US) Which is the prefered method of connecting batteries to the engine? Run a continuous wire from the batteries in the console to the engine or run the battery cables to a terminat post under the starboard gunnel and then run the OEM engine battery cables to that terminal post. Thanks
jimh	posted 07-05-2009 08:52 AM ET (US) If you are interesting in reliable operation, the primary battery distribution wiring to your outboard motor from the battery should be as secure and straightforward as possible. The antithesis of reliability is to make a splice or connection in a rigging tunnel. Using a terminal block is a good idea, but the terminal block will have to be mounted in an area which is protected from the weather and spray.
White Bear	posted 07-07-2009 11:04 AM ET (US) Please, please, please, let's not go through the voltage drop issue again, For the 18' Outrage put your battery switch inside the console, use 2 gauge wire routed under the deck to starboard, up the BW wire chase to the underside of the gunwale and aft to a terminal block where you can connect to the existing engine wires. Connections are protected, wire is large enough to handle the voltage and current drain and everything works as intended.
jimh	posted 07-09-2009 10:24 PM ET (US) Voltage drop is not an "issue." It is a simple property of electrical circuits. Maybe we should all bury our head in the sand, too.