On Sun, 23 Sep 2007 12:28:54 -0700, Tim wrote:

On Sep 23, 2:11 pm, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:
On Sun, 23 Sep 2007 15:19:31 -0000,
wrote:

I want to install my battery in the bow of my 16 foot skiff. The
battery will power the starter for a 25 horse electric start
evinrude.
The total cable length will be 18 feet, no breaks. What guage wire do
I need to use, do I need to use something as big as a car like 4
guage, or can I use 8?? How many amps does a typical 25 horse starter
draw?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Go to Abuchon's and get 20 feet of #10 zip wire. You don't need
anything larger than #10 - that starter doesn't require tons of amps.

Assuming you have a RV type battery, get 5/16 and 3/8 lugs - crimp on.

Get some shrink tubing for the lugs.

Get some acid free soldering flux.

Optional - obtain a circuit breaker panel like this:

http://tinyurl.com/2lnqz4

Run the wire, Install the shrink wrap, install the lugs, crimp them
lightly, solder the lugs, shrink the shrink wrap, hook up the circuit
breaker box (assuming you obtain one) and that's it.

No need for #8 or #4 - you don't have anything heavy enough on that
boat to require that.

Just Wait

For what?

Even for #8 Tom, tis best to have and not nead, than to need and not
have."

\However to eat my own words, I think that going "marine" this, and
"marine" that is a bit of over kill. I mean, I work around farm
machinery that sits out in the weather for years, and will take much
more of a beating than What that little skiff will ever see. And not
meaning to be offensive to anyone, but going to a marina to get
"marine grade" for this project is a bit overkill to the wallet
instead of hardware store and automotive parts that will function fine
with less pricing.

Tom, if 8 g. is too big, then go 10g. it's good for about 70a. on
12v . After all, the least it will do while cranking the 25 horse (if
having a hard to start spell). is slowly melt the insulation
off.. ?:

Duh - that's why I said go get some #10 zip cord. They sell it by the
foot. Uv resistant because they use it outside on farms. Cheap and
easy to use.

#8 is WAY overkill - #10 is overkill for that engine, but that's the
safest.