On Mon, 24 Sep 2007 10:51:40 -0400, Gene Kearns
wrote:

On Sun, 23 Sep 2007 19:11:30 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing penned the
following well considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:

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.


Lamp cord...... rigghhhttt.......

Well, for starters, it's not lamp cord. It's used on farms for
repairs to tractors, milking machines and a ton of other uses where
the capacity is less than required for #8.

Secondly, it has heavy quage strands and is stiff as a board.

The smallest marine battery cable than I know of is #8..... suppose
they are trying to tell you something???? Ditto the packaged terminal
set....

Wrong again.

I can point you to a number of manufacturers, includin Grady White who
use #10 cable in zip cord format for easier wire runs.