Catalina - Capri - 25s International Assocaition Logo(2006)  
Assn Members Area · Join
h.jpg Home.
a.jpg Association Forum
s.jpg Ships Store
c.jpg Cruising
r.jpg Racing
t.jpg Technical Tips
g.jpg Photo Gallery - New
o.jpg Boat Search - Updated
m.jpg Manuals & Brochures
3rdrpt.jpg Swap Meet
l.jpg Links
f.jpg Officer Flag Line & Staff
b.jpg Bylaws & Constitution
 
1.jpg Members Area
1.jpg Join the Association
 
Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
 
Association Forum
Association Forum
Home | Profile | Register | Active Topics | Forum Users | Search | FAQ
Username:
 Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

 All Forums
 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 General Sailing Forum
 Installing 6 gauge wire into 8 gauge hole		  New Topic  Topic Locked
 Printer Friendly
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  

albert
Captain

Member Avatar

USA
262 Posts
Initially Posted - 06/19/2005 :  10:58:26  Show Profile  Visit albert's Homepage
I'm using a trolling motor connector to install my outboard starter cables.

My problem is that I've got 6 gauge wire and the connector has holes for 8 gauge. Instructions say NOT to solder the wire. My plan is to give the 6 gauge wire a "hair cut" and trim it down to 8.

Any recommendations?
Albert Iturrey
al@comhertz.com
Abacus 1984 C25 #4679
Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1349 Posts
Response Posted - 06/19/2005 :  11:20:57  Show Profile
Everything I learned in school was that is a no-no. It supposely increases the resistance in the wire and thus makes it hot and hot wire is bad, since it has a tendence to melt things. Don't know how far your run is, but 8 guage should be plenty big enough.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

thaind
Navigator

Members Avatar

Canada
145 Posts
Response Posted - 06/19/2005 :  13:59:30  Show Profile
If 6 guage wire is needed that is your only option. If 8 guage is marginal I don't think that using 8 guage would heat that much for the amount of time a starter is used, but if 6 guage is required, by trimming 6 guage to 8 you will concentrate any heat build-up at the connector which is not a good idea.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

albert
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
262 Posts
Response Posted - 06/20/2005 :  00:04:51  Show Profile  Visit albert's Homepage
I only need to trim 1/2". Its only to get the 6 gauge to fit into the back of a connector that is only sized for 8.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2984 Posts
Response Posted - 06/20/2005 :  10:43:09  Show Profile
Albert, your on the right track... the #6 wire is used to reduce the voltage drop compared to the #8 and that is a function primarily of the length of the run. The short splice won't factor as much of an issue.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

ilnadi
Captain

Members Avatar

452 Posts
Response Posted - 06/20/2005 :  14:19:12  Show Profile
Arlyn is right. The voltage drop and heating is spread over the length of the wire (for a starter that runs a short time, drop is probably more important than heating). I'd start trimming 1-2 strands at a time until it fits in.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

roberoo
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
182 Posts
Response Posted - 06/20/2005 :  22:41:53  Show Profile  Visit roberoo's Homepage
Albert,

I did exactly what you are doing to install the trolling connector. And now on the second year no problems at all.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

albert
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
262 Posts
Response Posted - 06/24/2005 :  02:34:13  Show Profile  Visit albert's Homepage
I ended up soldering the 6 gauge wire to the 8 gauge. I used a size 6 butt connector, rosin solder, and heat shrink insulation. Works fine now.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page
  Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
 New Topic  Topic Locked
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:
Association Forum © since 1999 Catalina Capri 25s International Association Go To Top Of Page
Powered By: Snitz Forums 2000 Version 3.4.06
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.