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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Austin, Texas
    Posts
    63

    Default What gauge battery wire?

    I purchased the BlueSea add a battery system and I'm going to install it next weekend. The boat is 2007 Moomba LSV with 325 stock engine. I'm trying to figure out how many charging amps I get from the Alternator so I know whether to purchase #2 wire or #4 AWG wire and corresponding fuse. This wire will be used between switch and the auto charging relay to the batteries.

    Charging Amps / Minimum wire size* / Fuse rating
    60 / #6 / 80 Amps
    80 / #4 / 110 Amps
    100 / #2 / 150 Amps
    120 / #1 / 175 Amp

    thank you
    Last edited by ausbill32; 02-15-2010 at 05:56 PM.
    2007 Moomba LSV

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Stillwater, Oklahoma
    Posts
    400

    Default

    What is the wire gage being used currently? If I understand the question correctly, and your Add-A-Battery install is close to your current battery, go with at least the same size as currently being used. 4-gage seems real common, and is readily available.

    If you are splitting things out with some distance between the batteries, you might consider going a size larger, but know that done correctly, the Add-A-Battery should never see more than charging current. When in doubt, bigger is better than smaller for battery wiring.


    STUDY AND FOLLOW THE OVERCURRENT PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS CLOSELY. They are there to prevent fire and/or explosion in the event of a short-circuit.

    Phil
    Kicker

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Austin, Texas
    Posts
    63

    Default

    Okay thank you. I do plan on having one battery further than the other so I'll go with the #2 size. I like your idea that over is better than under. I was going to try and squeeze one battery under neath each side of the bow cushions but not sure if I can find a battery with such a low profile. I'm thinking extra ballast here...lol.

    thank you
    2007 Moomba LSV

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Vancouver WA
    Posts
    3,034

    Default

    Ausbill, If you have the stock Alternator than your system will never see more than 75 amps. Which means 4ga will be plenty for what your doing. In most cases bigger is better but your not going to see any added benefit over 4ga unless you increase your charging capabilities.


    PWI as usual...

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Des Moines, IA
    Posts
    3,237

    Default

    My BEP VSR came stock wired with 2/0.

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