Using Jumper Cable wire for 24v Trolling Motor System?

[bassfighter]

Can I use the wire on a Jumper Cable to hook up two 12V Deep cycle battery to create a 24V system for Trolling motor? For years , I have been using Jumper cable wire to connect the 12V Deep cycle battery to my Trolling motor.

 

I was reading that I should use 6Awg wire for 24V system. I believe some Jumper cable wire are around 8AWG.

 

How do I determine the gauge thickness on a Jumper Cable?

[dheitzner]

I bought an 18" battery jumper cable from a battery shop: no issues.

I'd imagine you could buy a short length of 6Awg and the end pieces (to hook onto the battery) for a few bucks if you wanted to do it yourself.

[Garnet]

Quick trip into ctc will get you same thing ends attached ready to go.

[aplumma]

Marine Grade:

There are several types of "Marine" wire. It's usually rated for a higher temperature and "wet" (think submersed) applications. it is also has a requirement that it be "self-extinguishing". That is extremely important on a boat in the middle of nowhere. SGT-M is SGT battery cable rated for marine use and is only a little more expensive than SGT. Some marine grade wire is "tinned" (plated) to help reduce corrosion and has a high strand count like welding cable. it can get very expensive (twice as much).

If your boat catches fire and you go for a insurance claim it will be denied even if you use 6 gauge wire and it does not have the (M) rating for marine on it.

Art

[BillM]

I've always used a jumper cable with some crimped ends on them in our 24V setup.. Never a problem.

Edited June 28, 2017 by BillM

[dave524]

Be careful there is a wide range of wire quality and size in jumper cables, they go anywhere from 20 bucks to over a hundred mainly because of the grade of wire used.

[NANUK]

Jumper/booster cables will do the job, but it's not the proper choice,

Most jumper cables now are made out of copper clad Aluminum ( read the box ), only designed to give a momentary boost, and save money, not good for prolonged load application like trolling motor etc, I don't even trust them as booster cables,

I would use a proper marine grade cable of correct gauge for the trolling motor.

[Sinker]

Yup, just go get the right cable. Any automotive/battery/marine shop will have it. Probably cheaper than booster cables too. Look in the car audio section.

[Smokercrafty]

Find any heavy truck dealership, ask for battery to battery jumper cables. Pre-made and already the perfect length. Also come in black and red to easily distinguish.

(I'm knowingly saying this, only cuz my dealership sells them)

[Pikeslayer]

The whole concept of using jumper cables as a permanent solution is a little too redneck for me

And I've been known to incorporate some redneck temporary fixes from time to time

[kenzy31]

Car audio 8G power wire. $2 per foot here in Barrie for the nice soft, good quality stuff. The previous post about jumper cables being copper clad aluminum is spot on. And more expensive! lol I just wired up a new Motorguide and glad I went this route.

Thanks to the members here for the help in battery choice too, I'm very pleased I came here for advice