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PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 8:11 am 
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Location: Tulsa, OK
Hey guys,

I'm about to add a second battery and a Blue Sea switch. Should I just buy some bulk wire and terminate it myself, or would you suggest buying pre-terminated kits online? It seems easy enough to make my own wire and I can cut to a more precise length that way. Factory cables don't seem to be that large. What gauge do you suggest?

Thanks!
Steve

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PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 12:18 pm 
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Location: Long Island NY
I had a marine shop terminate them for me although if you have a heavy duty crimper you can do it yourself. I'd use Ancor marine wire in 2 gauge for the shorter runs and 1/0 for the longer runs if you have a set up where one battery is on the other side of the boat from the switch like I have.

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PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 2:06 pm 
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Man, that stuff is pricey. Almost $90 for 25ft at Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Approved-Marine-Tinned-Copper-Battery/dp/B00SULKLOG/ref=sr_1_7?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1467745374&sr=1-7&keywords=2+awg+marine+cable

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PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 2:39 pm 
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230 Mike
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Location: Kansas City, Table Rock Lake
Pricey, but it's the right stuff. I just received a new batch of Ancor wire, it's the only thing I use on most things, boat related or not.

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PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 2:51 pm 
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Any issues with just getting a single spool vs. having to pay for two spools (1 red, 1 black)? I can wrap the negatives in electrical tape to separate them visually.

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PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 10:25 pm 
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230 Mike
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Well, it's just not the right way to do it. :wink: Of course that would work fine, but it just goes against electrical system basics (and I would bet USCG regulations). Some day it could cause confusion or even danger for a future owner, and if a prospective buyer wants it surveyed as part of the purchase you'll end up paying for it anyway.

All that said, it's your boat!

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PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 12:31 am 
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Location: Winthrop, Ma.
Go to tinnedwire.com

Cables are easy to make up. Just need the right size lugs, but wire and bolt size.


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PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 3:57 am 
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230 Mike
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Paul I. wrote:
Go to tinnedwire.com


That's pretty good pricing.

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PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 8:23 am 
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Paul I. wrote:
Go to tinnedwire.com

Cables are easy to make up. Just need the right size lugs, but wire and bolt size.


Perfect, thanks!

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PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 9:03 am 
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Location: Lake St. Clair USA
230 Mike wrote:
Well, it's just not the right way to do it. :wink: Of course that would work fine, but it just goes against electrical system basics (and I would bet USCG regulations). Some day it could cause confusion or even danger for a future owner, and if a prospective buyer wants it surveyed as part of the purchase you'll end up paying for it anyway.

All that said, it's your boat!

I agree, in addition to safety, it is better just to do it right the first time than having to redo it.

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PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 9:09 am 
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Well my thought was that the whole run would be wrapped in tape, then after I posted I realized black shrink wrap tube would be even better. (you can buy 4ft long tubes on Amazon) You would never know the wire was originally red. However now that Paul shared the tinnedwire.com link I can purchase by the foot, so I will just purchase what I need in both colors.

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PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 9:24 am 
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I got a great price on custom battery cable from these guys...came fast too.

http://www.genuinedealz.com/custom-cabl ... e-assembly


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PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 3:15 pm 
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Location: Long Island NY
I also heard genuine deals was good. Do it right & once. I did mine about 10 years ago no real problems over the years. The OE cables on these boats are usually junk, at least mine were.

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PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 4:43 pm 
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Buy a hand held hydraulic hex crimper off Ebay ( with multiple dies) . Plus the end fittings and heat shrink adhesive lined tubing. I did, it all works really well.


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