www.iFourWinns.com

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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2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon
2014 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 4x4

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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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

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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2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon
2014 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 4x4

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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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

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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2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon
2014 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 4x4

Well, it's just not the right way to do it. 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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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Go to tinnedwire.com

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

That's pretty good pricing.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Perfect, thanks!

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2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon
2014 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 4x4

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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NEW - 2000 Cobalt 246 w/454 Magnum 385HP | SOLD - 2000 FW Horizon 180 LS w/5.0Gi 250HP Volvo Penta

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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2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon
2014 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 4x4

I got a great price on custom battery cable from these guys...came fast too.

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

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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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

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.