Will 8 Gauge wire support 50 amps?

Question

I need to rewire my boats trolling motor wiring.. I have a 55# thrust trolling motor witch draws about 45-50 amps under a full load. I have 8 GA on hand I could use.. but would I get full power out of my motor? Does 8 gauge wire support 50 amps? It is stereo wire.. Braided copper wiring.

Answer 1

8 GA will handle about 100A MAX, you should be good.



http://www.the12volt.com/wiring/recwirsz.asp



best bet is to use marine grade tinned wire, it will last a LOT longer that stereo wire, even good stereo wire. You can get it by the foot relatively cheap on ebay.



http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=marine+wire+8&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_dmpt=Boat_Parts_Accessories_Gear&_odkw=marine+wire&_osacat=0



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/8-2-AWG-Marine-Tinned-Boat-Cable-Wire-Blk-Red-PER-FT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem5883422c81QQitemZ380159274113QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

Answer 2

How long is the wire run? 8-gauge can handle 50 amps safely, but you may get an unacceptable level of voltage drop if the wire run is very long. If it's just a few feet, it should be fine.



If you have enough wire, you can always use two runs. If you combine two 8-gauge wires, it's the equivalent of a 5-gauge wire.

Answer 3

i think u need 4 gauge ...but read the coating on the wire u have it may have amp rating on it

Answer 4

usually up to 60amps 8 gauge will be sufficient