What Size Battery Cable for Boats

There are ways to determine the perfect size of the best battery cable for your boat. First, you should ask the manufacturer or the retailer of the cable if the wire will able to fit into the engine of your boat. This is an obvious and straightforward method, but if the manufacturer has a vast knowledge, then your query will be answered.

If the first method doesn't work, then you need to do a little math. Just directly determine the displacement size of your engine. This should be in cubic inches. If your engine's measurement is in liters, just convert it to cubic. 1 liter is equal to 61.02 cubic inches.

After you derived the displacement size, multiply it by the proper amps per cubic rating of the engine of your boat. Usually, the rating is as follows:

8 cylinder = 1 amp

6 cylinder = 1.5 amp

4 cylinder = 2 amp

For example, if you got a displacement size of 305.1, that falls on the eight cylinder rating. So your cable size should cater at least 305.1 amps. This is your current flow.

The higher the amperage, the longer cable you need. Big cables are also efficient in preventing voltage loss.

Usually, most boat engines have 12-volt circuits. Therefore, you can only determine the length and size of the cable if you know the current flow.

We already have shown you how to get the current flow. The only thing left to do is to go to look for a table that depicts the different number of amps and the corresponding cable size for them. Usually, cable manufacturers have this kind of table. 

Learn more about this topic you can visit this site.

How to Make a Battery Box

A battery box is a container to keep your power source from getting damages. Also, this tool is also helpful when it comes to securing those electrical connections. If you can't find the best marine battery box for you, you can always have the option to create one for yourself.

When making your battery box, you need to have a glass fiber, epoxy, and plywood. The external corners should be done from fiberglass, while the interior joints should be tightly sealed with epoxy and filler. Alternatively, you can use fluorocarbon resins because they are acid resistant.

In constructing the battery box, it should have a room allowance. For this, you need to put three wooden slats to surface inside your battery box. Glue these slates with neoprene strips so that they can regulate shocks and vibration. This type of construction will allow for the easy removal of the battery.

Although you need to keep the battery secured, it container should not be tight so that you take it out quickly. As you know, batteries are heavy. Handling them in a locked room can cause unwanted bruises and wounds.

We recommend that you build a battery box that has a removal side for your convenience.

Also, include a lip at the bottom to act as a tray that can collect any acid spills. Moreover, a gasket seal is also essential to contain the gasses producing when charging. 

If you want learn more about this topic you can visit this useful article Best Marine Battery Box Review 2016.

   

How does a battery isolator work?

A battery isolator is a kind of power source that lets electricity flow in one direction only. This type of battery is often used when an engine requires many cells. In the case of multiple batteries, the best battery isolator can assure you that one cell failure will not debilitate the entire system.

Battery isolators are commonly used in motorboats, large trucks, airplanes and any utility vehicles. Apparently, these vehicles require multiple batteries and a lot of backup power sources.

A battery isolator works by separating a congregation of cells from each other. In this way, a vehicle can still run if one battery dies out. This function is crucial to passenger planes and cars, where life is on the line.

Moreover, a battery isolator ensures that the engine will not take juice from the cells at the same time. This keeps your electrical system from functioning, without losing power too fast. Aside from that, an isolator has sensors to determine the number of batteries and which battery has the biggest juice.

An isolator is usually attached to the batteries. This device is then connected to the alternator of the vehicle.