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15 HP Outboard Starting Circuit, does this sound right?

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hriehl1
Topside Painter
Posts: 126
Joined: Fri Aug 28, 2009 6:53 pm
Boat Name: s/v Mooney Hahn
Boat Type: '68 DS I; '68 Hinterhoeller 28
Location: So. NH / Merrimac Valley

15 HP Outboard Starting Circuit, does this sound right?

Post by hriehl1 »

I have a 15 HP 1980s vintage Mariner 2-stroke. The Service Manual indicates the starter circuit has an inline 20 amp fuse. I'm only wondering because the prior owner had cable going from the batteries back to the outboard that would probably light up the Golden Gate Bridge. If 20 amps is what is called for, then I'm thinking an AWG 8 run of 6 feet (each way) should be way more than fine. But the AWG 2 or 0 there now is way overkill.

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Ryan
Skilled Systems Installer
Posts: 223
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2005 2:14 pm
Location: NE GA

Re: 15 HP Outboard Starting Circuit, does this sound right?

Post by Ryan »

8AWG is more than enough for a 12' round trip wire run on a 20A circuit. Keep in mind that the starter will draw more than 20A for a short time, but even so, 8 AWG will put you in better standing that factory sized wire for any 15HP outboard I have ever seen.
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