longer wires for battery chargers

[EricCO]

I ordered a battery Charge Pro 2611 10 amps/2 batteries charger and will need to extend one set of the wires to reach both the cranking battery and the trolling battery. Cabelas was out of stock on the wire extensions for who knows how long.

Can I just use some 6 guage wire and splice it into one of the leads? Why would a guy need to buy the extension?

Please advise or I will have a fiberglass marshmallow roast in my driveway.

[Wally on Leech Lake]

I've used regular 6 ga wire on numerous occasions without problems. Consider sodering the splice

[TJ(wi)]

1) Get some marine wire the same gauge as the wire on the charger in the length necessary for your extension. Buy a little extra length, just in case.

2) Get ring terminals and butt connectors in for gauge wire you will be using. You might have trouble finding these larger ring terminals and butt connectors - try marina parts departments, hardware stores or auto supply stores.

3) Get some shrink tubing that will just slide over the wire insulation.

4) If insulated, remove insulation from ring terminals by heating with a match or torch and pulling off with a plyers. Heat softens the insulation. You can "push" the butt connector out of its insulation with a screwdriver.

5) Separate wires enough to slide shrink tubing on.

6) Make your connections - crimp wires into butt connectors and ring terminals.

7) Solder connections. I use a propane torch. Its fast. Allow to cool.

8) After cooling, slide shrink tubing over the connections and heat.

9) Walla - your done!

You also want to add additional electrical tape for extra insulation.

[Dave in Mpls]

Yeah, I think 6 gauge would be plenty adequate. Of course, so would 8, 10, 12, or 14, assuming your not gonna extend it more than ten feet or so (you run a 14' tri hull if I recall). The Charge Pro utilizes 14 gauge from the charger (the leads should be 4 feet or so, I believe). If you were to buy and extension from Guest, it would be 14 gauge. I used 12 gauge on my 2631 so I could sleep better. 6 gauge would be WAY overkill!!

Regards