2000 Honda BF 90 hp - starting current?

[DavidNolan598]

I have a 2000 BF 90 with 1100 saltwater hours.

The factory wiring harness started heating up near the neg terminal. Finally it went, with smoke and disintegrating.

I need to make new power cables from the battery to the motor starter and ground.

The cables are just over 8 foot long.

Im thinking 4 AWG Ancor wire with new lugs and crimped on.

I do not know the starting current draw for this Honda?

Does anybody know this or have a good ballpark?

Thanks

 

[hondadude]

Re: 2000 Honda BF 90 - starting current?

Cranking amps, under load, are 300 amps. Cranking amps no load are 90 amps

The 4 AWG at 8 ft should be ok for this engine. If you are going to extend them any further, then you should go to 2 AWG. That will start getting pretty stiff and not very good functionally with the motor.

Just for others who may be seeing this post.... if you are going to extend the battery cables to something other than 6 to 8 feet (ie. beyond the standard cable length). You should run the motor cables to battery distribution studs...like the 33000-ZY3-000AH on this Honda Website http://marine.honda.com/pdf/accessories/ml.rerap45a.MAC_Miscellaneous.pdf

then run heavy gauge cables (2 AWG or larger, depending on distance) to the battery or battery switch.

Mike

 

[DavidNolan598]

Re: 2000 Honda BF 90 - starting current?

Thanks Mike. I bought 4 AWG. My only source was West Marine.

I got a hosing as it was $129 bucks for a 25 foot spool at West Marine.

Jamestown had the same wire for $58.00 and 9 shipping.

Then somebody told me about GenuinDealz which sells it for like 1.25 a foot and will crimp ont he connections and heat shrink it for a buck a terminal.

Anyway i did it and she cranks great!

this time im going to put extra chafe protection on the power leads.

 

[hondadude]

Re: 2000 Honda BF 90 - starting current?

Glad things worked out. Thanks for the feedback.

Mike

 

[MikeTLive]

here 13 years later, I'm looking to do the same thing. extend my stock battery cables by about 8 feet ( 16ft additional round trip)
how flexible is AWG2 vs. AWG4 ? can i safely use AWG4? here's my plan and i'm wondering just how well the AWG2 will bend plus the need for a myriad of different LUG sizes

 

[MikeTLive]

another question - when stepping down from AWG2 to AWG4 at the studs, would I also need to fuse the AWG4 to protect the honda battery cables?

AWG2 -> STUD -> AWG4 -> 125amp fuse -> Honda outboard battery cables

using something like this https://www.westmarine.com/blue-sea-systems-safety-fuse-blocks-with-sealed-cover-P011975778.html

 

[MikeTLive]

reading more it seems i should lower the amps on the MRBF fuses on the battery terminals to 150amps protecting the whole circuit. the AWG2 is there not for amps but for resistance to minimize the voltage drop.

I would welcome any comments to help me here.