Battery cable size

[Gilera]

I need to replace my battery cables. Motor is a 1975 115hp Johnson V4. Reading the original manual is says 6 ga in the wiring diagram. Would this be what is called AWG these days? When I look up equiv of this it seems to indicate that this is 16mm2. I would think this is on the small side and my old cables seem larger than that based on their diameter. There seems to be many different ways of quoting wire size in cross section which makes it confusing. What do people generally use?

[James45157]

I need to replace my battery cables. Motor is a 1975 115hp Johnson V4. Reading the original manual is says 6 ga in the wiring diagram. Would this be what is called AWG these days? When I look up equiv of this it seems to indicate that this is 16mm2. I would think this is on the small side and my old cables seem larger than that based on their diameter. There seems to be many different ways of quoting wire size in cross section which makes it confusing. What do people generally use?
awg is the type of insulation on the wire

[David - WI]

I use welding cable, it's more flexible so it seems easier on the cowling & rigging fittings when you raise & lower the bjackplate or trim the motor way up.

[4Speed]

I always thought AWG was American Wire Gauge and was the measurement of the conductor diameter. Didn't think it had anything to do with insulation type.

[KeninSC]

AWG is American Wire Gauge and is the measurement of the copper inside of the insulation. Different types of insulation have different thicknesses which change the physical OD. #6 or #4 AWG will be fine. Welding cable has a bunch of strands which makes it more flexible and is a good choice. Any cable rated for flexing will be fine though.
I always thought AWG was American Wire Gauge and was the measurement of the conductor diameter. Didn't think it had anything to do with insulation type.

[Gilera]

Thanks everyone.

[perfmarine1]

It is best to go with tined marine wire it will not corrode.

[XstreamVking]

Size of wire depends on the length of the run. There are many wire size calculators on line

[Aaronhl]

on my last project i used 6 AWG marine wire off ebay with pre crimped connectors, seems to work very well

[Gilera]

Thanks I ordered some good quality twin core tinned 6ga with many small diameter wires. I'm thinking that apart from the size and number of strands, the smallest ga wire that will handle the amps will also help with flexibility. The outer black sheath on my old wires was very hard after being in the sun for a few years which also didn't help.