Bonding Wire Gauge

DWABoat

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2019
1,012
S Louisiana
Boat Info
2001 280 Sundancer
1989 220CC Cuddy Cabin
Engines
Twin 4.3 w/Alpha Ones
5.7 Mercruiser Alpha One
Been reading up on corrosion prevention in order to make an educated inspection of my 2001 280’s bonding system.

Read that ABYC specifies Number 8 or 6 fine strand wire for bonding. Although the amperage is not a concern, ABYC wants any electrons to flow with nearly no resistance at all, thus the heavy fine stranded wire. Okay. I got that. Seems excessive to me, but who am I to question.

My question: For the wire bonding the Mercruiser transom assembly to the steering arm and the inner transom plate to the bell housing, those are definitely not anything close to ABYC standard. The wires are more like 14 or 16. Are the Merc bonding wires not for corrosion bonding? Are they only for in electrical grounding? Does Merc just ignore the ABYC standard? (Merc could use a flat finely threaded strap like many auto makers to meet the gauge size.)

I am adding in a “Bonding Lug” for a hanging anode from BoatZincs to clamp to. I have some finely threaded number 12 green wire. Will that be okay if I use good crimp connectors and connect on a shared lug directly with another green bonding wire?

Lots of questions, I know. It’s just a complex issue.

Thanks for any responses.
 

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