Wiring for boat lift motor

Motor is currently serviced by 12ga romex which I do not believe is enuf for the long run out the dock.
I have a new circuit, 50amp breaker, 8ga stranded copper, to start from the house. We are looking at 700ft from the panel to a 1 hp motor which draws 13.4amps @ 115v. I plan to run wiring in PVC. Questions: do I have to use #8 wires or could I use #10 with a #12 ground? Does stranded vs solid copper make any difference?

Some motors can be rewired to run at either 110 or 220vac. If yours can, consider rewiring it for 220. The voltage drop would be less, allowing you to run smaller wires. See what the pros have to add.

FlaMike said:

Motor is currently serviced by 12ga romex which I do not believe is enuf for the long run out the dock.
I have a new circuit, 50amp breaker, 8ga stranded copper, to start from the house. We are looking at 700ft from the panel to a 1 hp motor which draws 13.4amps @ 115v. I plan to run wiring in PVC. Questions: do I have to use #8 wires or could I use #10 with a #12 ground? Does stranded vs solid copper make any difference?

Click to expand...

To be frank, if you have to ask about hooking up #10 to a 50 amp breaker, then you don't have the background to do this job safely. Please call an electrician before you hurt someone.

When it comes to wiring marine equipment at extreme distances, what you--and most non-pro message board participants, including myself, don't know--can very easily kill you. In addition to the minimum safe wire size for your breaker, you also need cable intended for use below ground (in PVC), you need to deal with the voltage drop issue somewhow, you need to meet requirements for motor overcurrent protection and service disconnects, and you need to address grounding and GFCI issues specific to dock equipment. #8 wire probably won't burn up under fault current held by a 50A breaker, but it won't address any of the other issues.

Call a pro.

I suspect the easiest solution may be to use a portable generator.

THANKS!.... agree a portable generator is best solution.... saves $$ and many hours in the wetlands and needed one anyway for outages.

NM cable nor UF cable are approved for use on at or going to boat docks! Call an electrician!

Before repairing it, I think it needs a lot of experience for giving a connections.So i would suggest you to go for a good electrician.

It may be possible to get your local power company to install a meter pole closer to your dock, where you could install a panel box with GF breakers for the dock system. 700' is a long way.

skdaddle, you do realize this thread is well over a year old......

Ha, it sure is! I am also well under a few days new to this site, still have lots to learn about navigating it, thanks!