extend battery cable to 12 trolling motor

by Ken Rodgers
(Minneapolis, MN USA)

I have a new 12 volt Minn Kota Power V2 with iPilot i'm installing on my 16' jon boat. The unit itself is mounted but I found out the twin (8 gauge ?) battery does not reach to where I want to mount the battery. The cable needs extended 3', to a total of 8'.
Are the wires going to be okay for the current to flow without getting hot?
Or should I replace the 8 ga with 6ga?
Also, do I need to install a circuit breaker on the positive lead near the battery?
Also, do I need to install a disconnect to keep the powered unit from "talking" to my iPilot controller - even when I'm not using it - thus draining the battery?

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