Jim Mac Posted August 30, 2014 Posted August 30, 2014 I'd like to install a kill switch for the trolling motor on my kayak, in case I fell out while it was running. The simpler, the better. The motor is a Minn Kota 40 lb. Endura Max, with a Group 24 battery. Thanks. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted August 30, 2014 Super User Posted August 30, 2014 I think the issue you will face is finding a switch rated for 50amps that's going to take little effort to pull out Quote
Super User Jig Man Posted August 30, 2014 Super User Posted August 30, 2014 If you are using alligator clips on the battery, just put a cord on one of them and hook it to your life vest. 3 Quote
Super User Scott F Posted August 30, 2014 Super User Posted August 30, 2014 I think the issue you will face is finding a switch rated for 50amps that's going to take little effort to pull out You'd have to use a relay to switch the motor off and a regular switch to actuate the relay. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted August 30, 2014 Super User Posted August 30, 2014 You'd have to use a relay to switch the motor off and a regular switch to actuate the relay. I would imagine easier said than done in a kayak. Space is at a premium. He would need to install a box/panel to house the relay and wires. Jig Man had a good idea providing OP is using alligator clips. Quote
Jim Mac Posted August 30, 2014 Author Posted August 30, 2014 If you are using alligator clips on the battery, just put a cord on one of them and hook it to your life vest. I'm not using alligator clips, but I can change them. What type of hookup to the alliagtor clip are you thinking of? Thanks. Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted September 4, 2014 Super User Posted September 4, 2014 I'm not using alligator clips, but I can change them. What type of hookup to the alliagtor clip are you thinking of? Thanks. He had a good idea with the alligator clips. You can leave the positive terminal bolted on, but on the negative, cut it off and put on an alligator clip. In the side the wire doesn't come from, drill a small hole towards the top. Go to Walmart and pick up a 2 pack of the carabiner type key chain type clips (look like this http://www.budgetkeychains.com/Personalized-Carabiner-With-Split-Keyring?gclid=Cj0KEQjwm6CgBRC0zOmrydrqmosBEiQA_xoLRkvCPIHjn76G6ae3mcOXXTfUTkRwp_otZlACP_6WOhAaAtZD8P8HAQ and you can get a 2 pack for $0.96) and then some sort of rope. A few foot piece of paracord would do the trick. Tie each of the carabiners to each end of the rope and hook one to the alligator clip and the other to the kill switch D-ring on your vest and you're good to go. Quote
Jim Mac Posted September 4, 2014 Author Posted September 4, 2014 WIGuide, thanks very much. It makes sense to me now. Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted September 4, 2014 Super User Posted September 4, 2014 jim mac, should you capsize, i think the last thing you may want is to be hooked in any way shape or form to your kayak or the battery. while it is a fantastic idea for stopping the motor, it sounds like a horrible tangled mess should your fears be realized and you go overboard. best to have little or no restrictions/points of contact with you and the yak should that time ever come... but that's only my opinion..... 1 Quote
Super User aavery2 Posted September 5, 2014 Super User Posted September 5, 2014 Seems to me that it might be better to make the ground wire hard mounted and the positive on an alligator clip. Reason I say this is if you pull the ground wire, if it comes in to contact with anything it can ground to , a battery tray, a screw head, etc. etc. the trolling motor is coming back on. If you pull the positive connection, the only way the trolling motor is coming back on is if it come back in contact with the positive battery post. I really like the idea of a relay and switch. Quote
Super User Scott F Posted September 5, 2014 Super User Posted September 5, 2014 One other option, I don't know if this would work for you, is a foot switch like the Big Foot trolling motor switch. You can use it as a momentary switch where it only works when you have your foot on it. Take your foot off, like if you fell out, and the motor shuts off. 2 Quote
Super User aavery2 Posted September 5, 2014 Super User Posted September 5, 2014 One other option, I don't know if this would work for you, is a foot switch like the Big Foot trolling motor switch. You can use it as a momentary switch where it only works when you have your foot on it. Take your foot off, like if you fell out, and the motor shuts off. I had a similar idea to this, use a relay and a momentary contact switch in the seat, so if your butt comes out of the seat, the motor stops, similar to how a riding lawnmower works. Quote
Jim Mac Posted September 5, 2014 Author Posted September 5, 2014 jim mac, should you capsize, i think the last thing you may want is to be hooked in any way shape or form to your kayak or the battery. while it is a fantastic idea for stopping the motor, it sounds like a horrible tangled mess should your fears be realized and you go overboard. best to have little or no restrictions/points of contact with you and the yak should that time ever come... but that's only my opinion..... If I do this, I would use some sort of tether, like they have on treadmills, etc. Thanks all for your input. Quote
Super User Sam Posted September 5, 2014 Super User Posted September 5, 2014 No. Just take it off constant and don't worry about it. Quote
Nelson Wormefeller Posted September 5, 2014 Posted September 5, 2014 i use the twine with carabiners tied on, just in case. one end attached to my life jacket and other one around the power cord (it is attached to battery with alligator clips). would feel like living a three stooges episode if i was floating in the lake as m canoe quietly motors away from me. Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted September 5, 2014 Super User Posted September 5, 2014 I had a similar idea to this, use a relay and a momentary contact switch in the seat, so if your butt comes out of the seat, the motor stops, similar to how a riding lawnmower works. the riding lawnmower seat type of cut off would be genius! then if you're like me and like to do a lot of standing and fishing you wouldn't have to worry about kicking it on accidentally or anything like that... my engineering skills are at a kindergarten level so i love hearing all these ideas.... and OP, it would still make me nervous even using the treadmill type pull as you mentioned. in any event, i would try to ensure you have a quick release on the part that attaches to the life vest should the worst case scenario come about.... perhaps i'm overkill, but i had a wicked scary event on lake oconee with a deep cycle battery going overboard, staying attached and filling my sit in kayak about 85% full of water in about 35-40 feet of water. i managed to make it back to the bank just as my kayak went under and began to roll.... now i want things that will quickly release in a panic.... Quote
Jim Mac Posted September 10, 2014 Author Posted September 10, 2014 i use the twine with carabiners tied on, just in case. one end attached to my life jacket and other one around the power cord (it is attached to battery with alligator clips). would feel like living a three stooges episode if i was floating in the lake as m canoe quietly motors away from me. Thanks. Is yours attached to the positive or negative cable? Quote
Jim Mac Posted September 10, 2014 Author Posted September 10, 2014 the riding lawnmower seat type of cut off would be genius! then if you're like me and like to do a lot of standing and fishing you wouldn't have to worry about kicking it on accidentally or anything like that... my engineering skills are at a kindergarten level so i love hearing all these ideas.... and OP, it would still make me nervous even using the treadmill type pull as you mentioned. in any event, i would try to ensure you have a quick release on the part that attaches to the life vest should the worst case scenario come about.... perhaps i'm overkill, but i had a wicked scary event on lake oconee with a deep cycle battery going overboard, staying attached and filling my sit in kayak about 85% full of water in about 35-40 feet of water. i managed to make it back to the bank just as my kayak went under and began to roll.... now i want things that will quickly release in a panic.... So do you strap your battery down anymore? Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted September 10, 2014 Super User Posted September 10, 2014 So do you strap your battery down anymore? havent' tried it again since.... but that was with a totally different kayak than i have now. now i'm working with a ride 135 so i feel a lot better about being able to safely rig it up. plus in the rear tankwell there's tons of rooms to strap it down, and yes i guess to answer your question i would strap the battery down for sure. it was the battery going over the side and somehow staying connected at the cables that nearly drowned me. Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted September 10, 2014 Super User Posted September 10, 2014 use a paddle lol Honestly i have no idea but i think sam's idea is where i would start...don't use constant while fishing and only use it while moving spot to spot. I would think that it would be pretty rare that you would not know when you are gonna go over while moving spot to spot, not to mention the ride 135 is next to impossible to flip. Quote
Jim Mac Posted September 10, 2014 Author Posted September 10, 2014 use a paddle lol Honestly i have no idea but i think sam's idea is where i would start...don't use constant while fishing and only use it while moving spot to spot. I would think that it would be pretty rare that you would not know when you are gonna go over while moving spot to spot, not to mention the ride 135 is next to impossible to flip. What do you mean by "don't use constant"? My kayak is the Frontier 12' with a 40 lb. thrust trolling motor. I have the battery in the front of kayak. Quote
David Hefner Posted March 9, 2021 Posted March 9, 2021 Perhaps attaching a lanyard to the fuse which will remove it from its holder. Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted March 9, 2021 Super User Posted March 9, 2021 6&1/2 year old thread - last poster hasn't even logged on in over 2 years... Quote
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