Circuit Breaker Or In Line Fuse?

[jitterbug127]

I have a pelican bass raider and 50 lb thrust Minn kota endura c2. I am needing advice if I should get a 60 amp breaker or a fuse? Also where is the best brand/ model to be had cheap. Local store said 50 bucks too much

[Ski213]

I like a breaker just for the fact that you can reset it once you fix whatever caused it to trip. Negates the need to carry spare fuses as well. 50 bucks seems insane for the breaker. I think I gave 10 or 12 a piece for mine. They are only 50A though. I bought mine locally for that price. I've seen them on marineengine.com for a little less than that.

[Todd2]

My old boat had breakers, which I like. My new boat has 30 AMP fuses, they have popped a few times for various reasons and I have to make sure to have extra ones.

[tomustang]

You can find the minn kota one for $30-40

[Snakehead Whisperer]

Not sure of the brand, but I bought mine for $7 a few years ago. It says "International Breaker" on it, but I don't think that's the brand name. 

 

My vote is for a breaker.

[WIGuide]

I'd go with the breakers, they're so much nicer than caring extra fuses all the time. 

[Nick B]

Minn Kota makes a circuit breaker, Cabelas has it for $30.

 

50 lbs on Pelican bass raider, that thing must move

[jitterbug127]

I am looking into the minn kota one

[Way2slow]

For that size motor, you should probably be using a 60 amp breaker. The largest I've seen those small $7 breakers is 50 amp. To get a 60 amp you will need to go with the Minn Kota/Buss. Those run about $25 and up. I think Cabela's has it for $30. A fuse is NOT the way to go for that much current. You could buy one of those large, square 60 amp fuses that go in automobile power panels, but then you have to figure out how to mount it. I haven't seen many fuse holders that handle #6 wire or even #8 if you skimp.

Plus, with a breaker, if it happens to trip, you can just reset it, with a fuse, you had better have some spares.

[jitterbug127]

I am going to order the minn kota 60 amp. I am just not sure how to install it

[Fishing Rhino]

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/blue-sea-systems--285-series-thermal-circuit-breakers-surface-mount--P011975596

[Further North]

Breaker, if I have the choice, every time, all the time.

[fishnkamp]

To answer your question, the best choice is the breaker and a thermal breaker is my first choice as it requires you to do nothing to reset it.  It will cool internally and automatically reset.  It makes no difference if you choose a manually reset or thermal breaker the install is the same. First you decide on your mounting location.  The positive battery supply will run through a 6,8 or 10 gauge wire to the breaker on one side and out the other side to your trolling motor receptacle. The plug is installed on your trolling motor wire and all is good.  I have custom wired many boats and this has worked fine.  Often I run two number eight wires for supply to the breaker then two number eight wires out to the receptacle.  This is due to long runs on a bass boat, The motor pulls all of the current it wants but since it is running up the two wires each leg only transfers or carries half the load so less current is burned up or lost through resistance in the wires.  This has afforded me some very long battery usage during a long day on the water.  Just one of the tricks of the trade, but one that is often overlooked.  Wires weigh a lot less than an extra battery does, especially in a rig like yours where weight will definitely matter.  Be mindful of the size of the body of water you will be boating on as to how many batteries to carry.  Nothing is worse than running out of juice far from a launch point.

[Jaw1]

I like the breakers for ease of use but fuses have their place also. Fuses protect devices from overloads which causes stuff to burn up. Breakers are primarily short circuit protection.

[kjfishman]

Fuses are cheap, why spend $30 or more for a breaker.  You have $30 dollars for other accessories. Some fuse holders come with a place to store a spare. FYI my 54lb thrust came with a 30 amp fuse and I have never had to replace a trolling  motor fuse.

[Way2slow]

Try reading this.  http://www.minnkotamotors.com/Support/Battery-Selection---Rigging/

 

They might know a little bit about how you should rig it.

 

However, there is one thing they fail to do is account for the smaller 24 volt motors, but if you have a 55# thrust, 24 volt, you can figure half the current load of the same size 12 volt.

[jitterbug127]

i went with the minn kota circuit breaker and wiring harness. It is working perfectly. set up was easy, and i just mounted the breaker in the battery box. everything stays very dry, and it is a very clean set up. i am very happy with the results.

[DogBone_384]

I've worked in mobile electronics for 25+ years and recommend a manual circuit breaker. Your electronics would be properly protected and you won't need to carry extra fuses in case of a short.

Here's an example of what I use when wiring high current electronics:

http://m.delcity.net/store/Hi!Amp-Surface-Mount-!-%3Cbr%3EManual-Reset/p_808823

[Sam]

Save yourself from aggravation.

Bite the bullet and go with the circuit breaker.