How are you hooking up your trolling motor.. because I'm CONFUSED

[dtag31]

Hi Everyone, 

Fishmas came and brought me a new Motorguide X3 55# trolling motor to upgrade from a 1990something 28# Motorguide. The boat is a 15 foot 1992 Alumacraft, which has a trolling motor plug, but it was in a pretty awful location. 

 

Let the confusion begin:

The batteries are located in the back of the boat. After taking the deck of the front off, I realize the wiring used for the previous trolling motor can't be bigger than 10 gauge. Considering I have a 15 foot run back to the batteries, it looks like I should be running 6 gauge as a minimum. I will have to run new wire, which will be quite difficult considering the boat has been blown full of foam (but that is my problem)

 

The new motor has ring connectors on a 4 foot cable. Obviously I will need to cut these off to wire into the 6 gauge extension I will install, but it is very frustrating that I am forced to connect 6 gauge wire to 10 gauge which is hardwired into the trolling motor. 

 

Now, as for wiring the motor, is everyone really hard wiring their trolling motors, or do you have some sort of plug? I am surprised Motorguide wouldn't provide a potential plug, so I would greatly appreciate any recommendations. 

 

To summarize I am surprised that:

I thought most people had batteries in the back, so what good is this 4 foot cord off the trolling motor?

What sort of connectors are you using at the bow, or are many people hardwiring their trolling motor?

Am I really the only one with light gauge wire, I can't imagine that many people are running new wire?

 

Thank you!

[J Francho]

You can get the plug and receptacle for less than $40 at most places that sell TMs and TM accessories.

[Tennessee Boy]

Most bass boats come pre wired so most TMs come with a short wire to connect to the existing wiring.

 

My boat is hard wired with a breaker / switch near the battery which I turn off when I pull the boat out of the water.

 

My first boat came with a 28# TM that I upgraded to a 45# and I did upgrade the wiring.  I was able to pull the new wires using the old wires.  I just duct taped the old and new together with many layers of tape before I started pulling.  You don’t want the tape to come loose in the middle of the boat.

 

You will love the new TM!  Good luck.

[MN Fisher]

17 minutes ago, J Francho said:

You can get the plug and receptacle for less than $40 at most places that sell TMs and TM accessories.

This is how I have the TM/Battery connection on my canoe. 1 Receptacle on the Battery wires, 2 plugs - 1 on the TM wires, 1 on my charger.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/BASS-PRO-TROLLING-MOTOR-REPLACMENT-PARTS/2962136.uts

 

4 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

I just duct taped the old and new together with many layers of tape before I started pulling.  You don’t want the tape to come loose in the middle of the boat.

Get a friend to help - they can feed the wires from one end while you pull from the other.

[slonezp]

4 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

This is how I have the TM/Battery connection on my canoe. 1 Receptacle on the Battery wires, 2 plugs - 1 on the TM wires, 1 on my charger.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/BASS-PRO-TROLLING-MOTOR-REPLACMENT-PARTS/2962136.uts

 

Get a friend to help - they can feed the wires from one end while you pull from the other.

My opinion, I would refrain from the above plug and receptacle and get a Marinco twist lock plug and receptacle.  Without the twist lock feature, you risk the plug loosening up over time and overheating becoming a potential fire hazard. Had it happen to me on my last boat.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Power-2000-4013739-Connectpro-Receptacle/dp/B002IVEFD2/ref=pd_bxgy_img_3/138-5283849-7172826?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B002IVEFD2&pd_rd_r=88b8eb56-579b-4426-8e4c-62d7baa6a9a7&pd_rd_w=YBFwY&pd_rd_wg=0JbPh&pf_rd_p=09627863-9889-4290-b90a-5e9f86682449&pf_rd_r=VYX6YTRKC2SJJW1RMK0G&psc=1&refRID=VYX6YTRKC2SJJW1RMK0G

 

[KDW96]

The twist lock and the receptacle are the best way to go. Alittle more money,but its well spent.

[dtag31]

1 hour ago, slonezp said:

My opinion, I would refrain from the above plug and receptacle and get a Marinco twist lock plug and receptacle.  Without the twist lock feature, you risk the plug loosening up over time and overheating becoming a potential fire hazard. Had it happen to me on my last boat.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Power-2000-4013739-Connectpro-Receptacle/dp/B002IVEFD2/ref=pd_bxgy_img_3/138-5283849-7172826?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B002IVEFD2&pd_rd_r=88b8eb56-579b-4426-8e4c-62d7baa6a9a7&pd_rd_w=YBFwY&pd_rd_wg=0JbPh&pf_rd_p=09627863-9889-4290-b90a-5e9f86682449&pf_rd_r=VYX6YTRKC2SJJW1RMK0G&psc=1&refRID=VYX6YTRKC2SJJW1RMK0G

 

Thank you very much for the recommendation! Unfortunately I can't pull the old wiring through. The open cavities in the boat have been blown with rock hard foam. Never seen anything like it before, but it locks all the wiring in place. Very frustrating as you can imagine. 

[papajoe222]

You could try using the existing wiring after installing a breaker at the battery to protect both the motor and the wiring. You'll need to know the amp draw of the motor when used at the highest setting. If the current wires can handle that amp draw, install a breaker of that size.  You will loose some power and there will be more drain on your battery if you're constantly running at full speed.

I upgraded to a 24volt motor and used the existing wiring in my boat. I've only had the breaker I installed trip once in the 12years since I did so and that was because I ran it at max for too long.  I checked the wiring before resetting it and it was warm, but not hot, so the breaker did its job. 

[TnRiver46]

4 hours ago, slonezp said:

My opinion, I would refrain from the above plug and receptacle and get a Marinco twist lock plug and receptacle.  Without the twist lock feature, you risk the plug loosening up over time and overheating becoming a potential fire hazard. Had it happen to me on my last boat.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Power-2000-4013739-Connectpro-Receptacle/dp/B002IVEFD2/ref=pd_bxgy_img_3/138-5283849-7172826?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B002IVEFD2&pd_rd_r=88b8eb56-579b-4426-8e4c-62d7baa6a9a7&pd_rd_w=YBFwY&pd_rd_wg=0JbPh&pf_rd_p=09627863-9889-4290-b90a-5e9f86682449&pf_rd_r=VYX6YTRKC2SJJW1RMK0G&psc=1&refRID=VYX6YTRKC2SJJW1RMK0G

 

I’ve had not one but 2 of those catch on fire 

[Jig Man]

10 ga. wire should be enough for that trolling motor.  I’d use it with a breaker and see if it gets the job done.

[dtag31]

8 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve had not one but 2 of those catch on fire 

Awesome! It's brutal researching these plugs. You find good and horror stories for just about every one. 

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, dtag31 said:

Awesome! It's brutal researching these plugs. You find good and horror stories for just about every one. 

I don’t think it’s necessarily the plugs fault, the one I had was a little more rounded. Fishing in the rain and bouncing in the waves caused the screws inside to rust and come loose and the red wire touched the black wire. Both times the flame was only a few inches tall but a boat fire certainly gets your attention!!

[Scott F]

No matter which plug or connection you use, it’s important that they are tight and secure. There is a lot of current going through there and that connection will always be the weakest point. 

[Tennessee Boy]

18 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I don’t think it’s necessarily the plugs fault, the one I had was a little more rounded. Fishing in the rain and bouncing in the waves caused the screws inside to rust and come loose and the red wire touched the black wire. Both times the flame was only a few inches tall but a boat fire certainly gets your attention!!

Boat + Fire = Bad

[Tim Kelly]

If you use an Anderson connector you can get the appropriate wire size poles for each connector end.

 

[Mjmj]

I I've used the Anderson and the minn kota adapters. After a bunch of problems, I finally settled on the battery tender plug. It's a little more expensive than the others, but by far, way better 

[Alex from GA]

Personally I don't use a plug.  I solder the wires together, use shrink tubing and rtv and a fuse near the battery/s.  Every joint is another thing to fail.