36 volt trolling motor on a Key West 196BR

[Messing About]

I recently bought a 2003 KW 196BR. I also bought us gently used Minn Kota 101lb 36 volt trolling motor from a different seller. The Minn Kota came with a 4 prong male plug. The KW comes factory built installed trolling motor plug, with multiple small male prongs. Are these wires going to be compatible with a plug change on the Minn Kota? Any idea where to find it? Key West's website is geared toward sales of new boats, with not much data for owners or service. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: 36 volt trolling motor on a Key West 196BR

For that motor you only use 2 of the prongs.

 

[NYBo]

Re: 36 volt trolling motor on a Key West 196BR

Unless the boat was wired for a 36V trolling motor, you may have to do some rewiring regardless. You'll need a plug and a receptacle that match and can handle the amperage required by the motor. Did you get hookup instructions with the trolling motor?

 

[Messing About]

Re: 36 volt trolling motor on a Key West 196BR

Thanks for the diagram. When you say only use 2 of the prongs, sorry but that's a bit vague.
The wire from the Minn Kota has a plug with 4 prongs. The boat bow has a trolling motor connector with a series of pins.
How might one made that compatable?

 

[NYBo]

Re: 36 volt trolling motor on a Key West 196BR

If Bill is correct (and he usually is), two of the prongs on the motor plug aren't connected to anything. If you plan to use that plug, you need to determine which prongs are connected, and also find a compatible receptacle. Minn Kota probably sells it.

 

[Messing About]

Re: 36 volt trolling motor on a Key West 196BR

If Bill is correct (and he usually is), two of the prongs on the motor plug aren't connected to anything. If you plan to use that plug, you need to determine which prongs are connected, and also find a compatible receptacle. Minn Kota probably sells it.

I'm hoping to change the MK plug to match the boat connector instead. The MK looks like a two wire system, one black, one grey.
Any idea what gauge wire I must have going from my boat connection point to the batteries? Wanna be sure it's heavy enough. Also, there's 3 wires under the center console that are appear big enough for this prewired system. Red, Black and an Orange wire. What's the orange? Yes I have the MK manual but the diagram just shows how to hook up the 12 volt batteries together.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 36 volt trolling motor on a Key West 196BR

You are making too much of this. Your boat is configured for a troller that can operate on 12 volts only, 24 volts only, 36 volts only, or a bastarized motor of older design that allowed operation from EITHER 12 volts OR 24 volts. That configuration required three or even four wires. Red to black measured 12, 24, or 36 volts depending on the number of batteries. The orange to black wire measured 12 volts. A selector switch on those motors selected 12 or 24 volt operation. Ignore the orange wire. You don't need it. It doesn't matter how many terminals there are in a male/female connector pair as you will only need two. A 36 volt troller draws about 46 amps so wire size needs to accommodate that current draw. Wire size is also dependent on length of the run (up and back) so you should consult some wire size charts. The diagram for wiring the batteries previously shown is correct.

 

[Messing About]

Re: 36 volt trolling motor on a Key West 196BR

Like you said, the motor is only a two wire system. I bought a new MK plug and connector from my Key West dealer. Cut the old ones off, crimp the new ones one. Done. Thanks...some novices just need some re-assurances we're not about to blow up the boat.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 36 volt trolling motor on a Key West 196BR

http://www.cncphotoalbum.com/doityourself/wiring/wiring.htm Here's a good link from Ancor to help with sizing the wire for you.