blowing fuses

[cmuggs]

i just bought a minn kota powerdrive trolling motor for my 1988 sd 80 skeeter boat and i keep poping fuses when i use it for long period of time. what could it be?

 

[snapperbait]

Re: blowing fuses

What size is the fuse, and what size fuse does the trolling motor manufacturer recomend?... <br /><br />For a trolling motor, the fuse, or better yet a circut breaker, should be rated for at least 40 amps..<br /><br />Problem could also be wire size too small, corrosion, or anything else that would cause undo resistance in the circut...<br /><br />Skeeter SD-80, Great boat..

 

[cmuggs]

Re: blowing fuses

it calls for a 30 amp and thats what i been using.let me ask you this. how far should the fuse be away from the battery. you know the lead between the battery and fuse. oh yea love my skeeter

 

[wajajaja]

Re: blowing fuses

very close to the battery, you want to protect the wireing to the device as well. 30amp dc is enough to burn down a boat.

 

[cmuggs]

Re: blowing fuses

so what should i use wa jajaja

 

[wajajaja]

Re: blowing fuses

the portion of wireing that came with the motor should be the correct size except if you add a additional lenght of wire to it, than the impedance goes up and the voltage drops causing the amperage requirement to increase. <br /> you didnt mention the distance from the battery to the motor and howmuch is addittional to the original harnass, if i got it right you should go at least two gauges up,(smaller number,bigger wire) then the original,you are drawing the full load on the fuse, thus the delayed blow. unless you are using (slow blow fuses) that allow for a intial load. <br /> if you look at you home fuse box, you have very few 30amp ckts, a micro wave oven is 15, 2 or three bedrooms are one 15amp.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: blowing fuses

Agree with Wajajaja..<br /><br />I'm betting the batteries are in the back behind the drivers and passengers seats.. Thats a good 15+ feet of wire to get to the bow for the trolling motor. <br /><br /> I believe skeeter used 10 gauge for the t/m, if i remember correctly.. Believe there was a large plug somewhere in the harness too.. 10 gauge wire was fine (not really) for the trolling motors of the time when the boat was made, however, new motors draw a bit more juice than the oldies, especially with the powerdrive.. If it's the original wire, it's not up to the task.. Go up to 6 gauge...

 

[18rabbit]

Re: blowing fuses

Cmuggs – sorry I missed this thread when originally posted. If you are still with us on this topic…<br /><br />Based on a 30-amp DC load, 3% voltage drop, 15-ft pos cable going to the TM + 15-ft gnd cable returning to the battery (30-ft total), here is the ABYC standard for the wire you need:<br /><br />If 12volts - AWG size 6 (30-40ft AWG size 4)<br />If 24volts - AWG size 8 (30-40ft AWG size 6)<br /><br />You should be using multi-strand only, type-2 if the cable is secured or type-3 if flexing is expected while you are underway. Also, tin coated copper wire is a little more expensive but can save a lot of headaches later on. Do not use solid copper or any aluminum wiring on your boat. Only use AWG size wire, never SAE size wire on a boat.<br /><br />Also: DO NOT alter the fuse size from the factory recommendation. The fuse should be installed within 18” of the battery.

 

[cmuggs]

Re: blowing fuses

thanks everyone for your help