Elec problem with trollin motor

[phototom1]

Preping to go to the lake yesterday checked the MinnKota no power, I checked the fuse it was OK but the fuse holder seemed to not be in good condition. I replaced the entire fuse holder with a new one, still no go I checked the battery and it is good 12+ volts I wired to my starting battery still no go . I checked the trolling motor plug and am only getting 3 volts no matter which battery I use. I when under the deck where the trolling motor plug is wired and checked at the connection and only 3 volts. Can this be bad wiring. What would cause a voltage drop? this is a 91 Tracker. <br /><br /> Thanks in advance for any info.<br /><br /> Tom H

 

[MajBach]

Re: Elec problem with trollin motor

you mean where the trolling motor wire meet the battery there is only three volts? that doesnt make sense. did you clean the contacts?

 

[phototom1]

Re: Elec problem with trollin motor

MajBach<br /> I am getting 12 volts at the battery, the fuse is at the battery. Its at the plug up front where there is only 3 volts, 17 feet away from the battery. could this be A Corrded wire ???This a 1991 Tracker orig. wiring.<br /><br /> Tom H

 

[JB]

Re: Elec problem with trollin motor

Found a similar problem on this BW I just bought, Tom.<br /><br />An aftermarket rigger had run wire from the rear mounted battery under the gunnel to the bow area and installed a troller plug there.<br /><br />The wire he used was un-tinned solid home wiring. When I took the whole thing apart I found that where he had crimped the untinned solid to the untinned stranded wire from the plug corrosion (not very obvious) had opened the electrical connection.<br /><br />Cleaned and tinned both sets of wire, soldered them, then sealed them in adhesive lined shrink tubing.<br /><br />End of problem.<br /><br />In this case the use of non-marine grade wiring for use in a marine environment without tinning the connections led to the problem. If they had been tinned before crimping it probably would have been okay.

 

[phototom1]

Re: Elec problem with trollin motor

JB<br /> I will check out the connectors better today, I will remove all electrical tape on the connectors and check for corrosion ect. If by chance I should have to rewire for the trolling motor what ga. wire should I use? When I was checking the trolling motor plug it was a very heavy ga. much bigger than the wire runing from it to the battery the wire running to the battery is around 12 ga. is this large enough?<br /> Thanks again you guys are great.<br /><br /> Tom Harvey

 

[JB]

Re: Elec problem with trollin motor

I would use at least #6, Tom. If the battery was close to the bow you might get by with less, but with long runs of wire to a power using device bigger is always better.

 

[phototom1]

Re: Elec problem with trollin motor

JB<br /> Thanks I will check out system this afternoon as soon as I get home from work and post results.<br />I looked Up Whitt Tx you are almost a neighbor I live In Everman, Just S. Of Fort worth East of I35 I work at Lockheed Martin as a photographer.<br /><br /> Tom H

 

[MajBach]

Re: Elec problem with trollin motor

My mistake. I thought you said it was 3V at the battery too. Looks like the only thing it can be is corrosion unless something else is in the circuit.