Gang fuse blocks

[jusfloatin]

Good day to all
I am in the electrical hook up part of my F/G rebuild and would appreciate some advice as to which would be the best for me.
Can I or even should a person run two Minn-Kota's thu a gang fuse block with each on it's own fuse.They will both be running at the same time but they could be set a different speed setting.
My concern is the total amps drawn be too much demand on a block. There will be other electrical draws as well ( fish finder/ radio/ big engine but not at the same time the Minns would be on ).
I would imagine them to be small draws in comparison but a draw none the less.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Gang fuse blocks

Call me curious but why do you need two trollers and why do you need both of them running at the same time? If you are running two minnkota trollers as well as a bunch of other stuff off one battery I hope you have a "really" big battery (capacity). With two motors and accessories you will kill the battery in a heartbeat. As a minimum you need the engine on its own starting battery. The current draw of just one troller regardless of size is way to high to power via conventional fuses and fuse boxes. You need a circuit breaker on the positive terminal of a deep cycle battery for each motor and dedicated wiring to each motor.

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: Gang fuse blocks

I have two trollers for several reasons;
1-they are only 36lbs and one would not be enough (big boat)
2-i got them brand new for $129.00 apiece and a 55lbs where I live is $439.00
I have also modified them so they can be steered via a rod from the big motor and I have installed the two controllers onto the dash of the boat.

I have 4-12 volt dual use deep cycle batteries which I believe would be more than enough to suit all my needs including the power to start the big motor ( 85hp Merc O/B ). Would I be wrong?

I had a idea that there would be too much draw from the trollers but had to ask just incase there was a unit capable.

Thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Gang fuse blocks

I guess I tend to look at the total picture rather than trying to save a buck on a single item. You spent $280 for two motors. They need to be powered by two separate batteries which are roughly $65 - $75 each for generic deep cycles. These two motors are not energy efficient since they don't have the maximizer circuitry that a 55 PD would have. And because the two motors are mounted in the back they are not as efficient as a bow mount would be, especially in the wind. I and several others here have 55 PDs mounted on pontoons that work very well. I fish all day with a single group 27 deep cycle.
So the trouble of lashing these motors together, the extra battery weight, and control issues just don't seem to add up to a savings. But since it's your boat and your money I guess I shouldn't debate the issue.

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: Gang fuse blocks

Slivertip:
I agree the best would be a Maximizer and yes the bow mounted model would be more efficient but I have a closed bow with a windshield.
It is not that I am not able crawl over the windshield to set it up but I have a problem that makes doing that a bit of a event I prefer not to attend.
I also did not lash them together, I mounted one on the left side and the other on the right side 30" apart.
As for the steering I cannot say much other than they point in the same direction as the big motor when I turn the steering wheel. Raising and lowering is the only problem and that is not really a problem just have to reach over and set them down or lift them up.
As I posted I only paid 129.95 each and 54.95 each a battery.
Still cheaper than a 55+ battery with 17lbs more thrust than the 55.

Either way I am happy and it looks marvelous.