Minn Kota internal fuse?

[Dodger1234]

After doing a search on this site it seems the recommendation is fuses, fuses, and more fuses. I purchased a new boat 2 years ago and today I checked my wiring to see if they had installed fuses. The motor and fish finder are fused in but the bow mount Minn Kota goes directly into the deep cycle battery ( factory wires ) and the positive on the battery goes back to the 1,2, both, off switch then is hooked up to the positive on the cranking battery. The negative goes straight to the neg post on the cranking battery. SO, if a fuse is needed for the bow motor why is there nothing on the positive line to the battery from the factory? Is there possibly an internal fuse? I have the V2 Powerdrive 55 LB. If I need to cut the positive line and install a fuse how big of a set up do i need?
Thanks for any advice Dodger 1234.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Minn Kota internal fuse?

For that TM a 50 amp circuit breaker (or fuse) should be installed on the pos line at the battery. They could install one in the motor and it might help protect the motor but its not going to protect you.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Minn Kota internal fuse?

Your description leaves me highly skeptical about the wiring scheme. Regardless how things are wired, the trolling motor battery needs a circuit breaker on the positive terminal to protect the wires going to the trolling motor. Likewise the start battery should have a fuse in the small (10 gauge wire) that serves as the "boat harness". The "Engine harness" is protected with a fuse at the engine. As to how the battery switch is configured leaves me wondering about the logic. Since the trolling motor and start batteries seem to be hard wired in parallel, it makes me wonder why the switch is needed as its intended purpose seems to be "creatively bypassed". An actual diagram of the wiring scheme would help sort this out.

 

[Dodger1234]

Re: Minn Kota internal fuse?

Hello Silvertip.
How would I go about doing a diagram to post for you to take a look at?
Dodger1234.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Minn Kota internal fuse?

Use a paper and pencil, scan the picture, host the picture on Photobucket.com or any of the free hosting services and post the link or the picutre here. If you don't have a scanner, you can use any drawing program to draw it. If you have no drawing capability that becomes an issue and a very detailed description is required. Identify things very precisely and exactly what is connected to what.

 

[Dodger1234]

Re: Minn Kota internal fuse?

Thanks Silvertip!
I will have the boat out of storage in the next couple of weeks. I will then draw it out and try the posting of the wiring. I will be as exact as possible, I am confident in the hook up of my transom motor and bilge pumps and live well. The only breakers present are for the bilge pumps, live well, and lights from the manufacturer of the boat. The transom ( gas ) motor has the fuses in line to the power switch before it goes to the battery. But the Minn Kota not having a safeguard from the factory is a big disappointment. I will get back to you in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for the tips and the help about my concern.
Dodger1234.