Minnkota Trolling Motor Recepticle-Wiring Issues?!

[Yon'der Horizon]

Hey Guys,
Just want to throw my issue out there to see if anyone has any thoughts...
I have a Minnkota Terrova 24 Volt troller. It wires through a 30amp/120volt receptacle. Was working great until last night's tournament. Basically, the female receptacle seems to have gone out. It's a 3 prong plug, however, only 2 wires are used. One female prong connector burnt out, so I switched the wires to the 2nd unused prong. Problem solved. For a day. Bypassed the receptacle on the water, hardwiring the POS and NEG directly to the two trolling motor wires, still no power. I have 24 volts on the two wires coming from the batteries, but as soon as I connect them to the trolling motor, I have 1.5 volts or less.

Connected a battery directly to the troller to verify the motor itself is good and it is. Thinking water may have damaged the cables...not sure yet.

As far as I understand the receptacle can be bypassed with no problems. But...does this receptacle serve any "conversion" purposes?

Thanks for any insight!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Minnkota Trolling Motor Recepticle-Wiring Issues?!

The receptacle is no more than a place to disconnect the troller. There is no conversion required when going from the batteries to the troller. You don't indicate how big the troller is or what gauge wire you are using into the receptacle from the battery. AC power receptacles (30A for example) would likely accept up to 10 gauge wire. Depending on where the batteries are, the wire may need to be 8 gauge or even 6 gauge depending on the size of the troller. Terrova's typically draw 56 amps so that connector way undersized. You need direct wiring or else a much heavier duty connector.

 

[Yon'der Horizon]

Re: Minnkota Trolling Motor Recepticle-Wiring Issues?!

Thanks Silvertip. Currently the wires are 6 guage. Troller is 80 pound thrust aftermarket. So that could be part of the problem, having a 30 amp receptacle for such a heavy draw. The receptacle is the factory original Stratos (Marinco). Pretty sure it's toast. But what's strange is that hardwiring the troller (bypassing the receptacle) didn't resolve the issue.

Heading to the parts dept. now to pick up a new ground wire and hopefully a new receptacle. There are 2 positive wires ( I am assuming at least one is fine) the other may be water damaged near the battery since it has been exposed to backsplash many times.

What size Amp Fuse and Receptacle should I be running?

 

[Yon'der Horizon]

Re: Minnkota Trolling Motor Recepticle-Wiring Issues?!

Ah ha! Just a bad fuse at the battery! Upgraded from 40 amp fuse, to a 50 amp. No new cables, just a fuse... oh the simple things

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Minnkota Trolling Motor Recepticle-Wiring Issues?!

You need a receptacle and plug capable of handling the maximum current draw of the motor which for an 80# Terrova is 56 amps. It's no wonder the 30 amp melted.

 

[Yon'der Horizon]

Re: Minnkota Trolling Motor Recepticle-Wiring Issues?!

Makes too much sense! Surprised the receptacle lasted 3 months of heavy use.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Minnkota Trolling Motor Recepticle-Wiring Issues?!

It lasted because the motor only draws 56 at stall speed or very heavy load as it would on high speed, fouled with weeds, or the motor is physically stalled. At slower speeds it would draw considerably less.

 

[Frontrow]

Re: Minnkota Trolling Motor Recepticle-Wiring Issues?!

Thanks...Learning quite a bit on these boards (and really trying to search first)...Please help me with perhaps "dumb" questions...

I've got a 46-lb MinnKota and the instructions say use an MKR-19 60-amp waterproof circuit breaker. I can find the MKR-19 online, but what about the line from the Battery to the breaker? Do I rig my own with two spade-ends? Use 6 ga wire?

I take it I run the positive from the motor to one side of the breaker, and the "new" wire from the breaker to the battery terminal...

Thanks in advance.

 

[Yon'der Horizon]

Re: Minnkota Trolling Motor Recepticle-Wiring Issues?!

Frontrow, yes your description sounds right. The positive wire is the one that needs a fuse/breaker, the ground should be a straight shot.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Minnkota Trolling Motor Recepticle-Wiring Issues?!

I can find the MKR-19 online, but what about the line from the Battery to the breaker? Do I rig my own with two spade-ends? Use 6 ga wire?

I take it I run the positive from the motor to one side of the breaker, and the "new" wire from the breaker to the battery terminal...

Yes, 6ga wire with ring terminals on each end. Breaker need to be 12" or less from the battery as you are protecting the wiring and everything after it from shorts, not just the motor.