Minnkota wiring?

[propwash]

HI GUY'S,<br />Ijust installed a minnkota powerdrive to my boat but let me tellya i'm still scratching my head.<br />The problem was that it came with about 4ft of leadwire and i had to purchase 13 more feet,which i did from cabela's marine catalog,i bought the 6 guage that minnkota recommended and when i got the wire it was twice the size of my leadwire in diameter,how can there be such a difference when they are the same guage wire?Also the minnkota book say's hook leads directly to battery then the paper attached to the motor say's use a inline fuse 35 to 40 amp all i can find is a 30 amp fuse with a 8 guage wire.do i really need this fuse?it is a 12volt motor.any words of wisdom are appreciated so i can sleep at night before i start giving this thing a workout.<br /><br /> THANKS<br /> PROPWASH.

 

[Copespitter]

Re: Minnkota wiring?

I've never ran fuses on any of my trolling motors and have never had a problem. A fuse isn't going to hurt unless it blows and you don't have a spare.<br />I don't know about the wire guage issue but the wire leads out of any trolling motor do seem kinda small especially when your running 15'-20' of wire to the battery.<br />I can get used jumper cables for $2.00 and thats what I use for wire.

 

[JoeW]

Re: Minnkota wiring?

Propwash,<br />I ran into the same situation when I wired my Power Drive 24v. I found a 40 amp circuit breaker at West Marine for $35. The lead wires coming off of the motor are not 6ga. I had to buy a set of step-down butt end connectors in order to connect the two. I found them at a local hardware store.<br />-Joe

 

[kalan2000]

Re: Minnkota wiring?

Joe's right. Don't install without a circuit breaker or fuse on the hot (red) wire close to the battery. If the fuse blows, it's protecting you from a possible electrical fire. That's helping you, not hurting you. <br /><br />Forget using recycled battery jumper cables. As an affordable alternative to the high priced marine wiring, you should be able to buy gasoline and oil resistant wiring from the local hardware store for about 50 cents per foot. The Cabela's wire should be perfect for your job.

 

[propwash]

Re: Minnkota wiring?

Thank guy's,<br />i did manage to get the wires spliced and i'll leave that 30amp fuse in there if it starts blowing a lot then i'll have to find a 40amp.<br />that wire from cabelas was pricy,i bought the bonded wire and it costed me 34 bucks for 13ft but it should last forever.i can't wait to get out and test her .<br /> propwash.