New to Electric Trolling Motors..How many Volts, battery etc.

[bumrunner]

Just bought a little 13 foot boat with an older Minn Kota 50PD Powerdrive unit with foot control on it. Here are my questions:
1. Is this a 12V or 24V motor? No batteries came with the boat...
2. I have a 12 V Die Hard Marine battery from a different boat I am not using, can I use it for my new Minn Kota?
3. How do I recharge the battery for these? I have a 12 V trickle charger, do I just hook that up to the battery after every use to recharge it?
4. I want to put an inline fuse in it - What Amperage should I put in?

Thanks to all in advance.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: New to Electric Trolling Motors..How many Volts, battery etc.

1) 12 volt motor
2) Your battery will work. How long it will run the motor depends on the battery capacity (Amp/Hr rating)
3) Trickle charger (1 or 2 amps) is not a good way to charge a deeply discharged battery. You need a minimum of 5 amps and 10 amps is better.
4) Breaker size is 50A minimum.

Battery chargers come in may shapes, capacities, and types. The most convenient is an on-board (permanently mounted in the boat). Plug in at the dock. Next would be a portable. Also plug in at the dock and connect directly to the battery. Either type must be a "smart charger" for longest battery life.

 

[Boatist]

Re: New to Electric Trolling Motors..How many Volts, battery etc.

I agree with Silvertip 100%.

Do not buy a trickle charger as they usually do not turn them self off an can badly over charge your battery. Also can takes many days to recharge. Bad for Battery.

On board charger, automatic charger, Smart charger, 3 stage charger are all good.
10 to 12 amps very good.

After use charge your battery as soon as possible.
The longer it is left discharged the shorter it life will be.