Question on wiring TM plug

[nathan104]

I just got in my Minn Kota Powerdrive 40. I got it mounted and am looking at getting it wired in. I already have a recepticle in the front where an old TM was(which Ill be replacing since its old and crusty).

There was a sticker on the power cord of the new TM that states "Wire used to power the TM should be 6 guage or larger and a 50 amp manual reset circuit breaker should be used"

I pulled out the old plug and Im sure it is not 6 guage wire going to it. It might be 10 guage but Im not positive.

My questions.
Do I really need to go buy 16 ft of 6 guage wire to rerun a new TM recepticle? Is this just recommended and kind of overkill or do I REALLY need 6 guage or larger wire run all the way?

Second question. Im sort of new to boating and have never heard of needing a circuit breaker for the TM. Ive always seen them just wired to the battery. Again, is this just recommended or iis it something that is a must? Thanks a lot. for any help. Thanks.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Question on wiring TM plug

If you are not afraid of fire and smoke, don't use a circuit breaker. However a short at the connector or anywhere along the line between the battery and the motor itself with burn up your boat. That's simply a no-brainer.
Whether you need 6 gauge or 8 gauge depends on how far the motor is from the battery. If the battery is at the back of the boat, you best run 6 gauge. If the battery is up front you can get by with 8 gauge on a 40# motor which is probably what the receptacle is wired with.

 

[nathan104]

Re: Question on wiring TM plug

Ha ha, ok. Like I said, Ive never heard of having a circuit breaker on a TM before. But, I grew up on a farm and everything weve always had was jerry rigged in some way or another. I guess I will bite the bullet and do it the right way.
Wish there was somewhere local to pick up the breaker from but will have to order it and wait again. Was hoping to have this thing in to use it tomorrow which is why I was hoping the wire and breaker werent a necessity. Oh well. Thanks for the info.

Ill also be using the info you posted about fixing the hard to deploy problem for this model. This thing just about gives me a hernia trying to get it to deploy and stow. That first and last inch are just killers. Ill probably be working on that tomorrow now that I wont be fishing :'(

Thanks for all the great info.

 

[nathan104]

Re: Question on wiring TM plug

Well, looking here on iboats, it looks like you can get a $6 manual 50 amp breaker, or a $40 manual 50 amp breaker. I would think the cheap one would work just fine, but I also thought it might not be necessary in the first place:$. So, will the cheap one be sufficient?

Also, can it be attached at any point in the run or should it be closer the the recepticle or the battery?

Thanks again for helping out the clueless..

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Question on wiring TM plug

I would go with the cheaper one, as it will work fine. You may find one of these at your local auto parts store too. Place it close to the battery....

 

[nathan104]

Re: Question on wiring TM plug

Thanks for the info. Will hit up the auto parts stores tomorrow. Hopefully, I can finish up the TM install and be all set......to move on to the next issue on the boat d

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Question on wiring TM plug

The breaker needs to be ON the positive terminal of the battery. The red wire attaches to the breaker and is routed to the motor receptacle. Putting the breaker anywhere else provides no protection between the battery and wherever you put the breaker. If you have a farm store that sells sporting goods, they will likely have the breaker as well. They are cheap.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Question on wiring TM plug

If no luck at the parts supply stores, look into an auto stereo install shop, they may also have one.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Question on wiring TM plug

i mounted mine to the side of the battery box.