Trolling Motor Installation Help

[bryanredfish]

OK. Thought I'd save myself a bundle, and install a trolling motor (Minn Kota Riptide - 24v) myself. Looks straightforward, except I've never done any wiring before, and have a few dumb questions:<br /><br />1. It says I need a circuit breaker. I had planned on running it straight to the batteries. I've never heard that a circuit breaker is necessary. Can someone offer some inexpensive options?<br />2. I bought the necessary plugs. On the plugs, there are 3 wires (orange, red, and black). Red=pos, black=neg, but what do I do with the orange one? If it's a ground, I certainly don't know where I can put it, since it's at the bow. Also, where do I put the orange for the plug attached to the trolling motor. There's only red/black here.<br />3. The wires from the trolling motor are already connected to a battering connector (round fitting where it can be screwed on battery). Do I just cut the wires and splice onto the 6 GA wire I ran under the deck?<br />4. LAST QUESTION! I have two trolling motor batteries, but one has fewer amp hours/cranking amps than the other. May I still use these in the series?<br /><br />Thank you so much, and I appreciate the responses. I certainly don't want to screw up a $630 trolling motor!

 

[crab bait]

Re: Trolling Motor Installation Help

i can help alittle.. someone else will come along an fill in the gaps..<br /><br />yes ,,always fuse/or/breaker EVERY electrical componet.. most marine centers carry them .. 40 ,50 ,60 amp.. get what they say.. if not ,,go 60 amp..<br /><br />solder EVERTHIN'...<br /><br />most breakers has screws.. solder on 'circle' stacons/terminal ends on your # 6 ga.wire the appropiate size for screw... crimp first then solder with silver bearin' ROSIN CORE flux electric solder..<br /><br /> battery ,,go short lead to breaker ,,from breaker to motor plug..<br /><br /># 2 question.. <br /><br />can't say/can't help...but my 12 v. system ,, i left blank/not hooked up.. i figured,, the 3 prong (only used 2) .. the 3 prong was a blessin'/help ,, as so to always plug in the same/right way .. as per 'polarity' right...<br /><br /># 3 question..<br />YES...<br /># 4 QUESTION..<br />can't really say.. but can almost say that they should match.. and match in age...

 

[Gadgetman]

Re: Trolling Motor Installation Help

You should be fine with the different size batteries if they are both deep cycle and one of them isn't weak.The old one will eventually weaken the new one.<br /><br />I'm sure someone will straighten me out if I tell you wrong,but I'm pretty sure you'll need to tie the red and orange wires together.<br /><br />Hope this helps.