trolling motor power cables

[stl]

I have a transom mount and a bow mount trolling motor for my 14 foot jon. They are never both ran at the same time. The battery is near the stern. When I want to use the bow mount I have to bring the battery up to the bow. A lot of trouble. I saw the male and female connectors for trolling motors, made by Attwood. I would like to use this system. What guage wire should I use to make the run from the battery to the bow. The run will be around 12 foot and the trolling motor is a 30 pound thrust. The wire on the connectors is 10 guage, if that matters. Also I read on hear not to use the alligator style clamps but rather the circle type. I will have a depth finder and other accessory lights attached to the screw type terminals of the battery, will it be ok to put the trolling motor on the same terminal? Thanks

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: trolling motor power cables

#8 would work and 6 would be even better. Alligator type clips loose their strength after a while and you do not get a good connection. You can run your depth finder off the same battery but you may get interference from the TM, Also as the battery gets weaker while out fishing it may not supply enough voltage to the depthfinder and it will shut off when you run the TM. If that is the case a little motorcycle battery or lawnmower battery will run your D/F for several days.

 

[stl]

Re: trolling motor power cables

Thanks for the response. Using a lawn mower battery for small ectronics is a good idea. I never thought of that.

 

[JB]

Re: trolling motor power cables

For that 12' run I wouldn't use anything smaller than AWG 6. That wire can be pretty stiff unless you get marine grade, which is nice and limber.

 

[stl]

Re: trolling motor power cables

I read on Motor Guides web site that they recommend using 6 guage. I was having a hard time finding anything under 10. I went to some auto part stores and even a boat dealer. I finally found some at Lowes. Would this type of wire be ok? I know marine grade would be best, but anything with marine in front of it means extra $$. Also do you think I could get by with 8 guage, the 6 is really expensive. I am kinda working on a limited budget. What kinda problems would I have if I used 8 insted of 6? I really dont have a good understanding of amps, ohms, and voltage drop ect. So please bear with me. Thanks

 

[stl]

Re: trolling motor power cables

One more thought. Should I install an inline fuse? Seems like someone told me 50 amp. I also foresee a problem connecting all of the wires together. I was thinking if using butt connectors with shrink wrap. I have not been able to find 6 guage but connectors, plus the wires off the male connector are 10 guage. Maybee just tape and shrink wrap. What do you think?

 

[JB]

Re: trolling motor power cables

The more compromises and short cuts you take the more trouble you are letting yourself in for, STL.

*Smaller than #6 wire will drop the voltage and waste battery power.
*Non-marine grade wire is vulnerable to corrosion and stiff, leading to increased probability of broken wire.
*Jerry-rigged and Rube Goldberg connections and terminations are likely to corrode and to drop voltage. Worst case, start a fire.

Make the compromises you feel you need to make, but it's a "pay me now or pay me later" sort of decision.

 

[stl]

Re: trolling motor power cables

Thanks JB. After giving it some thought and doing the math I decide to go with 6 guage marine wire. I saw it on e-bay for a buck a foot. It really is not that much more expensive to do it the right way.

 

[C-VENN]

Re: trolling motor power cables

Just spent over $200 on wire on other electrical stuff for boat, sounds like alot of money but at least I will only do it once and should never have a faliure out on the water.

 

[stl]

Re: trolling motor power cables

Any other suggestions on making the connections. The male and female adapters have 10 awg on them that means I will be going from 6 to 10. I don't see any 6 guage butt connectors anywhere in stores or on the net. Also what about a fuse? Thanks