Trolling Motor Wiring

[mav6759]

I have a question, I'm mounting a new trolling motor and I'm running the wiring to the rear of the boat where the batteries are. My boat is 17.5 foot long, my question is, am I losing amp's from the batteries to the motor by running 17 feet of wire.

Mav6759

 

[Tim Wagner]

Re: Trolling Motor Wiring

No, you wont.
Just match the wire coming out of the motor and maybe even drop a guage.
I.E. motor has 10 gauge, wire it with 8 gauge.
Id be absolutely sure I used some kind of breaker.
Why?? Cause when you have a unexpected snow or a ridiculous rain that mysteriously want to lay on the cover and push the "on" button on the motor.
It wont burn itself out pulling locked rotor currents cause the prop wont spin.
(dont ask me how I know this little scenario)
17 feet wont cause a noticable voltage drop.

 

[BoatNoobie]

Re: Trolling Motor Wiring

12v, 24v, or 36v application? Supposely the 24v and 36v setups are more efficient.

The length is actually double, so ~34ft to make a connection. Using 6AWG should minimize any drop in amps though.

 

[wifisher]

Re: Trolling Motor Wiring

You need to provide more information to get an accurate answer to this question. What is the voltage, and what is the amperage of the motor? Without these two numbers, there is no way to answer the question. Using the same size wire that is coming out of the motor is wrong. It will need to be larger, as the distance is increased. Also, is the wire length truely 17 ft each way? You may find the wire to be longer depending on how you have to route it.

Also, you will not lose amps, regardless of the wire length. You will lose voltage. You will lose voltage on every wire. Size and length is what determines how much of it you will lose.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Trolling Motor Wiring

You need to provide more information to get an accurate answer to this question. What is the voltage, and what is the amperage of the motor?

Also, is the wire length truely 17 ft each way? You may find the wire to be longer depending on how you have to route it.

^^^ agree