Trolling Motor ?

[dstuard]

I really did not know where to post this so here goes. I have a Bill Dance foot control trolling motor. When I put it on the highest speed (5), the wire gets hot and blows the fuse. Any ideas what might cause this or how I can fix it? It works great on 4 but not 5.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Trolling Motor ?

Hey dsturad....what make is the trolling motor? If it ain't the speed control switch, could be the speed coil in the lower unit.

 

[NathanY]

Re: Trolling Motor ?

A little off topic here, but did you ever get your Merc going? How does she run?

 

[buttonhook]

Re: Trolling Motor ?

it sounds like the wire feeding the motor is to small. when you put it on high it pulls more juice. the wire is not big enough to handle it.<br /><br />What size wire is run to it?<br />have you always had the problem with that motor?

 

[dstuard]

Re: Trolling Motor ?

I have always had the problem but I have only owned the boat for a few months. The wire I think is 10 or 12 gauge but I am not sure. It is a Motorguide Bill Dance 30 pound thrust.<br /><br />Nathan - The boat is running great. Even have all the lower unit sealed. I am really looking forward to the summer. It would help to get this stinking trolling motor figured out though. It is only 30 pound thrust and foot control. You think I could use my bow bracket and use a hand controlled motor in it? I would rather have a hand control but money is a little too tight for a new bow mount after spending so much on the motor.

 

[buttonhook]

Re: Trolling Motor ?

10 ga should be enough but if it has alway done it I would check that out. because it is really dangerous(because of fire). Also check all you connections if you have one that is not perfect it can cause it to have to much resistance and it will run hot. also I bet if that is the cause and you fix it you'll find the motor running alot better too.

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: Trolling Motor ?

Maybe the motor is bad (or even poorly designed)and has been pulling (using) more amps than the fuse, fuse holder, connection(s), or other were originally designed to handle.<br /><br />If so it could stress the above mentioned items only adding to the issue. Once the fuse holder and various connections start showing signs of overheating(if this is the case) things can go downhill from there.<br /><br />Put an ampmeter on it and determine if the amp draw is ecessive.<br /><br />Probably the best suggestion is make sure the battery is providing the needed 12 or 24 volts or close to it. If the battery has a bad cell and only providing 10 volts it could add to your problem.<br /><br />Check the connections, stay off speed 5, or replace the unit.

 

[dstuard]

Re: Trolling Motor ?

I will double check my wire and make sure it is big enough. My fuse is only 20 amp but that still would not explain the wire getting hot. Maybe I am wrong about the wire gauge. Too small a wire would make sense to me.

 

[buttonhook]

Re: Trolling Motor ?

if in doubt just change the whole wire both + and - and if you do. install a curc. breaker instead of a fuse and make sure your + and - wire are as close to the same lenght as poss.<br />also it's better to have too big of a guage(6-8 ga.) wire than to have too small(12-14 ga.). if your check some of the car audio places around you they will have the correct size that you need!! and they may even install in for you.<br /><br />How far is the wire run (total feet) and how many amps is your motor?<br />do the wires have any crimp connectors on it any where if so what color are they???

 

[dstuard]

Re: Trolling Motor ?

Can I get a Circuit Breaker from an auto parts store? What amp breaker should I get?

 

[buttonhook]

Re: Trolling Motor ?

you can check at autoparts stores if you can find one I'm sure Iboats may have one. boaterworld does sell them and basspro shops, cableas, etc. also does. the good thing is if it ever does trip you just reset it insead of getting a new fuse(that gets old). <br />in order to know what size to get. You would need to know what size fuse you motor calls for and just buy one that matches I think most are 30-40 amp. but don't buy one that is too small(it will trip all the time(very annoying). and don't buy one too big as it will not trip(fire danger!!!!!!!!!!)<br />12 dc will burn you boat up!! be careful with it!!

 

[dstuard]

Re: Trolling Motor ?

I hope I have found my problem. The wire with the fuse holder was added on to the original wire. The fues holder wire is about half the size of the original. I would guess 14 gauge probably. Maybe 12. I will replace it and hopefully when I get to fish again it will work on high.

 

[buttonhook]

Re: Trolling Motor ?

that could be some of it what are you doing for a fuse now?????

 

[dstuard]

Re: Trolling Motor ?

I had a 20 amp fuse in it. I will try and replace with a circuit breaker. Where would I find out what the suggested rating is?

 

[buttonhook]

Re: Trolling Motor ?

owners manual. if don't have that check manu. website might have a tech section. 12 ga is the bare min. that I would use with that motor. 10 ga. better 8 ga. is prob. what you need. remember the less restrictive the wire the better and longer your engine will run. the battery will not run down as quick and the motor will preform better you may even find they you don't even need to use level 5 if you change to the correct size wire.<br />I used 8 ga and a 40 amp breaker with my motorguide motor(28 amp 12 volt) I've had not problems with heat or with breaker triping. remember the shorter the length of wire the smaller the wire you need. So if you running it from the front of the boat to the back I would think you need bigger wire. if your running it 1/2 that far 12 ga. might be ok.<br />but you def. needed to get that 14 ga. out of there because with that 14 ga. in there the whole wire was acting as if was all 14 ga. instead of 12 ga.. what ever is the most restricted part then that is the max. it can use. just like waterline. <br />you wouldn't use 2" line when you need 6" line would you?? you would get water out of the 2" line but not the amount that you need.

 

[dstuard]

Re: Trolling Motor ?

Thanks for the help. Hopefully I will have a chance to try it out this weekend. I really think this will be my problem.

 

[buttonhook]

Re: Trolling Motor ?

I think so to just remember when dealing with electricty it flows through wire like water flow thruogh pipe the big the pipe(wire) the more flow. if you fix the wire diff. and it is still running hot change the wire size.

 

[dstuard]

Re: Trolling Motor ?

Problem solved. Bought a 40 amp breaker and 10 gauge wire from NAPA. Ran it for a while at the lake and felt of the wire and it was not even warm. Thanks for all the help. I love this site.