Trolling Motors - Convert Bow Model to Stern

[Lark40]

I have two Minn Kota trolling motors, Both about 50 lbs. thrust. One is a bow model and one is a transom model, whose lower unit is trashed.<br /><br />I no longer have a boat that could use the bow mount. I want to convert the bow mount to stern mount. It would appear that I could use the transom bracket and head unit from the transom motor.<br /><br />The thing that concerns me is that the transom motor used four wires to the lower unit and the bow model only used two. From what I've observed with test leads, the second set of wires only become live when you pass half throttle in forward gear. My boat is very light, so I doubt I'll need full throttle very often for the trolling motor.<br /><br />Can this conversion work, or what am I not seeing?

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Trolling Motors - Convert Bow Model to Stern

Sounds like you have a 2 wire solid state variable speed motor. AND a 4 wire manual twist speed model. Right ? The 2 wire variable can run either model. Call the company and get their tech support. Use the bow motor with it's controller. Use only the transom mounting bracket from the transom. No wiring job needed.

 

[Lark40]

Re: Trolling Motors - Convert Bow Model to Stern

Thanks, but that won't address my need. The two wire control does not have a reverse, and I will have the engine rigged for remote operation - the 4-wire control head will be mounted in the cockpit. The bow mounted controls with the electric swivel for reverse can't be mounted at the transom, and I wasn't planning on using them. The boat has old-style cable/pulley steering, and I have fabricated an adapter to steer the motor.<br /><br />I guess my question is: Can I just wire both the two control reds to the motor red and the two control blacks to the motor black lead? I think that would give me both the Forward/Reverse and speed controls. Not even sure that I would need the high speed forward leads attached.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Trolling Motors - Convert Bow Model to Stern

Call the company and ask for Techinical Support. It is FREE ACCURATE advice.

 

[Lark40]

Re: Trolling Motors - Convert Bow Model to Stern

Thank You, Richard<br /><br />I called Minn Kota and quickly got a tech adviser who understood and answered my questions. She knew the technology of both motors and where the similarities and differences were. I can now proceeed with my setup knowing that it will work as I had hoped.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Trolling Motors - Convert Bow Model to Stern

I love it, when people do it the rightest way the first time! Thanks for telling the rest of us.