Wiring 2 Trolling Motors to One Controller

[mrokusek]

OK, sounds crazy but I have a friend who inherited two 55lb thrust trolling motors. He'd like to wire them both to a single foot controller. Is this possible? Is there a wiring harness I can buy or one I can make? He has a pontoon boat and occasionally wants the use of the trolling motor instead of gas motor but wants more than the 55lb thrust of one motor. He wants to make use of having 2 of the same motors. Sorry if this has already been posted. If it has, please direct me to that thread. Thanks everyone!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wiring 2 Trolling Motors to One Controller

Not having any idea what make, year and model motors these are, we can't help other than to say "probably not". The simple answer is, trolling motors draw lots of current. The foot controls therefore are designed to handle the power of one motor, not two. Then there is the issue of two motors drawing twice the current as a single so one battery won't cut it. The logical solution to this problem is to sell both of the 55's and buy whatever 24 or 36 volt motor that provides the desired power.

 

[Splat]

Re: Wiring 2 Trolling Motors to One Controller

WIthout more information, I'm assuming were talking about electrically controlled foot peddles, that is the motors are steered electronically, not with a cable.

Tho it doesn't happen very often I disagree with ST on why it won't work.

On a minnkota The control part of the trolling motor is very low current, and is handled with multiplexing. The pedal doesn't actually trip relays and such, instead the signal is sent digitally to the trolling motor from the pedal to tell the motor what to do (start, stop, autopilot, motor speed, turn left, right... ect...)

Where I see the problem being is things such as turn rates between the two motors. I can guarantee they don't spin at the same rate. thus turning the motor eventually they won't be facing the same direction and you'll be SOL. Also if you strike a object and dislogge the motor, you could force it out of skew with the second motor that way.

It just won't work as well as your hoping.

Now if these are cable steered motors, it could be done, but not only would you have to splice wiring (if current draws allow), you would have to find a way to splice steering cables, and the sheaths they go into. It would just be easier and more reliable to sell them off and buy what you really need.
Bill

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wiring 2 Trolling Motors to One Controller

You apparently have never had a foot control apart on an analog Minnkota PD. These are analog motors -- not digital. Those foot controls are problematic when used alone much less by adding additional load (in any amount). The V2's are digital which is why there are different connectors on the two motors. Now then -- digital circuits cannot simply be paralleled as it upsets the design parameters. Remember the discussion in this forum about inserting series resistance with a lamp. Well -- similar things happen you parallel things in a circuit. Which is exactly why I said without knowing what motors were involved it's difficult to tell what will and won't work.

If the motors are cable steered, you are correct in that it would be require some engineering for the steering aspect and even more concern for the speed selector and run-stop switch.

Some things just sound logical but are not worth the effort or expense since in this case, one risks ruining two perfectly good motors.