14' Row boat with battery in the bow motor in the stern

[dcsnet]

I have a Grumman Bandit 14' row boat that I use a Minnkota trolling motor on. I need advice on how I can place the battery in the bow and somehow route cables to something like a fuse block in the stern so I can get more room for my legs in the stern near the motor. I also have an Eagle fishfinder powered by the battery I need some type of connectors for. I take the batteryout everytime I use the boat.
Thanks
Don

 

[jtexas]

Re: 14' Row boat with battery in the bow motor in the stern

welcome to the forum!

If its a marine deepcycle battery, it'll have threaded posts with wingnuts in addition to the regular battery posts, in which case you just need the appropriate sized crimp-on ring terminals.

If its not a marine deepcycle battery, just rig up something temporary.......a car battery (or any other kind of cranking battery) won't last long in that application.

Be aware that running the sonar & trolling motor together you might get some noise showing up on the screen. I'd use a 1-amp in-line fuse for the fishfinder and a circuit-breaker on the T/M - how big depends on the motor, look to the owner's manual for guidance.

The FF current draw is incredibly small, it'll work with very small gauge wires, but the T/M will want 10 or maybe even 8-gauge for that long a run. USCG standard is marine-grade tinned stranded copper wiring; don't tell anyone I told you this, but I've used automotive wiring & got away with it.

I'd think about using some of that flexible split conduit they sell at car parts stores.

 

[chuck_050382]

Re: 14' Row boat with battery in the bow motor in the stern

i have done what you are talking about doing and have 4 10ga wires running from the front of the boat to the back. I have 2 for just the trolling motor and then the other 2 feed my switch panel. I have a 25 amp fuse at the battery for the trolling motor and a 15 amp fuse on the other line, then each accessory is fused also.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: 14' Row boat with battery in the bow motor in the stern

Yes, auto wire works. What you want is some sort of quick disconnect on the battery. The wing nut posts and ring terminals are good for that - fairly quick/easy. Then, you will want the wire running to the stern where the TM is. Have a big TM plug at the TM end. Will make it easy to remove.
http://www.iboats.com/Sierra_2_Wire...d.216598--list_time.1184909801--view_id.45007
Then, you will need some sort of split off with smaller wire to the fish finder. Have a small plug there for easy removal.
http://www.iboats.com/Seachoice_Mol...d.216598--list_time.1184909801--view_id.21873
If you have lights, you are gonna want them on a pole, that remove from their bases or a fixed on on the bowsprit. I hope I shouldn't have to say this, but you only need these if running at night.
http://www.iboats.com/Perko_Combina....236390--list_time.1184910041--view_id.239640
http://www.iboats.com/Seachoice_Bi_...id.236390--list_time.1184910041--view_id.2833
You also will need a stern light. It has to be on a pole.
http://www.iboats.com/Adjustable_He....236391--list_time.1184910301--view_id.341472
You can have them either with plugs like the FF has, and plug them in to use them, or have a three position toggle, so that one position is off, one is both bow and stern lights, and one is just stern light. (bow light doesn't need to be on when not moving) You need to make sure the toggle has On/off/on, and not just on/off.
http://www.iboats.com/Designer_Seri...d.216627--list_time.1184910531--view_id.39650
If you decide to have a bilge pump, you will probably hard wire it and have a two position toggle, or you could have one with a float switch, and a plug like the FF has.

Now, these are NOT the lowest prices. I did this in a hurry, just to give a quick reference, and usually grabbed the first on the page. You can do this a LOT cheaper. Much of this stuff can be had at your local advance auto parts. You don't necessarily need marine stuff, except the navigation lights. Hope this was helpful, and I hope I didn't miss nothing.