Bow-mount install questions

[PrplGld]

Merry Christmas everyone. Santa brought me a new Minn Kota Edge 40lb/FC for my old 16' Skeeter. I see that the power cables (10 AWG red/10 AWG black, round battery connectors) are connected to the bottom of the foot control. A tag attached to the power cables says that a 6 gauge wire should be used to connect to the battery

Why can't I simply connect the 10 AWG connectors directly to the battery (with a fuse of course)? I planned to keep the battery in a rear compartment so I'll need to buy a few more feet of 10 AWG wire, or should I connect 6 AWG to the 10 AWG?

This is my first bass boat and I've never used a trolling motor. Leaving the foot control loose will expose the power cables and probly cause damage to the wires eventually. It seems I should drill a hole in the deck, lower the cables through the hole and mount the foot control to the deck, there are screw holes on the foot control apparently for that purpose. Do you guys recommend mounting the foot control to the deck?

Thanks for any help.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Bow-mount install questions

Does the boat not have a trolling motor plug already up front?
As far a mounting the FC to the deck, gots to make sure to leave room for the wire to move as you raise and lower the TM.

 

[crb478]

Re: Bow-mount install questions

I believe that a 6 gauge from the battery to the front of the boat is probably about right. Put a plug there and then you can plug in the trolling motor to the boat. Its is a long run from the back of the boat to the front and you do not want to undersize the wire that is bringing the current to your trolling motor.

 

[PrplGld]

Re: Bow-mount install questions

Does the boat not have a trolling motor plug already up front?
As far a mounting the FC to the deck, gots to make sure to leave room for the wire to move as you raise and lower the TM.

No, it's a 1992 model, the old TM was DOA when I obtained the boat earlier this year. The old TM was jerry-rigged with the cable running directly through an old jagged hole in the front panel.

I figured on leaving plenty of room for cord travel if the FC was mounted to the deck, I'm worried about any other concerns that I might not think of being a newbie and all with TMs.

 

[PrplGld]

Re: Bow-mount install questions

I believe that a 6 gauge from the battery to the front of the boat is probably about right. Put a plug there and then you can plug in the trolling motor to the boat. Its is a long run from the back of the boat to the front and you do not want to undersize the wire that is bringing the current to your trolling motor.

That would require exposing the power cables on the deck, some type of additional shielding or flexible conduit might be needed. And more clutter on a deck that's already on the small side. I'm wondering why battery connectors are on the power cables if they recommend using 6 gauge cables. Should I be wiring through a block or electrical panel on the boat?

 

[DJ]

Re: Bow-mount install questions

You may already have cables that run from the front to back. Investigate that. If you do, just wire in a new plug and socket.

As said, 6 guage is a minimum for a long run like that.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bow-mount install questions

The instructions are correct. 6 gauge is suggest when running from the batteries to a troller receptacle. However, if you don't intend to use a connector and connect directly to the battery, the wires on the motor are fine. If 6 gauge was required, the motor would have them. Connect it and go.

 

[flabum]

Re: Bow-mount install questions

The ring were put on the TM cable so you could secure them to studs under the deck like these:

electricboatparts.com.au/persistent/catalogue_images/categories/260020.jpg

Then run the 6 Ga wire from the batteries to the studs.

 

[PrplGld]

Re: Bow-mount install questions

You may already have cables that run from the front to back. Investigate that. If you do, just wire in a new plug and socket.

As said, 6 guage is a minimum for a long run like that.

I do, but they're original (15 years old), I would feel better with some new ones.

 

[PrplGld]

Re: Bow-mount install questions

Thanks for the tips, sounds like I have the info I need.

 

[PrplGld]

Re: Bow-mount install questions

I've run my 6awg cables and connected them. All I have left to do is make the battery lug connections for the trolling motor cables and install new lugs for the starting battery.

Question: I plan to solder the closed-lug connections for the starting battery and trolling motor battery but should I have soldered the other connections in my trolling motor wiring? I didn't solder the 6awg connections to the 50amp breaker or the connections to the studs at the front end.

 

[PrplGld]

Re: Bow-mount install questions

hello? help!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bow-mount install questions

6 of one 1/2 dozen the other. if well crimped they will be fine.

 

[PrplGld]

Re: Bow-mount install questions

6 of one 1/2 dozen the other. if well crimped they will be fine.

Ok, thanks. I feel better