trolling motor/battery question

[elrod]

I want to put my mini kota trolling motor on the back of my little 14 ft aluminum boat. I want to put the battery for this as far forward as I can and this will require more electrical wire, cable whatever. Any suggestions for doing this. The length of wire that comes out of the motor reaches just past the rear bench seat. I would like the battery clear up front to help distribute weight. I mean, to make it look good, best way to connect wires, type of wire, etc.

 

[HAV2FISH]

Re: trolling motor/battery question

If it were me doing it i would cut the ends off the wires from the trolling motor and take them to the hardware store and have them match the gage wire and connectors. Get enough wire to reach the front of the boat and also get some shrink tubing to run the wires in. Then solder the new wires back together with the trolling motor. Slide them into the shrink tubing and clamp the new connectors on the opposite ends. Run the wires in the boat how ever you want to then connect them to the battery your done.

 

[elrod]

Re: trolling motor/battery question

That is an excellent suggestion. And why I love this forum.

 

[david_r]

Re: trolling motor/battery question

actually the further you go the larger the wire need be.

if you are gonna go 12-14' and possibly run the trolling motor at full throttle for an extended period of time your wires will melt from the inside.

i would go bare minimum one size larger.......... probably 6 gauge at least.. maybe 4 going that far.

i have had problems with melting wires using only a trolling motor on a small boat........... we ended up moving the battery to the stern so we could make it back home, since my wires were melting.

 

[John_S]

Re: trolling motor/battery question

And if you are using ring terminals for battery attachment, you should add a circuit breaker. Consider using a plug if you are looking for a more pemenent battery mount.