Trolling Motor Help

[patrickray]

I have a brand new Minn Kota 55# thrust. I took it out for the first time yesterday. Well, after the pull rope broke on my 9.5. I used the trolling motor to put around. Then after about 15 min. I blew my 40 amp fuse! When I changed the fuse, the holder and wires were melted? The only thing I can think that could caused this it that im not running heavy enough gauge wire? Or could there be something else im over looking. I was only pushing a 16' jon.

Thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trolling Motor Help

That motor requires a 50A fuse or breaker. The wires on the fuse holder also need to be the same size or larger than the rest of the wire otherwise it becomes the fuse. What gauge the wire is reqyuired depends on haw long the run is between the battery and the motor. On short runs of just a couple of feet, 8 gauge is common. On longer runs and larger motors, 6 gauge is required and even 4 gauge is used on very long runs.

 

[patrickray]

Re: Trolling Motor Help

Thanks Silvertip, I kinda figured it was a wire gauge problem. The motor has 6ga and im using 10 to conect to the batt. I will get new wire and a new fuse holder for a 50 amp fuse and try it out. Thanks again.

 

[crw1957]

Re: Trolling Motor Help

West Marine has a great wire gauge chart. Got to the marine wire section and you will find the chart. I suspect the amp draw from that trolling motor is high. Distance is another factor. Check out the chart. You will learn a lot. Increasing the size of the wire at your battery should correct the problem.