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Author Topic:   Wiring for Electric Trolling Motor

Hiatus posted 02-08-2006 09:23 PM ET (US)
I have a Montauk 17. Both the deep cycle and starting battery are located underneath the center console. I want to mount a transom mounted electric motor. The power cables on the motor are only 3 feet long. They are also factory terminated with round or u-shaped ends. What is the best way to extend the power cables to reach the battery. I need an additional 8 to 10 feet.
Chuck Tribolet posted 02-08-2006 10:25 PM ET (US)
You don't want the connection down in the wet tunnel. And
you don't want it close to the motor where it's getting flexed
as you turn.
The extended wires should be be Marine grade. Ancor is a
good brand. They make plain wire, and "boat cable" where
there's an outer jacket enclosing two (or more) conductors.
The boat cable makes a nice sanitary job.
Check the specs for the motor to see what the current draw
is, Figure out how long the run is, and then check the table
in the West Marine catalog or on the Ancor website to figure
out what size wire you need and buy it. And pick up some
of Ancor's hot melt glue lined heat shrink.
Cut off the connectors on the end, strip the wires back,
slide the heat shrink on AND WELL AWAY FROM THE JOINT. Solder
the extension wires on, WAIT FOR THE JOINT TO COOL, slide the
heat shrink over, and shrink it. Now fish the cable through
the tunnel. At the console end, wire an appropriate inline
fuse, and wire direct to the deep cycle battery.

Chuck
swist posted 02-09-2006 07:11 AM ET (US)
I don't know how easily that motor comes apart, but if possible, I would think of running entirely new wires if you can get at the motor-end termination, and if it uses normal connectors (spades, eyelets, etc). If they emerge from some hermetically sealed unopenable chamber you have no choice but extending them.
It would really be a lot cleaner and more reliable if you do that.
Hiatus posted 02-09-2006 05:32 PM ET (US)
Thanks for all the advise.
Can I use some kind of crimp connectors? I've never soldered anything.
Chuck Tribolet posted 02-09-2006 08:30 PM ET (US)
I'd solder it. Find a buddy with a good sized soldering
iron (or gun in the size I suspect you are going to deal
with) to show you how.

Chuck
drd posted 02-19-2006 08:51 AM ET (US)
I don't know if you thought about it. But you may want to place a plug/socket somewhere in case you want to remove the trolling motor at some point.

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Author	Topic: Wiring for Electric Trolling Motor
Hiatus	posted 02-08-2006 09:23 PM ET (US) I have a Montauk 17. Both the deep cycle and starting battery are located underneath the center console. I want to mount a transom mounted electric motor. The power cables on the motor are only 3 feet long. They are also factory terminated with round or u-shaped ends. What is the best way to extend the power cables to reach the battery. I need an additional 8 to 10 feet.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 02-08-2006 10:25 PM ET (US) You don't want the connection down in the wet tunnel. And you don't want it close to the motor where it's getting flexed as you turn. The extended wires should be be Marine grade. Ancor is a good brand. They make plain wire, and "boat cable" where there's an outer jacket enclosing two (or more) conductors. The boat cable makes a nice sanitary job. Check the specs for the motor to see what the current draw is, Figure out how long the run is, and then check the table in the West Marine catalog or on the Ancor website to figure out what size wire you need and buy it. And pick up some of Ancor's hot melt glue lined heat shrink. Cut off the connectors on the end, strip the wires back, slide the heat shrink on AND WELL AWAY FROM THE JOINT. Solder the extension wires on, WAIT FOR THE JOINT TO COOL, slide the heat shrink over, and shrink it. Now fish the cable through the tunnel. At the console end, wire an appropriate inline fuse, and wire direct to the deep cycle battery. Chuck
swist	posted 02-09-2006 07:11 AM ET (US) I don't know how easily that motor comes apart, but if possible, I would think of running entirely new wires if you can get at the motor-end termination, and if it uses normal connectors (spades, eyelets, etc). If they emerge from some hermetically sealed unopenable chamber you have no choice but extending them. It would really be a lot cleaner and more reliable if you do that.
Hiatus	posted 02-09-2006 05:32 PM ET (US) Thanks for all the advise. Can I use some kind of crimp connectors? I've never soldered anything.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 02-09-2006 08:30 PM ET (US) I'd solder it. Find a buddy with a good sized soldering iron (or gun in the size I suspect you are going to deal with) to show you how. Chuck
drd	posted 02-19-2006 08:51 AM ET (US) I don't know if you thought about it. But you may want to place a plug/socket somewhere in case you want to remove the trolling motor at some point.