I purchased a Minn Kota 55 motor to use on my boat. Instead of having the battery to power the motor sitting in the cockpit I tried to mount in in the cabin below the entrance hatch amidships.
I followed the advice that I received in an earlier post by drilling two holes in the stern above the lazzarette, inserting stainless steel bolts through the holes, insulating them well with rubber bushings, then running a cable back to the battery. The cable is a Minn Kota accessory. It had a 15 amp fuse on the positive side. I hooked the motor up correctly to the bolts. Problem is, everytime I turned the throttle it blew the fuse. I then tried a 20 amp furze, same result.
If I connect the cables from the motor straight to the battery there is no problem. But I would prefer not to have the battery rolling around the cockpit.
My question should I try a 25 amp furze, or is there something I rigged up incorrectly that I can fix?
Thanks,
Keith
Sounds like too much resistance. You might need bigger cables. Try this next.
ick
Keith,
I use a 34lb motor guide on my CP 16, and it pulls at least 30 amps. I keep the battery under the bridge deck on my boat. To run the wire back to the motor, I bought a pair of 8ga jumper cables (cut off the clamps) and wired them into the trolling motor leads. On the other end I use automotive style bolt on battery clamps for a positive connection. Works great (no fuse-- I need to add one).
Anyway... I'd bet your 55lb motor is pulling close to 50 amps, make sure your wire can handle it (I say 6ga minimum). I'm not an electrical engineer, but that is based on charts I found online for amps/gauge/ 15ft distance.
What is the minnkota accessory wire gauge?
Kevin
I think every body is on the right path with wire size. Kevin sounds right on. BILL