Faq And Reviews – About Install Trolling Motor
Robert asks…
Can I install trolling motor on my bowrider Bayliner175?
Please, need advise can I install trolling motor at bow or transome on Bailiner 175. Any respond will apriciate. Thanks. Peter
Staff – Customer Service answers:
Buy a Motorguide remote 50″ shaft. The remote model doesnt require the cabling between the trolling motor head and a foot control. This way you can control the boat without having to modify the front seats to accept a fishing seat.
Sandra asks…
Can I use the battery in the back of my boat for a bow mounted trolling motor?
I would like to install a bow mounted trolling motor in my boat. Would it work to hook it up to the 12v battery I have in back of the boat? Or is that too far for the electric current to travel? Thanks for any info!
Why would it drain quicker than if the battery was in the front? Thanks.
Staff – Customer Service answers:
“Would it work to hook it up to the 12v battery I have in back of the boat?”
It will work, but not very well.
* If your existing battery is not a “deep cycle” battery, it won’t tolerate repeated deep discharges very well — it will wear out prematurely. I mean real fast.
* A half-day of fishing *WILL* drain the battery too low to crank the motor. Even the beefiest alternators on the biggest outboards would need hours of full-throttle running to keep it charged.
“Or is that too far for the electric current to travel?”
It’s far enough that the “voltage drop” will make a noticeable difference in performance — a trolling motor demands a lot of power, and you’ll have twice the length of the boat (plus a couple feet of slack) in wiring. You can compensate by using heavier wiring 6 gauge wires at a minimum. And *DO* include a circuit breaker.
“Why would it drain quicker than if the battery was in the front?”
It won’t drain quicker, you just won’t be getting the full voltage to the motor.
In fact your battery will probably last longer, because the bow takes a lot more pounding in rough water. Shock and vibration cause premature battery failure.
Get the biggest, heaviest marine deepcycle battery you can afford, and a quality battery charger preferably with “float” or “maintain” mode. Recharge it soon as you get off the water, and top it off every couple weeks of non-use.
Lisa asks…
Installing new trolling motor?
Installing a Minn-Kota Terrova 24V 80lb. thrust trolling motor. Just wondering if the 60 amp circuit breaker they recommend will be to heavy. I’m running 8 gauge wire at a length of about 10′ after all the twists and turns from battery to the 10 gauge wire leads installed on motor (via plug & receptacle),for easy removal My main question is the 60amp circuit breaker compatible with 8 gauge wire. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated, as I am no electrician by any means
Staff – Customer Service answers:
Yeah, you will be fine. I cannot see the cataclysmic load that would trip the thing, but I’ve done rigging and repair work on literally hundreds of these installations that had NO circuit protection and more hundreds with a 40,60, or 100 amp breaker all without any problems. Feel the #8 wires after running the motor for a long stretch…if they’re hot, go bigger. (I used 4-0 on mine)
Bob
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