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Trolling motor install

Discussion in 'Little Spoon's Stupid Questions' started by Little Spoon, Jun 7, 2023.

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  1. Little Spoon

    Little Spoon Well-Known Member

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    I have 0 clue on what I am doing when it comes to installs/ wiring and such. And knowing nothing about how my boat is wired to the trolling motor currently what are the must haves/ important things to make sure I have for the install
     
    Little Spoon, Jun 7, 2023
    #1
  2. Gord

    Gord Well-Known Member

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    Proper gauge wire and proper connection is of the upmost importance. Lots of members here know lots.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    Gord, Jun 7, 2023
    #2
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  3. BIGGAMEFISHER

    BIGGAMEFISHER Well-Known Member

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    Depending on wire run, 8 gauge min, heat shrink ring terminals (or even better wide pad battery lugs, soldered and heat shrink) heat shrink butt connectors, dielectric grease, appropriately sized circuit breaker, Anderson Connectors........could be a pretty extensive list if you're not sure what's going on with it currently.

    What size and type of motor?
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2023
    BIGGAMEFISHER, Jun 7, 2023
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  4. Little Spoon

    Little Spoon Well-Known Member

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    Ended up with a ghost got a deal I couldn't say no too.
     
    Little Spoon, Jun 7, 2023
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  5. BIGGAMEFISHER

    BIGGAMEFISHER Well-Known Member

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    What's max amp draw?
     
    BIGGAMEFISHER, Jun 7, 2023
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  6. Little Spoon

    Little Spoon Well-Known Member

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    43 a
     
    Little Spoon, Jun 7, 2023
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  7. BIGGAMEFISHER

    BIGGAMEFISHER Well-Known Member

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    I think even in 24v mode those things have close to 100lbs of thrust....should have bought my LiFePO4 battery!
     
    BIGGAMEFISHER, Jun 7, 2023
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  8. glennie_rapala

    glennie_rapala Well-Known Member

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    I’m not sure if there’s a quick release bracket that comes with it, or if an aftermarket one is available or even necessary. If your boat had a Minn Kota installed prior, you’re probably looking at drilling new holes.

    I’d reach under your bow tip and check if there’s a section of plywood underneath for stability. I had to add one on my old boat.

    Y    outube has lots of reference material.
     
    glennie_rapala, Jun 7, 2023
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  9. Jneuf

    Jneuf Well-Known Member

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    Worked out ok for me though!

    Spoon, you had a 24V Minn Kota installed when you bought it right? Honestly, if you’re uncomfortable with wiring, just run the Ghost as a 24V…if you’re going to insist on 36V, you’ll likely have to rewire the front plug. If that’s the case, and you’re uncomfortable touching wiring, call @EYEhigh89
     
    Jneuf, Jun 7, 2023
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  10. Gord

    Gord Well-Known Member

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    Congrats


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    Gord, Jun 7, 2023
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  11. Green

    Green Well-Known Member

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    Go to a battery shop. Buy 3 12 volt group 31s .
    Buy the cables from there. With the lugs on the end. (Golf cart battery cables) are like 6 bucks. You need 2 for 3 batteries.

    Hook them up Pos-neg-pos-neg
    put the red wire from motor on first pos
    Put the black wire from motor on last negative

    buy a 3 bank charger. Put each bank on each battery.

    buy new batteries in 5 years if you need too.

    you’ll need 4 screws to mount the charger.

    4000$ tm shoulda came with mounting hardware. But who knows.
     
    Green, Jun 7, 2023
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  12. LizLakeZed

    LizLakeZed Well-Known Member

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    Speaking from experience,,,,don’t f’ around with a half ass job with that type of current and voltage. I have a 55 lb Terrova (12 V) and that thing shorted at a tired old quick connect junction. I heard a sizzling sound, one pop and then the wire burst into flames while I was trolling last year. Almost shit my pants! Thankfully no damage to the motor but it was a stark reminder of how much juice is flowing through there. And that’s a piddly 12 V setup.
     
    LizLakeZed, Jun 7, 2023
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  13. Little Spoon

    Little Spoon Well-Known Member

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    Yikes bet that made your asshole pucker. I have zero clue at what I'm doing so I'll most likely end up taking somewhere
     
    Little Spoon, Jun 8, 2023
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  14. craigm

    craigm Well-Known Member

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    Congrats on the new motor @Little Spoon ....a Ghost no less. Well played. I think @LizLakeZed hit the nail on the head here....get er done right is my advice also. If you aren't confident that you can get er done right, pay for a couple hours of labour and take it to Anchor Marine.
     
    craigm, Jun 8, 2023
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  15. ribbie

    ribbie Well-Known Member

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    Definitely get it done right and then post up some pics when it’s done!

    What are you doing for your active target on the boat right now power wise?
     
    ribbie, Jun 8, 2023
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  16. Little Spoon

    Little Spoon Well-Known Member

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    I don't have live imaging yet... but the plan is eventually a lithium for electronics....
     
    Little Spoon, Jun 8, 2023
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  17. robm

    robm Well-Known Member

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    Agreed - and particularly with the ghost and how efficient it is, you’ll probably find that 24v is sufficient and there’s no need to worry about buying a 3rd battery $$$ and the additional wiring you’re not comfortable doing. You have the luxury of testing in that manner with the ghost, it’s a push of a button to flip from 24v to 36v mode.
     
    robm, Jun 8, 2023
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  18. Patty

    Patty Well-Known Member

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    The ghost install isn’t super complicated, but it’s a little more difficult compared to say a terrova or powerdrive… I’d say your best bet is to get someone like Jaret to install it, so you know it’s done properly like everyone else has said already lol…
     
    Patty, Jun 8, 2023
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  19. Mike B.

    Mike B. Well-Known Member

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    Congrats on a Ghost! That's deadly

    Also, congrats for being humble and admitting you aren't strong with making connections and installing.

    A trolling motor on a boat, drawing amps like they do...... there's really nothing that's going to be so forgiving that you can be awarded 3 chances for trial and error.

    A lot of us take it for granted that we can strip and connect wires properly, cuz some of us have done it tens of thousands of times.

    As far as batteries go--- a high end motor like that would be great with lithium if you had money to burn, but if your wallet is engineered like most of ours, lithium likely isn't a smart move. Pretty high premium to save some weight in the boat.

    Also, while you're shopping, get a fire extinguisher if you don't have one already, and do whatever you can to never have to use it.


    Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk
     
    Mike B., Jun 10, 2023
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  20. BIGGAMEFISHER

    BIGGAMEFISHER Well-Known Member

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    BIGGAMEFISHER, Jun 10, 2023
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