Trolling Motor Wiring Question

[LoweStinger]

Hey guys, Im working on my Uncles bass boat installing a Garmin Force trolling motor. The boat is a 2002 Pro Craft. The question I have is on the boat TM wiring. There are 2 Positive wires and 2 negative wires connected to the plug in front and in the back each on of the positive wires are on 2 separate fuses then go to the battery. Why is there 2 wires of each ? Just a bit confused why its this way. Thanks for any help.

[dmackaravitz]

Probably was set up originally as a 12/24v system. The trolling motor was able to switch between 12v and 24v.

12 24v wiring.jpeg

If it were me, I would remove old wiring; replace it with 1 set of 6awg wire, and get a new plug or hardwire. My boat was previously wired the same as yours and used 2 sets of 10awg wire.

[LoweStinger]

Thanks for the reply ! So should I still just put both wires of each together at the batteries or should I disconnect one of each ? Or run it the way the picture you posted shows ?

[5keepers2]

If the the wires are 6 gauge I would use one of each. If they are 10 gauge I would put 2 together ( hopefully same color) for positive and 2 together for negative.

[dwparker99]

If you use both, ensure each wire is fused separately and each fuse is sized appropriately for wire size.

[wmitch2]

Don't use all 4 wires. Use only the Red and Black wires. Tape of the ends of the Orange and White wires and move to the side. Install the RED lead to the Pos side of Battery 1, then a "Jumper" wire from NEG of Battery 1 to the POS of Battery 2 and the BLACK lead to the NEG of Battery 2. On the Plug at the Bow, do the same with the Orange and White wires, and use the Red (Pos) and the Black (Neg) and wire the TM accordingly. Where the Breaker is in the Red wire by the Battery, remove it and wire in a 60Amp Switchable Breaker. Be sure to turn off the breaker when charging the batteries.

[5keepers2]

Don't use all 4 wires. Use only the Red and Black wires. Tape of the ends of the Orange and White wires and move to the side. Install the RED lead to the Pos side of Battery 1, then a "Jumper" wire from NEG of Battery 1 to the POS of Battery 2 and the BLACK lead to the NEG of Battery 2. On the Plug at the Bow, do the same with the Orange and White wires, and use the Red (Pos) and the Black (Neg) and wire the TM accordingly. Where the Breaker is in the Red wire by the Battery, remove it and wire in a 60Amp Switchable Breaker. Be sure to turn off the breaker when charging the batteries.

Just making sure..........your suggesting this if 6 gauge wire and not 10 gauge wire correct? If 10 gauge then pull new 6 gauge?

[wmitch2]

Just making sure..........your suggesting this if 6 gauge wire and not 10 gauge wire correct? If 10 gauge then pull new 6 gauge?

Yes, but pretty sure you already have 6 ga wire.

[davet63]

Don't use all 4 wires. Use only the Red and Black wires. Tape of the ends of the Orange and White wires and move to the side. Install the RED lead to the Pos side of Battery 1, then a "Jumper" wire from NEG of Battery 1 to the POS of Battery 2 and the BLACK lead to the NEG of Battery 2. On the Plug at the Bow, do the same with the Orange and White wires, and use the Red (Pos) and the Black (Neg) and wire the TM accordingly. Where the Breaker is in the Red wire by the Battery, remove it and wire in a 60Amp Switchable Breaker. Be sure to turn off the breaker when charging the batteries.

Not to hijack this thread, but I'm more than a little slow. Why do you need to turn off the breaker when charging the batteries? Doesn't that interrupt your charge path?

[wmitch2]

Not to hijack this thread, but I'm more than a little slow. Why do you need to turn off the breaker when charging the batteries? Doesn't that interrupt your charge path?

No, your charger doesn't charge the Trolling Motor, it charges the Batteries that are CONNECTED to the troller.

Turnung off the breaker protects the Trolling Motor from a sudden surge thru the charger caused by many ways. Lightning, Power surge etc. You should do the same for the starter battery too.

[davet63]

No, your charger doesn't charge the Trolling Motor, it charges the Batteries that are CONNECTED to the troller.

Turnung off the breaker protects the Trolling Motor from a sudden surge thru the charger caused by many ways. Lightning, Power surge etc. You should do the same for the starter battery too.

OK, I got it. For some reason I was picturing the breaker between the battery and the charger, not the battery and the TM.

Thanks!