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  1. #1
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    Exclamation Electrical/Wiring/Trolling Motors Useful Information

    There has been discussion in the past about the "light codes" on MinnKota battery chargers. Hope this helps.

    MK110, MK210, MK315, MK220, and MK330
    A GREEN power light is lit to indicate AC power is applied.
    A YELLOW light is lit for each bank to indicate the battery is charging.
    A GREEN light is lit for each bank to indicate the battery is fully charged and in maintenance mode.
    A RED light for each bank is lit if any of the following apply:
    A) No battery is connected to an output lead. This may also indicate a blown fuse in the fuse holder.
    B) The battery voltage is below 8.0 volts.
    C) The battery is connected reverse polarity.
    RED and GREEN lights are lit simultaneously for each bank if any of the following apply:
    A) The battery voltage is below 8.0 volts.
    B) A damaged temperature sensor on the output lead. The bank will not operate if this occurs.
    MK230, MK345, MK460, MK440
    A GREEN power light is lit to indicate AC power is applied.
    A YELLOW light is lit for each bank to indicate the battery is charging.
    A GREEN light is lit for each bank to indicate the battery is fully charged and in maintenance mode.
    A RED light for each bank is lit if any of the following apply:
    A) No battery is connected to an output lead. This may also indicate a blown fuse in the fuse holder.
    B) The battery is connected reverse polarity.
    RED and GREEN lights are lit simultaneously for each bank if any of the following apply:
    A) A short circuit.
    B) The battery voltage is below 8.0 volts.
    C) A damaged temperature sensor on the output lead. The bank will stay in maintenance mode if this
    occurs.
    MK "D" Chargers
    On the "D" chargers:
    Plugging in all lights come on monetarily while "reading" the batteries
    Yellow: Bulk charge mode til battery reaches 75% of charge
    Flashing Yellow: Absorption Mode, charging current tapers holding battery to 14.4V apx
    Flashing Green : Maintenance mode, voltage goes to 13.4V
    Green: Charger turns itself off after 24hrs and monitors battery
    When battery voltage drops below 12.6V, charger will turn back on
    Last edited by CatFan; 06-06-2021 at 12:58 PM.

  2. Electrical/Wiring/Trolling Motors Moderator CatFan's Avatar
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    #2

    Troubleshooting a gas or fuel guage

    You'll have 3 or 4 leads on your gauge and 2 on your sending unit.

    The sending unit has leads that should be labeled S and G for "Sending Unit" and "Ground" The ground should be black and the S might be pink.

    The gauge wires will be labeled S, I, G and maybe L. S and G are the same as the sending unit. I is the 12V from the ignition, and L is 12V from the lighting circuit for the bulb in the gauge if it has one.

    The first step is to verify that you have 12V between I and G on the back of your gauge when the key is on. If you don't, you have a problem outside the gauge/sending unit.

    If you have the 12V between I and G, then short the S lead to the G lead at the tank . Your gauge will go to full if it is good. If the gauge tests good, connect the voltmeter from S to G on the gauge or at the tank and move the sending unit. You should see voltage ranging from 0-8V or 0-12V as you move it.

    If you have 12V at the gauge, the gauge pegs when you short the leads and you don't get any voltage change when moving the sending unit, you most likely have a bad sending unit.
    Last edited by CatFan; 06-06-2021 at 12:57 PM.

  3. Member
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    #3

    Shipping a trolling motor, or other large package

    We have had several post/request about how to ship a large box such a trolling motor, Talon, Powerpole, etc. Stretch asked that this information be pinned to the top, making it easier to find. This is the way we do it, shipping several trolling motors per year.
    We use FedEx, either ground or home delivery, whichever is appropriate.
    You will need a box, Sporting goods stores are a good source for these. The dimensions should not exceed 129". That is calculated by adding twice the width, twice the depth, and the length together. Anything over this length will get you a "virtual weight" charge instead of charging for actual weight.
    Pack it to allow for stabilization inside the box. If you're shipping for repair, we don't need things like the mount or the prop. If you're mechanically inclined, you can take the footpedal with harness loose in the head of the trolling motor and ship either the footpedal with harness (to replace control boards, steering cables, or other footpedal repairs) or if a shaft/bearing change or repairs to the lower unit, you can ship the trolling motor without the footpedal/harness. If you not mechanically inclined, just ship the trolling motor with the footpedal still attached. Be sure and use something to "block" damage to the prop shaft.
    Measure and weigh the box
    Use FedEx.com to enter the shipping information and create your label. Attach the label to the box and mark out any previous shipping labels that may be on the box
    Take the box to a FedEx drop off location, NOT to a FedEx shipping store. A shipping store will charge you just to handle the box. At this point, you can even give it to a FedEx driver.
    Hope this helps someone.
    John
    Last edited by CatFan; 06-06-2021 at 01:02 PM.

  4. Member Bartman's Avatar
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    #4
    Here are some other dimensions that could be helpful. The 45" shaft uses the short mount and all other use the long mount.

    <br><br><img src="http://www.bbcboards.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=280031&amp;stc=1" attachmentid="280031" alt="" id="vbattach_280031" class="previewthumb"><img src="http://www.bbcboards.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=280032&amp;stc=1" attachmentid="280032" alt="" id="vbattach_280032" class="previewthumb"><img src="http://www.bbcboards.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=280033&amp;stc=1" attachmentid="280033" alt="" id="vbattach_280033" class="previewthumb"><img src="http://www.bbcboards.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=280034&amp;stc=1" attachmentid="280034" alt="" id="vbattach_280034" class="previewthumb">
    Attached Images Attached Images

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    #5

    24V Trolling Motor wiring diagram

    Last edited by CatFan; 06-06-2021 at 12:57 PM.

  6. Member
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    #6

    How to read Minn Kota serial numbers

    Starting in January of 2009, MinnKota serial numbers started in the below format:

    A / NNN / SS / NNNNNN

    This code is as follows
    A = the Alpha equilivant of the year ie: 2009 = J, 2010 = K, ..... 2016 = Q, 2017 = R, 2018 will be S
    NNN = the Julian date the unit was made on. A Julian calender, January 1 is 001 and December 31 (non leap year) is 365
    You can find Julian calenders on the web -- Google it
    SS = Unit type, MK is trolling motors, AI is battery chargers
    NNNNN = the actual serial number of the unit


    John

    Mod Edit: Note the serial number format changes in 2022. New format is listed in a later post in this thread.
    Last edited by CatFan; 01-20-2022 at 11:35 AM.

  7. Electrical/Wiring/Trolling Motors Moderator CatFan's Avatar
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    #7

    Exclamation Electrical/Wiring/Trolling Motors Useful Posts

    This thread is intended to be a collection of useful information about Trolling Motors, Wiring, Batteries, Charging and other general boat electrical issues.

    I'll update it as I come across things or as new information is posted. If you know of something that should be here or that needs to be edited or updated, PM me and I'll work on it.
    If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity,
    nothing else matters.​

  8. Electrical/Wiring/Trolling Motors Moderator CatFan's Avatar
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    #8
    This is a link to the thread for Mercury cranking batteries in the Mercury forum. I'm posting it here to make it easier for people to find it, and I'm posting as a link so we only have to edit one place when changes are made.

    "BATTERIES THAT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS"- Updated 04/21 (bbcboards.net)
    If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity,
    nothing else matters.​

  9. Electrical/Wiring/Trolling Motors Moderator CatFan's Avatar
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    #9
    Below is a link to Minn Kota’s Battery, Trolling Motor and Shallow Water Anchor rigging guide. It has info on thrust choice, wire and fuse/breaker sizing and battery wiring.

    https://minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com...-battery-guide
    Last edited by CatFan; 12-08-2023 at 06:43 PM.
    If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity,
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  10. Member
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    #10
    This is what you have for an Ultrex. The Fortrex shaft and motor below the gunnel is about the same for free space below the gunnel.
    Here is the shaft lengths and something for you to go by.:
    The head uses 1" of the shaft. the depth collar and steering module uses approx. 12.25" and the shaft is epoxied 1.50" into the motor housing. allow a min of 3" below the head so that the depth collar is not riding against the head of the troll motor. Reason for the 3" is to make sure that the motor rest on the motor mount rest pads and not of the end of the mount. Not having the motor rest on the motor rest pads will damage the side plates and cause the latch bar to break and not latch the motor when it is stored. I seen it happen numerous times.
    A 45" shaft is 48" form the top of the motor housing to the end of the shaft
    A 52" is 54" and a 60 " is 62"
    Doing a little math will give you the free space of the motor and the shaft below the gunnel of the boat.
    Example: 1(for the head) + 3(for the open space) + 3 (for the depth collar) + 9.25" (for the steering module) = 16.25" used. this means that a 48" shaft will have 31.75" from the Gunnel to the to the top of the motor housing.
    I know that on certain boats and area that you fish in a 45" is all you need. However if you fish choppy water then you need to look at a longer shaft motor. 52" or 60" If there is any doubt then go with the longer to be safe.
    If you are concerned that casting will cause you to hit the troll motor head then you will need to adjust you casting angle. If this offends some people then it is what it is.
    Hope this helps.

  11. Member
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    #11

    Electrical/Wiring/Trolling Motors Useful Information

    The new S/N format

    These serial numbers will be a 5 digit date, 1 letter for the product category, followed by 5 numbers. The 5 digit date code will be YYDDD.
    EXAMPLE 22001M12345 = MANUFACTURE DATE OF THE 1ST OF JANUARY 2022.
    These serial numbers will be a 5 digit date, 1 letter for the product category, followed by 5 numbers. The 5 digit date code will be YYDDD.
    EXAMPLE 22001M12345 = MANUFACTURE DATE OF THE 1ST OF JANUARY 2022.


    Attachment 477251
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  12. Electrical/Wiring/Trolling Motors Moderator CatFan's Avatar
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    #12
    How to reset an
    Ulterra that is partially deployed on the trailer.

    http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=899313&page=2

  13. Electrical/Wiring/Trolling Motors Moderator CatFan's Avatar
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    #13
    Garmin Force Thrust and Current-Draw Information

    You can refer to these tables to understand the relationship between the throttle level, output power, and current consumption of the motor. These values assume you are using an official Garmin® power propeller, in relatively calm water, with the motor deployed deeply enough not to ventilate, and with tolerances of ±7 N-m (5 lbf) and ±5 A.
    24.0 Vdc Power Source

    Throttle Level Thrust Current
    10% 25 N-m (6 lbf) 2 A
    20% 45 N-m (10 lbf) 3 A
    30% 70 N-m (16 lbf) 6 A
    40% 101 N-m (23 lbf) 9 A
    50% 140 N-m (31 lbf) 14 A
    60% 184 N-m (41 lbf) 21 A
    70% 233 N-m (52 lbf) 29 A
    80% 287 N-m (65 lbf) 40 A
    90% 345 N-m (78 lbf) 54 A
    100% 355 N-m (80 lbf) 57 A
    36.0 Vdc Power Source

    Throttle Level Thrust Current
    10% 21 N-m (5 lbf) 1 A
    20% 41 N-m (9 lbf) 2 A
    30% 69 N-m (16 lbf) 4 A
    40% 103 N-m (23 lbf) 6 A
    50% 144 N-m (32 lbf) 10 A
    60% 191 N-m (43 lbf) 15 A
    70% 246 N-m (55 lbf) 21 A
    80% 307 N-m (69 lbf) 29 A
    90% 375N-m (84 lbf) 39 A
    100% 445 N-m (100 lbf) 54 A
    If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity,
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