Adding a fortress 24vlt 80lbs, to my tracker tournament and need some help or ideas on running new tm wire. Currently there is 8g wire and kota says need 6g for this tm. How do I get new wire from back to bow. Current wire is inside wire loom with additional wires but I believe they taped all together so I can't use old as fish. Has anyone ran new ideas appreciated. Not sure if I have to remove all the decking which im trying to avoid. Thanks in advance.
I just used the existing #8 for my Ultrex,,,,no issues.
Mike
2019 Ranger 520L w/ 250HO ETEC G2
2011 Tracker 175TXW w/ 75HO ETEC
I was hoping it could be used but wasn't sure. Thanks for info
Also, I replaced the circuit breaker and ditched the plug and hard wired it in.
Mike
2019 Ranger 520L w/ 250HO ETEC G2
2011 Tracker 175TXW w/ 75HO ETEC
Couldn't get wire to console from battery compartment. Haven't done it yet but I'm thinking the cup holder next to the cooler can be removed, fish wire from back, under charger and up to center rod locker, then out the other side. I'm not going to use the plug so it's moot for me. I'm pulling 4/6 and use the old 8 for a clean power electronics circuit.
You are making more work for yourself than necessary IMO. The #8 wire will be fine for a 24 volt trolling motor if that is what you have. I just took off a 24 volt minnkota and replaced it with a Ghost, boat came with #8 so I just used that, works fine no issues.
8 gauge is fine, I ran that same trolling motor on my Tracker for years with 8 gauge wire, never had a problem.
Me too Installed a 60 amp breaker also.Originally Posted by bassfisher444
I don't know if I would use a 60a breaker on that length of 8g. Looks like the Fortrex draws 56 amps MAX. For the length of wire you have a 50a breaker would be safe. 60 would be pushing it into the danger zone. Would you rather have your breaker pop to protect the wire or not pop and let the wire heat up and get crusty over time? Do what you want because I'm just an old 12v guy that happened to be heavy into car audio for 20 years so I know what I'm talking about when it comes to 12v and making sure wiring is safe. Even with a 50a breaker to protect the wire you have I doubt you'd ever pop it unless you run the trolling motor at maximum for more than just a short burst. If you have problems popping a safe 50a breaker on 8g wire THEN you can switch to 6g and a 60a breaker like what Minnkota recommends to begin with.
wire gauge chart for amperage - Yahoo Image Search Results
2023 Xpress H18 with 115 SHO and Powertech NRS4 21p
8" Bob's Action Jack
Garmin Echomap 12, 10, 9, and LVS34 networked
Ultrex
Trick Steps and Ramp N Clamp
Pulled by a 2016 single cab HEMI Ram
Treat others like you want to be treated when on the water EVEN WHEN IN A TOURNAMENT! No fish is worth having a confrontation because you cut someone off or came in on top of someone.
Which boat do you have? Several different tournament models are out there.
I have the tournament 17tx
I don’t know what year you have but some of the older ones are wired for 12 / 24 witch have 4 wires so I put too wires on each lug works just fine .
My 2012 Lund has a Fortrex 24v, 80lb. and the dealer installed 6 gauge wire with a 60 amp. circuit breaker, Marinco plug and receptacle and yes it draws 56 amps at full speed, all this is in the manual.
That's the correct way to go about it. I cringe when someone says to just put a 60a breaker on 20' of 8g wire. Sure it's fine for 99% of people who do it but I've seen wire on boats and trailers that has been literally burned to a crisp. On my Xpress it says there's 8g wire in there but I don't believe it. Maybe it's more compact because it's damn near solid core and I'm used to dealing with fine stranded wire like you'd see in welding cable. Either way, when my Ultrex goes up in smoke I'll probably pull 6g in there during the new trolling motor install since I'll probably stay 24v even though I'll be getting one of the new fancy brushless units that can do 36v if I wanted.
2023 Xpress H18 with 115 SHO and Powertech NRS4 21p
8" Bob's Action Jack
Garmin Echomap 12, 10, 9, and LVS34 networked
Ultrex
Trick Steps and Ramp N Clamp
Pulled by a 2016 single cab HEMI Ram
Treat others like you want to be treated when on the water EVEN WHEN IN A TOURNAMENT! No fish is worth having a confrontation because you cut someone off or came in on top of someone.
The dealer offered to install my trolling motor when I bought the boat from them, I brought him the Fortrex, circuit breaker, and Marinco plug/receptacle and I INSISTED for them to use 6 gauge (they said 8 gauge was fine) because the manual said to use 6 gauge.
Same here until I showed him the documentation from Garmin's website stating 6 gauge was required for the Force. Once he read that, they pulled the floor and ran new wire. I paid for the labor of course but I wanted it to be right. I'm too old to jump and swim for the shoreline at this point.
2023 Targa V-19 Combo
Mercury 200hp XS XL Four stroke
Garmin Force TM-36v Ionic Lithium Batteries
Best Speed to date: 51.2mph
BEST/WORST: Storage/ Compartment moisture
8g is fine. I've been running it for 3 years on my 24v ultrex. No issues.
2021 Tracker 190TXW
Mercury 115 PRO XS
Ultrex 80lb 52” iPilot Link
Bow Mount Humminbird Helix 10
Cockpit Mount Humminbird Helix 9
Mega 360
Mega Live Target Lock
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