36 volt Trolling motor plug and receptacle for question

[Gambler Bob]

This is the plug that has been on my 36 volt Motorguide 109 Tour Edition trolling motor for the last 15 years. I am replacing the old Motorguide 109 with a new Minnkota Ultrex Quest 36 volt trolling motor. Can I reuse this trolling motor plug on the new Minnkota Ultrex trolling motor?

The writing on the plug is difficult to see when you open the pictures. The writing says 60A 12-24V DC.

I am assuming that the writing means that this plug was designed for 12 and 24 volt trolling motors. On the other hand this plug has worked safely for over 15 years on my old 36 volt trolling motor.


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[Zone18]

I dont see why not. Unless you want to change it due to age. If you want to replace/upgrade MinnKota makes a nice option.

https://minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com...and-receptacle

[Gambler Bob]

I dont see why not. Unless you want to change it due to age. If you want to replace/upgrade MinnKota makes a nice option.

https://minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com...and-receptacle

I did see that one on Amazon also. I am assuming that the plug in the link from Amazon is some kind of off brand model. The Minnkota brand plug is listed for $150 retail at Bass Pro Shops, Scheels, etc. The one is the link is much cheaper at $65

The plugs do look identical except for the emblems.

Thank you.

[alli ss]

Id wire it straight. Dont want any questionable connections on todays electronics

[Mahomee]

I would lose the plug that is way out dated.

[Champ 2001]

I would lose the plug that is way out dated.

[Champ 2001]

Get yourself a Battery Tender plug!! A little pricey, but you can thank me later! I have had the type you have and when they melt it isn't pretty!

[Gambler Bob]

I would lose the plug that is way out dated.

Are most new boats hard wired now to the trolling motor? Is that what you mean by outdated? or that people still use trolling motor plugs and the style of plug that I had on the motorguide is outdated?

[justinp61]

You'll be fine, IIRC the Quest is brushless. If so it'll draw less amps than the MG it's replacing.

[Zone18]

I always hardwire my TMs also....one less connection to worry about.

[Mahomee]

Are most new boats hard wired now to the trolling motor? Is that what you mean by outdated? or that people still use trolling motor plugs and the style of plug that I had on the motorguide is outdated?

Yes, my 1984 Glastron had a plug, why they did them back in the day like that I dunno, I guess to unplug it while charging vs having a disconnect?

Newer boats have a junction block.

[alli ss]

They did it like that to have 12/24 and also to use the red plug to charge both batteries with one 12v charger before built in chargers

[Marc Marcantonio]

In the old days boats used plugs so they could be disconnected when charging. Plus the amps they would draw were not high.

Modern boats use circuit breakers back by the batteries, and the motors pull a lot of amps, so you don't want plug connections close to the motor, especially exposed to waves over the bow. Modern boats are hard wired often with a good connector under the bow plate, and with a circuit breaker back by the batteries that should be switched off as soon as you leave the water before charging.

The guys who fail to disconnect the circuit breaker before charging are the guys you see with trolling motor problems from fried circuits.

[catdude28]

The guys who fail to disconnect the circuit breaker before charging are the guys you see with trolling motor problems from fried circuits.

Correct Marc. The late John Jones often mentioned that here on this forum. But wait, because shortly you will hear from the crowd saying “but in 20 years I have never disconnected and have never had an issue”

[yam911]

What is the cause of a charger frying a circuit? Is it just the additional voltage?

[Gambler Bob]

In the old days boats used plugs so they could be disconnected when charging. Plus the amps they would draw were not high.

Modern boats use circuit breakers back by the batteries, and the motors pull a lot of amps, so you don't want plug connections close to the motor, especially exposed to waves over the bow. Modern boats are hard wired often with a good connector under the bow plate, and with a circuit breaker back by the batteries that should be switched off as soon as you leave the water before charging.

The guys who fail to disconnect the circuit breaker before charging are the guys you see with trolling motor problems from fried circuits.

Just to be clear I am not arguing with you. I do have a question. The old Motorguide 109 could be turned off on the foot pedal after use or before charging. Wouldn't that switch essentially do the same thing as the circuit breaker as far as protecting the trolling motor from frying during recharging? or does it not work that way?

The new trolling motor foot pedal also has a on off button/switch on it.

[5keepers2]

They did it like that to have 12/24 and also to use the red plug to charge both batteries with one 12v charger before built in chargers

This! You want a good heavy plug designed for 2 wire 36 volts at the plug! Plug should be good for max amp draw of you new TM!

[Marc Marcantonio]

Just to be clear I am not arguing with you. I do have a question. The old Motorguide 109 could be turned off on the foot pedal after use or before charging. Wouldn't that switch essentially do the same thing as the circuit breaker as far as protecting the trolling motor from frying during recharging? or does it not work that way?

The new trolling motor foot pedal also has a on off button/switch on it.

I can't speak to the adequacy of the switch on your foot pedal. I can say that having a circuit breaker just after the batteries protects the wiring and the trolling motor past it. Having a plug at the bow is one additional spot of resistance that can be avoided. And, as I said it is exposed to the elements (like when a wave comes over the bow, or when fishing in inclement weather).

Any voltage spike caused by a charger fault, or a battery shorting, can cause damage on the circuit. I once had a transformer style charger go out which fried my connection at the bow before I started hardwiring my trolling motors and using a circuit breaker back at the batteries.

[catdude28]

Just to be clear I am not arguing with you. I do have a question. The old Motorguide 109 could be turned off on the foot pedal after use or before charging. Wouldn't that switch essentially do the same thing as the circuit breaker as far as protecting the trolling motor from frying during recharging? or does it not work that way?

The new trolling motor foot pedal also has a on off button/switch on it.

The older MG trollers, like yours, were a rarity in that the switch on the pedal that you are referencing actually acted as a cut off, and disconnected the board from the battery. The older MK trollers also had a switch on the pedal for on/off, but, unlike your MG, did not disconnect the board from the battery, so unplugging or using a disconnect switch was still necessary.

[Gambler Bob]

The older MG trollers, like yours, were a rarity in that the switch on the pedal that you are referencing actually acted as a cut off, and disconnected the board from the battery. The older MK trollers also had a switch on the pedal for on/off, but, unlike your MG, did not disconnect the board from the battery, so unplugging or using a disconnect switch was still necessary.

Thank you for that information. I picked up a 60 amp Minnkota circuit breaker today for the install of the Ultrex Quest.