Wiring for a 50lb Minn Kota

[plaztix]

Was just wondering if anyone can help.

Just bought a 50lb Minn Kota transom mount and want to know that the gear i am about to buy is going to do the job.

I only plan on using it for half day fishing trips once a month or so, so got an 85Ah sealed deep cycle battery and a Ctec charger.

I want to be able to wire the battery up so i can plug the motor in for transom mounting and also have the option for mounting on a custom bracket on the bow. The battery will be mounted underneath the floor as will most of the wiring.

I was thinking of running the +ive from the battery through a circuit breaker (is this necessary and if so what size, 50 amp? is this enough?) and then running the cable into a 2 way switch (for bow or stern, is this necessary) from the switch run the 2 cables to appropriate locations and connect them into anderson clips (i assume 50 amp will do) and doing the same with the -ive minus the circuit breaker and switch.


What size cable should i use?

Should i worry about circuit breakers and switches or just run the wiring straight from the battery to opposing ends of the boat?

Seem to be getting mixed opinions from auto electrical shops and they couldn't help with how much the motor might draw. I've heard about 50amps at full throttle, is this correct?

Any help is much appreciated, thanks in advance.

[chas2]

Hi,

Having just wired in my 55lb bow mount minn kota last week this is what i would do in your postion.

The motor will draw up to 45 amps on full power.. so any fuses/circuit breakers/cable needs to be able to handle at least that.

For the option of running motor at front or back i would run two sets of cables (+ and -) from battery one to front and one to back. I would protect the + of each with either a 50amp fuse (that is what used) or 50 amp circiut breaker. Choice is yours. Place the fuse/breaker as close to battery as possible.

Terminate the ends with Anderson plugs then you can easily swap motor from front to back etc.

I would not include any switches etc as firstly involves more cost but also you would need a very heavy duty switch to handle the current or run it via a relay.

Let us know what you decide

Charles

[plaztix]

Thanks Charles.

Did you use 50 amp anderson plugs?

And what sort of cable did you use? Is 8 B+S suitable?

[driveon]

Hi plaztix, with that sort of current load you need to run at least 6B&S cable ( 13.5mm2 ), the 8B&S ( 7.9mm2 ) is too thin and would cause a fair bit of voltage drop, meaning your motor would have to work harder.

50 amp Anderson plugs will be fine and the Anderson plug terminals can take up to 16mm2 cable without having to trim the copper back to fit.

Run both positive and negative and run the cable in the most direct route between the battery and the motor, the shorter the cable the less voltage drop there will be.

The 50 amp circuit breaker is also correct and it should be fitted on the positive cable, as close as practical, to the battery’s positive terminal.

Just out of curiosity, how long do you think the cable run will be.

Cheers.

[plaztix]

Cheers driveon.

From the battery to the anderson plug at the bow about 1.5m and from the battery to the anderson plug on the stern about 1.8m. I've then got the 1m of cable that comes off the motor.

I compared the cable that comes standard on the motor to some 8B+S and it's exactly the same. I was thinking that it might be safe to go one size up as you said but 6B+S is hard to find.

Anyone know where to get it?

[driveon]

Hi again plaztix, although similar in size, 6B&S is different to 6B+S.

B&B stands for Brown & Sharpe and is identical to AWG or G whereas B+S stands for Battery and Starter cable.

The reason I pointed out the difference is that I think you will find it easier to get marine grade or tinned 6B&S.

If you have a problem getting the marine cable, post here and I’ll see if I can find a supplier for you.

Cheers

[plaztix]

Hey Driveon,

I have tried to find 6B&S with no luck already. All suppliers i have been to go from 8B&S to 2B&S but 2B&S is massive and wont go into the anderson plug connectors.

If you know of someone who would stock 6B&S in tinned copper, i'd love any help you can give me.

Cheers mate.

Mat

[driveon]

Hi again plaztix, let me know what area you are in and I’ll check my cable wholesaler and and see where the closest retailer of marine cable is to you.

Cheers.

[Silent]

Hey PLAXTIX,

Do you mind to answer my question about 50lb Minn Kota transom mount.

I'm thinking to get one for myself soon, once value information will assist my decision to purchase right one.

I checked few internet for reccomendation size for the boat, just ant know how big is your boat? and they stated 50lb for max. 6.4m boat and sounds not making sense!

I noticed 3 type model for transom mount are Riptide, maxxum & endura.
Which one is your?

Sorry can't help your questions regarding cable & battery, I'm useless with electronic things. But I'm watching your thread for wiring in the right way.

Thanks in advance

[plaztix]

Thanks for your help driveon.

In the end i went to the local welding supplies shop and am getting them to supply 16mm2 (bit bigger than 6B&S) cable cut to length with lugs sleeved in waterproof heat shrink (saves me the hassle). I'm running the positive through a 60amp circuit breaker and then into a 4 pole buss bar. from the buss bar one cable to the bow one to the stern into anderson plugs. The negative just runs straight from the battery to both ends.

Silent - My boats a 4.15 Sea Jay SP and the motor is a riptide with a 42 inch shaft, which is suitable for saltwater, the endura is fresh only and i'm not real sure what the go is with the maxxum?? .
Although the recommended max. size boat for a 50lb is 6.4m i dont think i would stretch it that far. If your under 4.5m (tinnie), i think a 50lb is fine as long as you dont plan on using it to get you round all day. I am mainly using it to hold ground around structure and quietly stalking flatties in the shallows.

I am also in the process of making a bracket up front so i can use it as a bow mount when required.

I got mine from Stones Corner Marine who did a great deal. Almost 100 bucks cheaper than anywhere else at $550. To go up to the next size (55lb) is another $300 odd, not worth it in my opinion.

[Sean]

Hey PLAXTIX,

Do you mind to answer my question about 50lb Minn Kota transom mount.

I'm thinking to get one for myself soon, once value information will assist my decision to purchase right one.

I checked few internet for reccomendation size for the boat, just ant know how big is your boat? and they stated 50lb for max. 6.4m boat and sounds not making sense!

I noticed 3 type model for transom mount are Riptide, maxxum & endura.
Which one is your?

Sorry can't help your questions regarding cable & battery, I'm useless with electronic things. But I'm watching your thread for wiring in the right way.

Thanks in advance

50lb for a 6.4m boat.......no way!!! i have a 40lb on a car topper punt with a few mods and I would like more thrust. if you got into a wind, the 50lb on a 6.4 wouldn't even push it. Sean

[plaztix]

Sean, Your right it wouldn't be anywhere near enough, Silent is just quoting what Minn kota say in the brochure/website.

Whats even more worrying is that Minn kota actually advise certain shops that 8B&S cable is suitable for running any minn kota motor regardless what the length of cable??????? How do you like your boat medium well or well done?

But yeah, 50lb for 6.4, nuh.

[the gecko]

Hi Silent, I ran a 30lb endura on my old 4.1 for a while. Its was enough under most conditions. The problem with the transom mount motors is just that when the current and wind punches you about, the boat will spin 180 degrees, and the rod and line gets twisted up.

I moved to a bow mount, and wouldnt look back.

cheers
Andrew

[Silent]

50lb for a 6.4m boat.......no way!!! i have a 40lb on a car topper punt with a few mods and I would like more thrust. if you got into a wind, the 50lb on a 6.4 wouldn't even push it. Sean

Sean, Your right it wouldn't be anywhere near enough, Silent is just quoting what Minn kota say in the brochure/website.

Whats even more worrying is that Minn kota actually advise certain shops that 8B&S cable is suitable for running any minn kota motor regardless what the length of cable??????? How do you like your boat medium well or well done?

But yeah, 50lb for 6.4, nuh.

Yeh, I agreed with your respond and have a look on this table

http://www.leisure-marine.com.au/acc.../swtransmt.asp

I boat 3.9m haines hunter seawasp and 50lb is the GO! so I'm starting shopping around for best deal

Psst Gecko I love to get bow mount and it'll on be my next upgrade boat

[plaztix]

Gecko, I would have loved a bow mount, but there around 3 times the money i spent. Cant justify it at the moment.

I'm going make and fit a bracket to the bow so it can be used as a bow mount when its required, will do the job for now.