wiring up a trolling motor

[thompson102205]

I have inherited a jon boat from my wife's grandfather and am wanting to put a trolling motor on it. it is a 14ft boat with a 9.9 evinrude on it. 3 questions if i may.

1) how big of a trolling motor would i need? bow mount or stern mount? (I want to stick to 12v if possible)

2) how would this need to be wired up? (wire size, inline fuse or not, etc.)

3) I am going to need to put a stern light on the boat (for fishing after dark by law). How would i go about this? (can it be hooked to the same battery as the trolling motor and how)

I really only want to stick to one battery.

I have never wired a boat before so any and all help (and diagrams if possible) is appreciated.

scott

 

[Silvertip]

Re: wiring up a trolling motor

If you need a stern light you also need a Red/Green bow light as well. As for trolling motors the sky is the limit. Only you can determine whether you want a bow mount or stern mount. A 30 -35# motor will be fine. This is a tiller steered boat so you would not likely want a bow mount motor unless it was a wireless or corded electric steer model. If you used a cable steer you would need to leave the back of the boat, crawl over whoever is with you to get to the front. to operate the motor.

You only need one deep cycle battery (the largest capacity you have room and budget for). There are only two wires from the trolling motor. Red is +12 volts and connects to the POSITIVE terminal on the battery through a fuse or circuit breaker (40 amp). 8 gauge wire is heavy enough for that motor. My suggestion is to use a transom mount motor. They have long enough wires that you don't need extra wire. With the battery in back everything is close. Black is ground and connects to the NEGATIVE terminal on the battery. For lights, you need a three position (ON-OFF-ON) switch. At anchor at night only the stern light is supposed to be on. That signals other boats you are at anchor. If the boat is moving, engine on or not, the bow light and stern light must be lit. Here's a diagram how to wire that system. You can buy the switch and a garden variety diode at Radio Shack.

If you don't want to fool with the diode, buy a more expensive switch like this one and wire the lights accordingly.

 

[thompson102205]

Re: wiring up a trolling motor

Hey thanks for the help. actually according to Indiana law, since the motor is under 15hp, i only have to have the 360degree stern light.

what size wire should i use for the lighting?

scott

 

[bchoate]

Re: wiring up a trolling motor

As for your lighting 16 ga should be fine.

 

[rndn]

Re: wiring up a trolling motor

Depending on how much night fishing you plan to do, you can also get one of the battery versions of stern lights. The get several hours out of 2 D-cell batteries, but not worth it if you plan to night fish often.

 

[thompson102205]

Re: wiring up a trolling motor

thanks for all of your help!!