another Minn Kota battery/wiring question

[Bushrider]

This topic has been covered, I know, but I have read through all the threads on this forum and don't quite have my answer. Actually my question is in 3 parts.
I have a /89 PROcraft which came with a 45 lb Motorguide trolling motor. That one is on a 3-prong plug,which plugs into the outlet at the bow of the boat. My cousin has sold me cheap a newer Minn Kota Maxxum 80 lb (I think).
1. The plug - the Minn Kota was wired into his boat. He disconected it for me, but it now has a red bundle and a black bundle of wiring. Can I get a plug put on that, and just plug it into my boat?
2. My boat is wired for 12V/24V, as is the Motor Guide. The MG has a switch on it, and will run on either setting. The boat is wired with 2 sets of wires, each to its own battery. Does that mean they are parallel, rather than in a series? Either way, can I set up to run them in a series? Would I just use one set of cables for this? I bought a strap for this purpose but haven't put it on.
3. I do not know the guage of my wiring for the electronics. It is about 16 ft. from the plug in at the bow to the batteries. I am moving to a much more powerful trolling motor, and I just bought new group 31 batteries, which are quite a bit bigger than the old batteries. My boat has fuses, rather than circuit breakers. What are the chances the wiring will be sufficient for the new load? Do I need to have a circuit breaker installed?
Basically I am trying to figure out how much work I need to do, before I take my old trolling motor off the boat. Hopefully I don't need to re-wire the whole system.

Thanks in advance for whatever advice anyone can offer.
David

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: another Minn Kota battery/wiring question

Well to tell the truth I got lost in all the reading above.
But from what I did read, get the Minn Kota plug, its about 15 bucks and wire that it. If you want the option to run either of the motors then put it beside the other one. Just make some short jumper wires from the old plug to the new one.
The Maxxum is 24 Volts Only. So dont try running it on 12.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: another Minn Kota battery/wiring question

Your batteries are not wired in parallel nor are they wired in series. The 12/24 selector switch makes either a 12 volt or 24 volt "series" connection. On some boats without the switch, a jumper is used inside the plug for that purpose. You said there are four wires (two from each battery going up front -- correct? If that is true and it is also true that you have only a three prong receptacle then there should also be a FOUR terminal receptacle.

You said there is a "bundle" of wires on the new motor. Exactly what does that mean??? How many wires and what color are they. The correct number is either three or four. Which is it? Does your boat have a panel that has a 12/24/Run/Charge switch on it. Only if it has that panel & switch would you be able to use a three terminal plug and receptacle.

Your description is lacking in detail and that's as far as I'm willing to go until you either post a diagram of the wiring or at least pictures of the front and back of the receptacle.

 

[Bushrider]

Re: another Minn Kota battery/wiring question

First of all, thanks for the quick reply.

Your batteries are not wired in parallel nor are they wired in series. The 12/24 selector switch makes either a 12 volt or 24 volt "series" connection. On some boats without the switch, a jumper is used inside the plug for that purpose.
I guess that is the case with my boat. There is no switch to select either 12V or 24V, just the "run/charge" switch.

You said there are four wires (two from each battery going up front -- correct? If that is true and it is also true that you have only a three prong receptacle then there should also be a FOUR terminal receptacle.
That is correct. At the back of the boat there are 2 wires for each battery, with rings to sit on the battery terminals. At the front there is a 3 prong recepticle.

You said there is a "bundle" of wires on the new motor. Exactly what does that mean??? How many wires and what color are they. The correct number is either three or four. Which is it?
Sorry, "bundle" is probably the wrong word. There is just the red and the black wire. But because it was wired into the previous boat (no plug) it is now exposed strands of copper wire,but just the 2 cables.

Does your boat have a panel that has a 12/24/Run/Charge switch on it. Only if it has that panel & switch would you be able to use a three terminal plug and receptacle.
Yes, that is correct.

Your description is lacking in detail and that's as far as I'm willing to go until you either post a diagram of the wiring or at least pictures of the front and back of the receptacle.
I haven't taken the recepticle out to see what the back looks like. I have a photo, but I'm not sure how to add it here. Copy and past didn't work.

Again, thanks,
David

 

[Bushrider]

Re: another Minn Kota battery/wiring question

But from what I did read, get the Minn Kota plug, its about 15 bucks and wire that it. That is what I am hoping for. My concern there was that the old wiring won't handle the bigger trolling motor.
If you want the option to run either of the motors then put it beside the other one. Just make some short jumper wires from the old plug to the new one. No, I am just going to replace the old one with the Minn Kota.
The Maxxum is 24 Volts Only. So dont try running it on 12.[/QUOTE] That is what I thought, but thanks.

David

 

[Silvertip]

Re: another Minn Kota battery/wiring question

OK -- the RUN/CHARGE switch is where the 24 volt series connection is made. The reason that switch is there is to allow you to charge both batteries through the trolling motor plug. You set the switch to CHARGE to do that. This connects the two ground leads and and the two positive leads from the batteries (parallels them). When you switch to RUN the parallel connection is broken and the series connection is made. No jumper is needed in the plug. All you need to do is buy the mating plug that matches the receptacle. Next, set the switch to RUN and then determine which two terminals have 24 volts on them. Or, remove the receptable and check the back side. Then match the red and black wires to the two terminals on the plug that match the two terminals on the receptacle that provide 24 volts. Go fishing.