Easy way to shut power off to bow trolling motor

[joetheis]

I have a new (well, new to me) 1991 Grumman SF 19 foot fishing boat.
I just bolted on a bow trolling motor. It's a former transom mounted Minn Kota 55# that I took the transom mount off and got a bow mount. (so it has the tiller handle as well as the speed controls on the handle-keep this in mind!
The boat has the existing plug in the bow side plate for the motor, as well as a 2 battery switch in the transom next to the 2 batteries.
I got to wondering IF there was someway I could wire in a on/off switch next to the plug in the bow?
My fear is the handle gets twisted somehow and the motor is ON, but the prop is held in place (at the storage position) and I cook the motor.
Last fall when I did this, I'd just unplug the motor, but the plug is gonna get ruined this way me thinks.
I CAN add a switch and a relay, but then there is more (the relay, switch), things to get wet and ruined.
A BIG battery switch is not a option, (looks crappy bolted onto the bow side plate where the switch is).
A key switch that can handle the amps?? a heavy duty switch??
I've look but found only switchs that can take like 20 amps. Too light??
How many amps does a trolling motor on HIGH draw
Joe
I gotta learn to leave things well enough alone! But, Hey! That's not me!!

 

[NYBo]

KISS (Keep it simple, sir!) Just unplug it. You can do that hundreds of times without damage.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

I agree with NYBo. I've been unplugging them for years and haven't worn a plug out yet.

 

[roscoe]

Put a disconnect switch on/in/or next to the battery box, out of site.

 

[fishrdan]

roscoe has a good idea, use a battery disconnect switch, they are small, can be hidden behind a panel and handle a bunch of current. Though, as the other s said, I would just use the plug, that's what I do.

The battery(s) should have breaker(s) on them for safety reasons, and that there just may work to save your trolling motor also, if the TM gets turned on with the prop stalled. That 55# TM draws somewhere around 55amps total current "at stall speed", so if you use a 50 amp breaker, it "should" pop the breaker before damaging the TM. I have 50 amp breakers on the batts for my 55# TM, and have never blown a breaker, even with going WOT on the TM for 10 minutes covering water. Theoretically, if the prop stalled and the motor started drawing 55 amps (over 50), the breaker would pop. Only use manual reset breakers.

 

[Silvertip]

Even if you did damage the plug or receptacle over time, these are not budget busters by any means and a snap to replace. They are pretty robust parts and I cannot envision ever wearing one out whereas adding extra switches does introduce another point of failure.

 

[gm280]

Somehow I think you would know IF the trolling motor was accidently turned on and stuck against anything in the stored position fixture. If you really are that worried, you could always install a nice little LED in the trolling motor head unit to let you see when it is turned on... JMHO!

 

[Grub54891]

No Title

Install a battery disconnect switch like this. You turn it off and remove the key.