Trolling motor fuse ?

[misterbluesky]

I have a 36 lb. foot operated trolling motor on bow of my bass boat. Only used t/m a few times & it always burns up 30 amp fuse in a matter of minutes. A friend said that he does not use or see the need for fuses or circuit breakers. I was wondering if he is right, will it burn something up with no safegaurd, or do I have a problem I'm not aware of? Thanks for advice.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Trolling motor fuse ?

Without a fuse or other over-current protection, whatever is blowing your fuses may cause the wire to heat to the point of fire on your boat.<br /><br />EDIT: sorry ... had a bad dinner.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Trolling motor fuse ?

Wow... now I've heard it all...

 

[BassMan31]

Re: Trolling motor fuse ?

My boat shop told me that any tolling motor 40 lbs or less should use a 40amp fuse. I would recomend getting a push button resetable breaker. Should cost $10 or less.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Trolling motor fuse ?

Fuse or circuit breaker - absolutly needed<br /><br />What size wiring do you have to feed the motor? If it is too small the voltage delivered to the motor will be low. Running a motor with low voltage will cause it to draw extra current.<br /><br />Check the motor. It should have a current rating. If not, find the manufacturers web site and see if you can look it up. If that fails try to find another motor that is the same size and see what they use for a fuse.<br /><br />Make sure that not only is the wire rated for the current you are drawing but you have no more than 3% voltage drop. I have another thread in this forum about wire size and people have responded with links to tables you can use to figure out the right size of wire to use.<br /><br />.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Trolling motor fuse ?

Forgot to ask, not only what gauge wire are you using, but how long is the wire from the battery to the motor?

 

[nboater]

Re: Trolling motor fuse ?

Most new circuit breakers do not have buttons. Just bought a new one for our trolling motor for $8/50amp. Really a must to protect your motor and other electronics on your boat.