Stupid Question re Trolling Motor Bow Plugs

[Tar Heel]

So I ordered some plugs for my e-wire from 24 volts (2x12) to the trolling motor. The plugs look to take three wires, and I only have two? I have the batteries grounded, and an in-line circuit breaker. What am I missing here? I have never wired a trolling motor other than last year, when I just jerry rigged the motor's wires to the batteries. I just want to be able to unplug the T motor w/o having to use those cumbersome connectors every time I take the motor off.

[pitchnboy]

just ignore that third wire and you will be ok. sounds like you have it hooked up right. try getting some connecters that can connect and re-connect when you need to take it off and on, good luck.

pitch

[WetBait]

Originally Posted by Tar Heel

So I ordered some plugs for my e-wire from 24 volts (2x12) to the trolling motor. The plugs look to take three wires, and I only have two? I have the batteries grounded, and an in-line circuit breaker. What am I missing here? I have never wired a trolling motor other than last year, when I just jerry rigged the motor's wires to the batteries. I just want to be able to unplug the T motor w/o having to use those cumbersome connectors every time I take the motor off.

Most of the plugs I've seen are the twist lock plugs rated for 30A at 125V. In this configuration you'd have 3 wires just like a standard 110 outlet - hot, neutral and ground. For a boat setup, you loose the ground and just have + and -.

I have a 36v trolling motor setup and have mine rigged so the - is on the ground pin and the hot pins are 36v and 24v. This gives me the option of 36v or 24v trolling motors.

- Ray

[Tar Heel]

Thanks. Just ignore it. That's what I was hoping. When I said "plug" I probably should have said "connector." Now it's time to get some warmer weather so that dang River will warm up!!!

[Hunt'nFish]

Dave, you CAN ignore the 3rd wire.......OR, you could make one the GND on bank one, the second for the *** bank one (12v), and 3rd for the *** on bank 2 (24v). That way you have both 24v AND 12v available at the socket. Then you have 12v available for the spotlight and waterfowl work.
That's what I'd do.

I'd also cut in a waterproof cigarette socket as well. (handy for spotlights or a little bowmounted Depthfinder. If you already have a Lowrance unit on the console, you can tie in the bow DF to the same NEMA2000 cable and avoid having to mount another transducer. this makes the bow DF act as a aux monitor for the main DF unit on the console.
Hunt'nFish

[Tar Heel]

H&F, that's why they give you the third as an option? That sounds like a great idea, but I have taken the 2x 12 v out of the boat for hunting in the past, and just ran the spot light off the cranking battery w/o trouble. The boat came w/ new wiring (thanks be to God) and the seller did a nice job of wiring to the lighter socket, transducer.... before selling the boat. Since I ran the ground right off the battery, I'll probaly just go w/ what I have for now. As you know, when that thing is full of deeks, guys, dogs, I-K, guns... it is a full load, and it's nice to shed the extra weight from the trolling motor batteries.
Thanks again everyone, for answering my dumb Q's. Wasn't sure if I should post this on the boat stuff forum, but it seemed more of a bass boat issue.
It's almost time to wet a line!

[Hunt'nFish]

Yeah, thats one reason.
Another is some guys like to use the 3rd prong on the socket for a charger wire connected to the truck's alternator so it charges going down the road.

And, what if you have another trolling motor on another boat that's 12V?? Nice to be able to use the other motor as a backup, even if it's only a 12V motor. If you use Minn-Kota QD plates on both boats it's easy to swap motors.....if the correct voltage is already wired up in advance. Beats wiring in seperate sockets.

Lots of reasons for 3 prong plugs.
Hunt'nFish

[Tar Heel]

So you could run a charge of your car battery while in transit? Never thought of that. That could be very useful on a road trip. Glad I didn't go to the boat/equip. forum!

[Hunt'nFish]

Yeah Dave, those systems are popular with the Tourny guys and RV'ers.
The name "Gorilla System" comes to mind, but I think you could build a decent system yourself using battery isolators. Much like they do on trucks w/ dual batteries.
Hunt'nFish

[Tar Heel]

Alright, were gonna get on it tonight,and when it breaks 50 hit the water.

[Hunt'nFish]

Ah...Dave...the Willey HAS broke 50F.
Hunt'nFish

PS: Speaking of which I should be out there, huh?
I have turkeys on the brain right now.