24V Battery wiring for TM

[TNDiver]

ok so i am a little confused about the wires going from my TM receptacle to my two batteries.  I had two old batteries when I bought the boat, one on each side of the boat, stored under the bench seats on each side.  I haven't gotten new batteries and rested it out yet, because I am worried I am going to ruin something.

The first picture shows a red, orange and black wire coming from the receptacle for the TM plug (Black and blue tape on it).  I have one red and black wire going to one battery on one side of the boat and then the orange and another black wire going to the battery on the other side of the boat.  This doesn't seem like it gives me 24v of power.

The second photo shows the hook ups to the battery (battery removed) with the red and back wire.  There is also a wire with a fuse.  I assume that is to protect the battery, but I am guessing that is not enough to protect the TM.   I also have a 50 Amp circuit breaker that I bought but haven't installed as now I am confused as to where to place it if the batteries are not wired serially or do I need two circuit breakers?

Any insight would be appreciated.   This is on a Starcraft Deck boat

[TNDiver]

Nevermind, I just realized they had a battery 1 & 2 switch so they had two separate 12v batteries they could flip to for the trolling motor

[Princeton_Man]

In the back, you'll need to wire the batteries in series using a jumper from a negative post onone battery to a positive post of the other.


It's difficult to tell what the wire gauge is but it appears too small for a 50amp circuit. If it's over 15', Minn Kota says it should be 6AWG. If you're fighting wind or current or running the TM on higher speed, the 6 gauge wire will get hot enough to melt the insulation. I highly recommend 2/0 which is more like the size of the battery cables in your SUV. 6 gauge wire is what Minn Kota runs from the pedal to your plug.

It's hard to tell what the blue wire is but my guess is that maybe a voltage meter or a fish finder.  If it's a fish finder, move it to the starting battery.

[TNDiver]

MK recommends a 60 amp circuit breaker and the book says 8 AWG up to 20 feet then recommend 6 gauge.  The Max amp draw for my 80 lb 24v TM is 56, according to the book.  I am going to have to buy another battery box and I am going to keep them both under 1 seat and not spread out on each side of the boat.

[Princeton_Man]

MK recommends a 60 amp circuit breaker and the book says 8 AWG up to 20 feet then recommend 6 gauge.  The Max amp draw for my 80 lb 24v TM is 56, according to the book.  I am going to have to buy another battery box and I am going to keep them both under 1 seat and not spread out on each side of the boat.

I forgot that the 80 does require up to 60 amps. I thought Minn Kota's spec for 8 AWG was up to 15'. Either way that's very long distance for such a small wire to have 60 amps drawn through it. Even my 2/0 cables will get will get quite warm under heavy load like fighting high wind or weeds.