Trolling Motor cable/hook up help!!

[kingmontkid]

Okay, i know there are plenty of posts on here about extending TM cables. But I didn't really see anything comparable to what I want to do on my Coleman Crawdad. Please hear me out and advise if what I'm thinking is possible. I'm an electrical beginner....so bear with me.

The whole idea behind this is I'd like to reduce/trade weight in the stern. I sit back there (205lbs) and typically have a TM, 5hp gas motor, and battery back in the stern with me. Lot of weight. I just got a new MK Endura 55lb transom mount to hopefully eliminate using my gas motor (weight and space on my transom) and gas can. The lake I fish at primarily is a short jaunt, less than half a mile from the ramp to my spots. So for the TM, of course the cables are like 4 feet. So as to not void it's warranty (and because I barely know what I'm doing), I'm leaving them alone.

I got 10 feet of 8 gauge wire. I just put on ring lugs on one end of them.....crimped them down with several smacks of a 3lb mini sledge. Nice and tight, no wiggle, I'm happy thus far. I'll put another set on the other end. I'd like to put my battery as far to the front/bow as possible. So I will connect these 8 gauge wires to the battery and wingnut them down. For the other end, I'll route them through 1/2 in PVC under my plywood floor.

Here's where I get a little confused with hooking the wires up to the TM. I do not want to do any splicing. So, can I create a "homemade" bus bar? Say a scrap piece of treated pine, run a 2 in" stainless 1/4" bolt up from the bottom, counter sink it. With the bolt protruding from the wood, add a few washers, then the battery leads, then my trolling motor leads, followed by a washer then wingnut it down?

Again, please, I know I may be doing it the hard way here and unnecessary, but I am uncomfortable with splicing wires from a $250 TM that's brand new. Especially since I have little experience with electrical work. Please do let me know your thoughts.

 

[richg99]

I am no expert...but...as long as you use the correct length and size of wiring (see LINK below)...and your connection is equal in size and connectivity..you can extend your wires as far as you want.

But, remember, you have to keep going larger (lower gauge number) in your wire sizing...... the longer you go.

The MOST trouble I've had has been with the connectors corroding a year after installation. So, they have to be checked often.

https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/amps-wire-gauge-d_730.html

regards, R

 

[JMichael]

I don't see how extending your power leads could affect your warranty but I guess anything is possible these days with some mfgs. As far as making your buss bar, I would suggest you find a different method of constructing it. You want a non conductive material to attach the bar to. Since wood contains and absorbs moisture, it wouldn't be the best choice of materials. A thick chunk of plastic or rubber would be better suited to trying to build your own I think. You also wouldn't want your buss bar in an area that was going to get wet.

 

[Bob Landry]

I'm surprised that there are even any cables already attached to your TM, since the manufacturer has no way of knowing where their product is going to be installed, nor on what kind or size boat.

Your idea of the bolt protruding through a block and using a washer and nut will work. Blue Sea makes a device exactly like you are describing called a Power Post. I have used them many times doing customer installations. My preference is to use a butt/crimp connector for the size wire you are using and then covering that with a piece of heat shrink, the kind that has adhesive that melts when it gets hot. It will seal against moisture just fine. I would not use the hammer method for crimping. I paid over $200 for my crimpers, but everybody doesn't use their stuff commercially like I do, but you do need the type of crimp that puts a dimple in the lug or butt connector. There is one on the market for, I think, around $70-80 that you do strike with a hammer. I had one and did not care for it, although, it's suitable for 6-8ga wire. 4ga and larger battery cables are another matter. Once you decide how much cable you need, take your cable to any battery shop and have them do a suitable crimp for you. West Marine has an advisor on their website that lets you select the appropriate size wire/cable based on amperage and length of the run. Use it to make sure you have the right size wire for your TM. I don;t think you will void a warranty by adding the correct wire, but if you burm up a TM because too small wire caused the motor to draw too much current, that's a different matter. When in question about wire size, go up one size.

Don't forget the fuse.

 

[kingmontkid]

Thanks Bob and everyone...

The MK TM has 4 foot cables with 10 gauge wire.....since I'm looking to get about 8' cables, I elected to go up to 8 gauge wire. Guy at a local electric shop in town said I could stay at 10, but figured I'd go to 8. I did some looking but didn't really see any cheap crimpers. When I felt how stout those lugs were with a pair of pliers, I figured smacking it was my only option. Then it dawned on me, I'll check with the electric shop at work to see if they can help me out.

 

[RivRunR]

Here's a link to a Black Post
and a Red Post
and Battery Boots
which should give you everything except crimps and heat shrink (which you can also get there).

You may find them cheaper elsewhere.