Emergency Jump Start Tip....

[JWB475]

Here is a great idea (I think) - I have an Alumacraft TP185 Tiller with a 90 Honda on it. It is wired for bow and transom trolling motors.

My dad was out three nights in a row with the interior and navigational lights on, mainly using the transom trolling motor - without running the big engine very much.

Well that last night the big motor would not start as the starter battery was dead. It is a 90 horse, so pull starting it with that emergency rope was not going to happen, especially in the middle of the night. So he had to wrestle one of the trolling motor batteries out from under the rod locker and haul it to the back of the boat, and hook it up to get the engine started.

So, for the next time this happens (there is always a next time)... He crafted a nice emergency jump starter for the boat. He picked up another Marinco trolling motor plug-in, and wired two jumper cables to it. Now all we have to do is unplug the transom trolling motor, and plug the jump start plug into the outlet - and connect the jumper cables to the starting battery....

It is a heck of alot easier than taking all the rods out of the rod locker, and unhooking and hauling one of the trollign motor batteries to the back of the boat. Especially at night, when getting eaten alive by mosquito's...

Of course - the best solution would be to charge the starter battery, or to not run it dead in the first place, but what fun would that be...

[Moose-Hunter]

Heck of an idea!!

Just remember that "stock" trolling motor wiring (cable gauge) and/or connector may not be up to the task of starting the main power plant. A simple wiring upgrade is easy enough and well worth if for the safety factor. As far as the connector... I've only had to use my jump start rig a couple times and the stock connector has worked fine. Just don't crank the big motor too long at any one time to keep from possibly melting the plug.

Great tip!! Thanks for sharing!!

[widetrack]

A EFI 2 stroke will pull over with the manual rope. I pull started my 175 a couple of times in a dead battery situation. Started up no problem. Turn the key on, one pull, and go.

Sounds like a good system you have for backup though.

[Fisher Dave]

The idea is very good.. but I would pay close attention to what Moose Hunter said. Dont turn that big motor long with the jumper. The trolling motor plugs are standard with 10 guage wire as far as I know.. havent seen any heavier... that motor takes some amperage to crank.

It might be just as easy to keep a set of long automotive jumpers in the boat for emergency use.. and it will have much less impact on your wiring... never know when the truck wont start at the access and you will need them.

[klbowe]

Sounds like a good idea however I am not sure what if any effect doing this could have on your onboard charger. While you are not pulling current through the charger it is still in circut with the trolling motor battery / batteries.

[delmuts]

i've always carried a set of jumpers in the boat . it has saved my trip twice.

[Northlander]

A set of jumper cables is the answer. Just make sure they are long enough to reach from one battery to the starter battery of course. I always do this when Im in Canada or a long ways away from home.

[Ufatz]

Another quick thought: I carry one of those "hot shot" packs with me stowed out of the way in the boat. As long as it has been charged up fully it will hold enough juice to start your motor easily.

And "amen" to what others said about the starting voltage load you put on those trolling motor leads.

[Tripleplay]

A few years ago on Mille Lacs I got waved down by a big Pro-V that was smoking up a storm. Sure enough, starting battery was dead at the launch and they just plain traded out the trolling motor battery and ran the boat. Cooked it all really good in back!

I got to pull that big boat back to the launch with my 16' Predator with a Merc Classic 50 (42hp) thru a good chop and rollers. By the time we were done, I had to ask them to trailer my boat over to where I launched from since I was too low on gas to make it back. Also, I was soaked from the chop splashing up from the drag on my boat pulling a bigger boat. I learned a lesson the easy way by not having the problem and I honestly would have probably made the same mistake they made from not understanding the draws on the starting battery versus the capabilities of the deep cell, trolling battery.