It's Here, HELP

[picksbigwagon]

Just received my new 24V Power drive with Auto Pilot, I have read the directions a couple times, they make it sound like wiping your nose to install, but here is what I am wondering:

1. Do I need to supply the wire to make the batteries go into series? It didn't come with one, so that makes it kind of crappy that I already have to buy parts.....

2. I want to put in the quick release plate, and I have to make everything level so the AP works correctly, so do I install the plate to the motor first to get everything level and then mount the plate to the boat?

3. Do I make sure the boat is on level footing before I install this motor?

4. My boat has been wired for a prior 24v system (I think since there are 4 wires in the battery area) and it has the plug in feature. Can I buy a new plug for my motor and cut the ends off of the wires that are on my motor to put the pulg on it?

any help with these would be greatly appreciated, I think I am going to have to remove the anchor system from the front of my boat to install this trolling motor so it doesn't hang over the edege when it stored.

[Hookmaster]

1. When I bought mine it came with one but it was a high gauge (small diameter) wire so I made my own anyway with low gauge (large diamter) wire.

2 and 3. My plate has two parts. One half attaches to the boat and the other half to the motor. I attached the half that goes to the boat and made sure that was level. I estimated that the boat rides level in the water and adjusted my winch stand so the boat was level on thr trailer. In my case I don't think I used any shims. The only time it wanders is in large waves.

4. Yes, just make sure the new plug is for the receptacle that is on your boat.

[Down Deep]

My boat was pre-wired for a 24 V system. I had to replace my original bow mount last year. The1999 model had four power wires and the new Minnkota had two - a red and a black I bought a 3 wire plug from my dealer that had a red black and orange leads. He told me to wire the red to the orange and the black to the black and cap the red. I did that and it worked. I'm no expert so check it out with your dealer.

By the way MinnKota should have furnished you a jumper. All 3 24 volt motors I have purchased came with one.

[marine_man]

I don't know anything about Minnkota providing the jumper wire.

What everyone here has offered for information is correct, as long as you have two sets of wires in your battery compartment that run up to the front trolling motor plug. And, if your trolling motor has the internal jumper in the plug, which should be indicated by it having a 3 wire plug - a red, black and orange. Wire it just like Down Deep said and you should be in good shape. If you're uncertain, connect both sets of wires to the batteries and use a multimeter to read the voltage across the black and orange wires when the plug is plugged in.

Also, in regard to making sure the plate is level... go with Down Deep's procedure... it should get you close enough.

marine_man