Trolling Motor Installation?'s

[bigpike]

Hi All,
I just purchased a Powerdrive 55lb trolling motor. Any special tips for installation? I plan on putting the battery in the back and running cables up to the front. I did buy an automatically reseting switch to put in the place of a fuse I assume? Should I still put this directly on the battery? or closer to the motor? As far as mounting to the boat, I am assumint that the goal is to try and make it level when the boat is in the water? Never done this before so any and all tips would be appreciated!

[92python]

I'm not sure what the front of your boat looks like but you may want to consider a mounting bracket so you can take the motor on and off easily.

Another thing to consider is adding some kind of support for the head (top) of the motor. Something that will keep it in place in rough water. RAM makes a mount. You could look at that design and come up with something.

Keep in mind the weight of the motor bouncing around on the bow of your boat can put a strain on the area where it is mounted. It should be a sturdy spot.

Before mounting put the motor in both the up and down position on the front of your boat to get a good idea of where it makes the most sense to mount it. Raise and lower it. You don't want the head sticking out over the edge much. Think about where the bow mounted depth finder works best.

Most electronics I have installed want the fuse as close to the power source as possible.

Good luck.

[Surface Tension]

92python has some good points. I'll add don't skimp on the size wire you use. Improper gage wire will result in unacceptable voltage lose between the battery and the trolling motor. Use 4-6 gage wire.

[bigpike]

Thanks.... I did get the quick connect plate for the mounting. I didn't happen to think about the possibility of the motor sliding up and down...not to keen on the plastic piece that is slides down onto for steering, so i do see what you mean.

[Chris Haley]

Also, mount it so when not deployed it is on the back side of the person sitting in the front of the boat. I've seen guy's back trolling and the guy in front having to fish over the trolling motor.

[MuleSkinner]

If you are going to control the trolling motor from the console (because of depthfinder location), sometimes it can be hard to see which way it is pointing, if a passenger is sitting in the front. Just another consideration for mounting location.