Cable Size for Trolling Motor Extension

[LoneRanger]

Hey guys,

I have a 55 pound Minn Kota Maxximizer trolling motor and it is mounted in the rear, but I want to mount my battery up front. What gauge of wire do I need to run? I just didn't want to spend the $20 on a Minn Kota brand extension cable if I can make my own.

Also, what is the best way to hook up my other electronics such as my depth finder to that line that I run for the trolling motor? (Or should I run a separate line?)

Any help is much appreciated,

LoneRanger

[john.wells]

for the money, 20 bucks isn't that much, and I think if you were to get all the cable and connectors of the proper gauge and type, you might wind up spending about the same or even more. As far as running your depth finder, you will more than likely get interference when the trolling motor is running if you splice into the cable. Your best option is to use a different battery for the electronics, second best is running a separate harness from the battery. As far as a batteries for the electronics, if you have a gel cell for a Vexilar or similar unit that you use for ice fishing, it would work great, plenty of power for most of your electronics, (but would not recommend for runnning a radio), lightweight, and small. If you don't have one, they are only about 20 bucks and come with a charger (buy 2). Hope this helps. By the way, if you intend to build your own harness for the motor, just compare what the Minnkota size is. I personally wouldn't go any smaller than 4 gauge, but you might be able to get away with 6 gauge. 55 pounds of thrust is fairly beefy, and will require good power flow.

[UMDSportsman]

I need to rig up my new trolling motor this spring also. In the motorguide owners manual they say to use 6 guage wire. So six would be the minimum, 4 would probably be better.

[sparcebag]

My Minkota has 8GA wire on motor,I ran 6GA from rear to front,works fine and I think 8 would also,6GA no warming of wire with constant use,which leads me to believe 8 would work.

[Northlander]

I believe when I put my new Minkota in my system was 8 guage as well.

[marine_man]

If you're going to run the wires all the way from the front of the boat to the back the conclusion that was reached on this forum last year was 4 ga was going to be the best bet. 6 ga would work, but 4 was going to be a little bit better.

marine_man

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

 Originally Posted By: LoneRanger

I just didn't want to spend the $20 on a Minn Kota brand extension cable if I can make my own.

I didn't know they sold this. Where did you see it? I want to replace my Alumacraft factory wiring in the bow with something beefier also.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I found this on the Minn Kota HSOforum. Is this what you are talking about? If it is, I believe these are for charging the battery, not running the motor.

Charger Output Extension Cables

(MK-EC-6, MK-EC-15)

* These extension cables are ideal when standard charger cables will not reach bow, center or transom battery compartments

* Features WAGO® Wall-Nut™ quick connectors (UL listed), and fused (30 amp) positive and negative leads

* Available in 6' (MK-EC-6) or 15' (MK-EC-15) lengths

[LoneRanger]

Yeah, that is what I found. Looks like I have to build my own anyway. Thanks for pointing that out.