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Section 3 - Product Installation, Wiring, and Battery Information
Recommended Practice and Procedures
IMPORTANT: Unplug the trolling motor after each use and when charging the battery.
•
Do not use the main engine battery to power the trolling motor.
•
Ensure that the batteries are enclosed within a battery box to prevent accidental shorting of the battery terminals.
•
Route the trolling motor wires on the opposite side of the boat from other boat wiring.
•
Connect boat accessories directly to the main engine battery.
•
Do not charge the trolling motor batteries while the trolling motor is in the deployed (down) position.
Battery Recommendations
•
Use 12‑volt, deep cycle marine batteries. The number of batteries required varies according to the model of your trolling
motor. Refer to Battery Connection.
•
As a general rule, deep cycle batteries with a higher amp‑hour rating or reserve capacity rating will provide longer run
times and better performance.
•
Install a manual reset circuit breaker in line with the trolling motor positive leads within 180 cm (72 in.) of the batteries.
These can be purchased from your local MotorGuide retailer or from www.motorguide.com.
•
Do not extend the included 10‑gauge battery cables more than 1.8 m (6 ft) for a total of 3 m (10 ft). If longer battery cables
are required, MotorGuide offers accessory 13 mm (6‑gauge) battery cables.
•
Use nylock nuts to secure the battery cables to their terminals. Using wing nuts to secure the battery cables can cause
loose connections.
•
Any depth sounders or fish finders must be powered from the engine starting battery. Connecting electronic equipment to
the trolling motor batteries can cause electrical interference and possible electrolysis.
Recommended MotorGuide Accessory Description
6‑gauge battery cable and terminals with 50‑amp manual reset circuit breaker
50‑amp manual reset circuit breaker
60‑amp manual reset circuit breaker
Battery Precautions
An operating or charging battery produces gas that can ignite and explode, spraying out sulfuric acid, which can cause
severe burns. Ventilate the area around the battery and wear protective equipment when handling or servicing batteries.
When charging batteries, an explosive gas mixture forms in each cell. Part of this gas escapes through holes in the vent plugs
and may form an explosive atmosphere around the battery if ventilation is poor. This explosive gas may remain in or around the
battery for several hours after it has been charged. Sparks or flames can ignite this gas and cause an internal explosion, which
may shatter the battery.
The following precautions should be observed to prevent an explosion:
1.
Do not smoke near batteries being charged or which have been charged recently.
2.
Do not break live circuits at the battery terminals, because a spark usually occurs at the point where a live circuit is broken.
Always be careful when connecting or disconnecting cable clamps on chargers. Poor connections are a common cause of
electrical arcs, which cause explosions.
3.
Do not reverse the polarity of battery terminal to cable connections.
Establishing a Common Ground
A common ground (–) connection increases sonar sensitivity, improves sonar display, avoids the ground circuit as a possible
source of corrosion or electrolysis, and reduces interference with other electronic equipment. For 12‑volt trolling motor
applications, connect the negative (–) terminal on the trolling motor battery to the negative (–) terminal on the engine starting
battery with a common ground cable to establish a common ground.
For 24‑volt and 36‑volt trolling motors, a common ground (–) connection cannot be established with the 12‑volt electrical
system in the boat due to the different circuit voltages. As a general rule to reduce interference with other electronics on your
boat, route all battery wiring away from other boat wiring (opposite side of the boat if possible), keep the battery cable length as
short as possible, and always use battery cables of the appropriate size (gauge).
Page 12
WARNING
!
Part Number
MM309922T
MM5870
8M0064076
90-8M0082949
JULY 2013
eng
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