Battery Precautions; Wire And Cable Routing - MotorGuide X3-40 Operation And Maintenance Manual

WIRING AND BATTERY INFORMATION
Recommended MotorGuide Accessory Description
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
very recently.
2. Do not break live circuits at terminals of batteries, 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 polarity of battery terminal to cable connections.

Wire and Cable Routing

• Route the trolling motor wires on the opposite side of the boat from other
boat wiring.
• The trolling motor should be connected to its own dedicated battery.
• Sensitive electronics, such as depth finders, should be connected to a
separate battery.
• Marine engines should have their own dedicated starting battery.
• All batteries should have a common ground.
WARNING
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