24 volt trolling motor plug

[buzzbait]

Does anyone know if there is a trolling motor plug and base that is 24 volt and is made for 6 gauge wire out there that will fit in a older model tracker to replace the old 12 volt? I can find them, but they are all 8 or 10 gauge prewired. Will a plug and base that is 8 gauge limit the 6 gauge wiring I have run?

[DaveR]

Use the biggest wire you can. A short length of 8 won't hurt you too bad. The 6 AWG wire is usually used to minimize the amount of voltage drop between the batteries and the trolling motor. Most all breakers are 50 amps and that is higher than the current any motors draw when working properly. 8 AWG can handle 50 Amps no problem. If you don't want to splice (which could add less reliability and allow corrosion thus increasing resistance), try the Marinco 4 prongs they accept 6 AWG . If you are running straight 24V you connect the positive of one battery to the negative of the other, so in series you have 24 V. this is done in the receptacle not in the base that attaches to boat. dave

[jmwldcat]

had the same problem once and you have you have to replace the wire with the heavier gage if not it will get hot and melt the wiring in the trolling motor head...hopes this helps joe