Old Minn Kota Troubles

[Bassmaster2008]

Hey everybody, I have an old Minn Kota 12 volt trolling motor. It reaches 24 lb. of thrust at max power. However this usually barely gets the job done. I'm going on a big trip to Pot Holes in 2 weeks and would like some more power out of it. Does anybody know of any ways to get a little more thrust out of the motor?

Also I am trying to move the trolling motor from the back of the boat, to the front. But The cables that hook up to the battery will not reach. If I buy additional cables and tie them on to the bare ends of the first cables ( where the clips would normally be) and ran it to the back of the boat. Would that wire tying take away some power?

Thanks for all the help.

[Drewp]

I don't think there's a way to get more thrust out of what an electric is rated for. 24 pounds is 24 pounds. As for extending, as long as you are using the same gauge wire that is coming out of the trolling motor, you should be fine. But is there any reason you couldn't just move the battery up to the front too?

You might want to think about upgrading to a new or slightly used motor. There are some pretty good deals on craigslist if you keep your eyes peeled. I just recently picked up a bowmount motoguide with foot control and battery for 300 bucks on craigslist.

[bigastrout]

Extending the battery cables will make more electrical resistance you will get less voltage to the motor and have less power.

[hewesfisher]

Extending the battery cables will make more electrical resistance you will get less voltage to the motor and have less power.

Absolutely right! Besides that, it's not a good idea from a safety standpoint either, unless you have some way of making good permanent connections that are properly insulated so you don't short them out.

[Bodofish]

Oh come on guy's.
You can put the batteries anywhere you want them as long as you have large enough cable to do the job. How far are we talking about moving them. Many big yachts (and fishing boats) have the batteries 40 to 50 feet from the charging circuits. 4/0 cable should be sufficient to put the batteries anywhere you want them in a small boat. The other important part is terminating them correctly. Use the proper connectors , crip, solder and insulate. You can buy the large cable at any of the big boat supply stores or trucking supply. Plan carefully the cable isn't cheap.

[Bassmaster2008]

15 foot cables would do the job. Nice buy on that foot pedal troller Drew. I'd love one of those but I don't know if I want to put much more money into the boat. It's already on it's last leg. I'm just trying to get by with what I got. I will eventually buy one of those though.

Moving the battery sounds like it could be a good idea. Except my gas motor is in the back and needs the battery. Possibly a second battery in the front and just switch the batteries out day by day so they can charge with the gas motor?

Say I could find a way to get 1 cable to run the whole length of the boat ( no tying or breaks ) would that supply the maximum power possible?

[Bodofish]

On a 15 foot run 4/0 cable would start the motor or run the troller like it was right there. I would make a terminal block where your battery is right now. Run the cables to the front of the boat where you have the battery secured. Then you can just clip the troller on. Running two batteries in parallel would be preferable with an isolation device for the troller batt. If not make sure you carry one of those emergency jump start batteries. It's a real drag to paddle any motor boat.