Thread: Got my I-Pilot Friday ,wiring question

Newer motors tend to have electronics that draw all the time. You can use a breaker like Ranger uses that is designed to be used as a switch so you can turn it off.

I have mine wired direct with a breaker. Never noticed it pulling on batteries. It is off when in the stowed position. I have the 101 Riptide sp with i-pilot.

I've heard the GPS receiver is constantly locating in the stored position. I can tell my batteries drain a lot quicker since I've installed the I pilot.

The SP and PDV2 will draw power from the I-Pilot when plugged in. The ST and Terrova should be off until being used. (Saltwater Powerdrive vs Saltwater Terrova)
I have the powerdrive and just unplug it up front when I'm not on the water.

I do have plug on my SP but that is for when I'm off the water, on the water I leave it plugged in all day. ON the water and stowed it is really only drawing power for the gps and a TM battery will power a gps for about 300 hours continuously.

If it's a real problem, I wonder if unplugging the ipilot brain connector will do the same thing if unplugging the unit is not as simple.

On my Terrova, I plug it in at the ramp and disconnect it when I get back.

I also move the collar from the base to whatever depth I want the motor in. When I get back to the ramp, I move it back to the base. I had the dern thing drop once going up the ramp and lost a few months of life.

I'll used a quick disconnect and unplug it when it goes in the garage. The Riptide doesn't have a grove in the shaft to run the transducer cable, gonna have to think a little to figure how to run it and keep it secured.