Need some help wiring my new Terrova!

**Big Wally** · 03-06-2013, 03:19 PM

I have two 12 volt trolling motor batteries and a new 12v 55 amp Terrova on the front. Due to the length of run I have snaked in new #4 cables to the front. Positive side first. This lead comes from the trolling motor, through a new 60 amp circuit breaker, and to the common side of a new Perko switch that will allow me to switch from battery #1 to #2 or chose off or both. From the switch terminals #1 and #2, I am running cables to both pos. terminals on the two batteries. Now for the Negative side: That cable comes from the trolling motor to the negative terminal of battery #1 and I will use a short length of cable to tie the negative terminals of both batteries together. So is that correct so far. I plan then to hook up my Minn Kota 3 bank charger to the two trolling motor batteries and the starting battery. I will charge with the perko switch set to off position. Please help me if this is not right.

Thanks all!

**flycaster** · 03-06-2013, 06:28 PM

Have you installed a socket so that the trolling motor can be disconnected from the boat???
It sounds like you have the wiring correct and the use of the battery charger set up also.
I think you mean that the trolling motor is a 55 THRUST motor and not amp.

**Cray** · 03-06-2013, 07:01 PM

Sounds right but where is your breaker? It needs to be as close to battery as possible. I have my batteries wired pos to pos Neg to Neg with breaker on pos cable going to troller. Can use Minkota type breaker as deadman if your wanting to completely disconnect eliminating Perko switch. Running my batteries like this I have never come close to running them down.

**Cane Pole** · 03-06-2013, 07:08 PM

If it were me, I would be using 2 breakers. One for each battery. I would have these breakers near to the battery as possible. Fusing at the Perko common leaves the wiring to the battery unprotected.

This would protect your wiring at the source. Batt 1 positive( via breaker) to Perko 1, Batt 2 positive (via breaker) to Perko 2. Common on Perko to the TM or TM positive quick disconnect. Tie the 2 Batt negatives together at the battery, then home run a negative to TM or quick disconnect.

I am assuming you have the Perko up front.

**Big Wally** · 03-06-2013, 07:23 PM

The perko is mounted within 30 inches of the batteries in the rear. The breaker is within 6 inches of the switch on TM side. So there would be an unprotected run of 36 inches from the batteries to the breaker (through the switch). Reckon that's too far? The reasoning behind the switch is to segregate and use the batteries independant of each other. Trolling motor has a socket up front to disconnect or use switch in rear. I meant to use the term # of thrust rather than amp (old).

**Cane Pole** · 03-06-2013, 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by Big Wally

The perko is mounted within 30 inches of the batteries in the rear. The breaker is within 6 inches of the switch on TM side. So there would be an unprotected run of 36 inches from the batteries to the breaker (through the switch). Reckon that's too far? The reasoning behind the switch is to segregate and use the batteries independant of each other. Trolling motor has a socket up front to disconnect or use switch in rear. I meant to use the term # of thrust rather than amp (old).

That is fine. I assumed Perko switch was up front. That is why I recommended 2 breakers.

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