Thread: Darned hot trolling motor connector

Did it run hot before? I'm assuming not. Make sure your connections are good and tight on the wire. Were you running on med-high a lot more than normal, this could be more of a sign of too small of a wire?

If you were running at lower speeds, you would have to have small wire or poor connections to run hot. Take apart the plug and receptacle and verify all connections are tight. Loose equals resistance and heat. If you have the common push in tm connectors, these get a sloppy fit over time, especially if plugged and unplugged often or stepped on.

Just simply replacing yours will often help with the heat, I like a Marinco type twist connector (get the Minn Kota badged set MKR-18, its cheaper), or a Mar-Lan (seem more durable than generic push in's).

Originally Posted by brettw

<snip> Is it normal to get hot?

Warm maybe - hot is not good.

Originally Posted by brettw

TM is maybe pulling too much current? It will not spin on the lowest setting requiring more voltage to get going. Shaft is not bent.

The TM is pulling current - but what is "too much"? I would pull the prop and make sure the shaft is clear and not binding in the motor. There is a video on how to "Tune a TM" on Youtube.

Originally Posted by brettw

I have a TM breaker I can put on the line if necessary.

All TMs should have a circuit breaker or a fuse.

Originally Posted by okhawg

Did it run hot before? I'm assuming not. Make sure your connections are good and tight on the wire. Were you running on med-high a lot more than normal, this could be more of a sign of too small of a wire?

Thing is I was running roughly 50% power all the time

If you were running at lower speeds, you would have to have small wire or poor connections to run hot. Take apart the plug and receptacle and verify all connections are tight.


Plug is new and one piece

Loose equals resistance and heat. If you have the common push in tm connectors, these get a sloppy fit over time, especially if plugged and unplugged often or stepped on.

Just simply replacing yours will often help with the heat, I like a Marinco type twist connector (get the Minn Kota badged set MKR-18, its cheaper), or a Mar-Lan (seem more durable than generic push in's).

....

What tm do you have? What boat?

If it is a new plug, you might verify your connections are good and tight. I would check the receptacle also. Does it feel tight when plugged in?

How far from the receptacle to the battery? Wire gauge and electrical current draw is lost or depleted depending on the distance the current has to travel. Greater distance usually requires a thicker gauge wire. Also, a breaker should be added as others have mentioned. Usually within two feet of the power supply (battery).

Possibles
Loose conection
dirty connection
wire too small
fishing line wound up behind prop

and Yes....you need to have a circuit breaker or a fuse size will be determined by what TM you have.

Originally Posted by okhawg

What tm do you have? What boat?

If it is a new plug, you might verify your connections are good and tight. I would check the receptacle also. Does it feel tight when plugged in?

TM is XI5 55 lb thrust
Boat is G3 17' aluminum
Connection seems tight
I'm leaning towards the XI5 issues

Originally Posted by wicklundrh

How far from the receptacle to the battery? Wire gauge and electrical current draw is lost or depleted depending on the distance the current has to travel. Greater distance usually requires a thicker gauge wire. Also, a breaker should be added as others have mentioned. Usually within two feet of the power supply (battery).

Boat is 2002 original wiring,
6 ga? Never was a problem before
Guessing the run is 20'