Power Disconnect - Suggestion Needed

Hoped someone would have a good suggestion to add a power supply disconnect feeding my trolling motor. I recently added an I-Pilot and currently don't have a disconnect. So for now I am disconnecting the batteries until I get to the boat ramp.

I have (2) 12V Batteries in Parallel running my MK 55 Trolling Motor which is direct wired. I chose this over having a male/female plug. In the past with the old trolling motor I had a bad habit of stepping on the plug connection and bending the pins. The location for this on my Seark Forecast170 is not the best.

The ideal thought is a rocker switch on the front panel. I have a switch there now for the tilt/trim that allows access when fishing from the front seat without moving back to the console.

The problem is I haven't found a switch heavy enough in my mind to take the load to the trolling motor.

I've considered adding a disconnect back at the batteries but I am very, very limited on space.

I sure hope someone has a suggestion of something I've not thought about.


Thanks - Robert

Google up some battery switches. I use them on robots.

Something like this. Don't loose the key. It is not real small, but can handle the current.

http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/S-D-420600-1/

As a side note and something to keep in mind. I have personally experienced one bad battery pulling the other down when you run two batteries in parallel, (Positive to Positive, Neg to Neg) while in storage. This may be a rare occurance but this happened to me. I had a battery that developed an internal short and the bad battery would pull the good battery down with it just sitting. As you are getting your wiring in order, you might see if you can easily and cheaply break the connection of the two batteries while not on the water in case one develops an issue that might pull the other down. I personally use some Anderson Connectors (available numerous places including ebay) but one needs to at least be somewhat talented with soldering the connectors when installing. They are relatively inexpensive and when installed correctly very reliable. Ebay item # 370088232090 is an example of what I use but they are available other places as well. They MUST be soldered in to be reliable as a crimped connection is asking for trouble in my opinion.

I installed one of these in the battery compartment of my boat and it's one of the best things I ever did as far as prolonging the life of my TM battery.

Cabela's -- Ranger Style 50-amp Circuit Breaker

Just flip the switch to off at the end of the day and no worries.

You mentioned a 55# trolling motor, so I assume it's just 12 volts. This one is certainly more expensive than the others, but it will let you select off, using #1 battery, #2 battery, or both at the same time.

I use these - made by Minn-Kota. Wiring is 10 ga.

http://images.westmarine.com/full/minnk_mkr12_f.jpg

try a race car shop or Jegs or Summit they use them on pro stocks to kill the power all u do is turn it on or off or push pull.

Thaks for all the good ideas. Hopefully I will get this taken care of before the weekend. Thanks again. Robert

On my 80/24 volt MK Terrova, I installed a 50 amp Double pole Single throw toggle switch on the bow console and direct wired mine also. Rocker will work fine too. I googled the switch up and ordered it off the i-net. Been using it for a while now and it works good for my needs.

Back in the day I was a heavy equipment mechanic for Waste Management. All of the trucks are required to have a battery disconnect switch. You should be able to pick one up at any auto parts store. Mount it on your boat, run wires from your batteries to the switch and from there to your TM. You just rotate the switch to open and close the circuit and you can lock it out with a padlock if the need arises.

This might be a little late but I just ran across your post. I got this from Cabelas but I hear Napa carries them too. Cabelas item number FA-01-1811 - $17.99. They're called Wire Quick Connectors. You have to solder the connectors on to the wire which then slide into the plastic shells. Wasn't a big deal - I borrowed a soldering iron from a friend. It works pretty well but a switch would still be easier. I just didn't want to spend that much money.

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Originally Posted by MCF

This might be a little late but I just ran across your post. I got this from Cabelas but I hear Napa carries them too. Cabelas item number FA-01-1811 - $17.99. They're called Wire Quick Connectors. You have to solder the connectors on to the wire which then slide into the plastic shells. Wasn't a big deal - I borrowed a soldering iron from a friend. It works pretty well but a switch would still be easier. I just didn't want to spend that much money.

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Like MCF I used the Anderson type connectors for a couple of years but they started breaking in less than one year (Admittedly , and my fishing style, are hard on equipment). The plastic housing is pretty brittle and prone to cracking, at least on the version I had. I have since went with the Battery Tender quick disconnects, they are expensive at $70 a pop, but they are bomb proof and worth every penny in my book. One of several things that impressed me about them is the heavy duty rubber plug that covers the empty hole when they are not in use- my boat came with the cheap light- weight in deck quick disconnects that had the plastic receptacle covers, they were constantly coming lose and trash would find their way into them- a major pain. You can get the battery tenders connects at BPS or several places on line.

(Just a "quality" and "heavy duty" fan- not affiliated in any way with Battery Tender or BPS)