Help!! Trolling motor blowing fuses

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06-05-2010, 12:02 AM
Crappiecrazy fireman

Help!! Trolling motor blowing fuses

I was out on the lake today and suddenly my trolling motor kept blowing the 40 amp in line buss fuse. When I would replace the fuse, the trolling motor would run until the head was about a foot under water, then the fuse would blow again. Anybody have any idea what could be causing this? When I got back home to charge my batteries I noticed the wingnut which connects the trolling motor to the battery was very loose and not tight at all. Could this have beencausing the fuses to blow? I cant really tell if that was the problem until I put the boat back in the water. I hate to plan a fishing trip and think the thing is fixed and the first time I put my trolling motor in the water it starts blowing fuses again. Any suggestion?
06-05-2010, 02:37 AM
sac-a-lait

try a 60 amp fuse...that's what i use...
06-05-2010, 04:18 AM
speckfinder

The loose wire may have been the problem. Wire size will dictate breaker size.
06-05-2010, 05:28 AM
GCD

Install one of these:
Cabela's -- Ranger Style 50-amp Circuit Breaker
... best thing I ever did for my TM.
06-05-2010, 06:05 AM
sparkie51

Sounds like a broken wire that's making contact with some metal and shorting out to me.
Check the wire leads from the motor plug to the motor it may have a bad spot especially if it is a foot model.
06-05-2010, 09:01 AM
Barnacle Bill

That loose connection can definitely cause the problem. Throw away those wing nuts and put regular hex nuts on the battery posts.
06-05-2010, 09:16 AM
BlackWidow

Loose wires will cause fuses to blow. I am in the HVAC business. I see this all the time. Wire connections get loose, then build heat, then burnt wires or breakers tripping is the next step.
06-05-2010, 09:52 AM
talltimber

Quote:

Originally Posted by IBNFSHN

That loose connection can definitely cause the problem. Throw away those wing nuts and put regular hex nuts on the battery posts.

Use a flat washer between your ring terminal and nut if it is the light aluminum type. It will keep the nut from torqueing your terminal into a twisted mess.
06-05-2010, 12:05 PM
Barnacle Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by talltimber

Use a flat washer between your ring terminal and nut if it is the light aluminum type. It will keep the nut from torqueing your terminal into a twisted mess.

By all means plus it gives you a better connection. I like to use a flat washer then a lock washer. Never had one come loose.
06-05-2010, 03:12 PM
majflyboy

Quote:

Originally Posted by GCD

Install one of these:
Cabela's -- Ranger Style 50-amp Circuit Breaker
... best thing I ever did for my TM.

I hate to ask a dumb question, but where would you mount that breaker?
06-05-2010, 04:03 PM
Barnacle Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by majflyboy

I hate to ask a dumb question, but where would you mount that breaker?

As close as possible to the pos terminal of the battery.
06-05-2010, 04:47 PM
wannabe fisherman

Quote:

Originally Posted by IBNFSHN

As close as possible to the pos terminal of the battery.

mine are actually on the battery post with the wires attached to them. The ones I use have an ear on them just for that.