Trolling motor wire pull

Hi Folks,
I have a 06 Bass Tracker Pro175txw and changed out the TM for a terrova. The OEM wire is 8ga so I bought a length of 6 ga and am planning on using both 8ga runs as the negative and the new 6ga as the pos side.
My problem is that I cannot figure out how to get the new 6ga wire through the wall in front of the live well. The OEM run goes behind the fuel tank and drops to the floor before turning and passing through the wall. I cannot even get my hand down to where the wire passes through. Any suggestions?

For the electricians amongst us, if I ran the new wire on the port side and had the return on the starboard side, does this set up any type of magnetic loop that I would have to worry about?

thanks

Can you use one of the old wires to pull in a pull cord?

I wouldn't worry about any magnetic loop.

If you can't use the old wire do you know an electrician that you can borrow fish tape from? I've got a coupleof them but they aren't helping you in Tenn.

I've just used the old wire and pulled the new. Tape the wires nice and tight with electrical tape and try to keep the overall diameter as small as possible. Not a bad idea to have a helper feeding the new wire while your pulling the old one. Be patient and take your time. Good Luck

The 8ga should be sufficent as I have an 04 PT175, and upgraded to the 55 # Terrova w/IP in late 2011. I used the oem TM wiring since I stayed with 12v (same as MG oem TM). I installed a NEW re-settable breaker at the battery tho.

I have run new power wires for a bow FF and went under the livewell/under the seats storage area and floor all the way up to the front. Ran the wires inbetween the gas tank and batteries to get to the opening under the seats. You can probably remove the front deck flooring by removing the screws along the edges, just have to hunt for 'em in the carpet and remove the small front panel where the TM plug/TT switch is by removing more screws hidden by the carpet.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by charttn

Hi Folks,
I have a 06 Bass Tracker Pro175txw and changed out the TM for a terrova. The OEM wire is 8ga so I bought a length of 6 ga and am planning on using both 8ga runs as the negative and the new 6ga as the pos side.
My problem is that I cannot figure out how to get the new 6ga wire through the wall in front of the live well. The OEM run goes behind the fuel tank and drops to the floor before turning and passing through the wall. I cannot even get my hand down to where the wire passes through. Any suggestions?

For the electricians amongst us, if I ran the new wire on the port side and had the return on the starboard side, does this set up any type of magnetic loop that I would have to worry about?



thanks

---

Unlike marriage, wire separation is good.

I used the tip of a broken cane pole [no not you CP] . Stick it in from the back just above fuel tank on the right side, push all the way in and fell for it under the seat then tie a string on it and use the string to pull the wire. Just did mine a month ago

I you have some right angle turns, it gonna be hard, but not impossible. I would do as FAA mentioned. But before doing so, I would loosen the wires and give 'em a slight tug to see if it is bound tight. Like Bill said, You might get a snake thru the boat too.

If you were close by, I would be glad to help. I got "jobs" lined up in February when we have good weather. Join the crowd.

I have a tracker 07,i change to a max 70,i did not change wire because i do not run very high long and do not think it pulls enough current to be a problem running at less than 1/2 speed,have use it 2 years and fish 12 months a year and 5 days a week 4 months a year. Only running at high speeds for a length of time will heat small wire imo

I am with you gene. I have 70# and 8 ga and ain't changing nothing. Not worth the aggravation of rewiring to me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wilbur

I used the tip of a broken cane pole [no not you CP] . Stick it in from the back just above fuel tank on the right side, push all the way in and fell for it under the seat then tie a string on it and use the string to pull the wire. Just did mine a month ago

---

Yep. Works good too. Whip antennas work too. Like Bill, I have a fish tape which I use.

Thanks for the reply jimp,
I am currently running my tm with the oem wires (don't want to limit time on the water). I saw somewhere on here that a #55 terrova does not pull more than 30 amps till you get to setting 9. But, since I measured about a 40 foot run round trip to the battery, there is more than the 1 volt drop everyone seems to use as a guide. Pulling one wire and all that goes away and the battery should last longer.
The way you described how you ran your wire under the floor makes me think you ran it through the bilge which in my boat is not a particularly dry area. Am I thinking incorrectly? That would definitely cut down on the length of the run.

<<Unlike marriage, wire separation is good.>>

That is pure gold!
I'm using it tonight to score some points.:highfive

Ill give that a try. Knowing someone actually coaxed something along that contortionists path helps alot.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wilbur

I used the tip of a broken cane pole [no not you CP] . Stick it in from the back just above fuel tank on the right side, push all the way in and fell for it under the seat then tie a string on it and use the string to pull the wire. Just did mine a month ago

---

Thanks BB, I have fished through walls before but the double 90° angle has me stumped. Your post gave me a thought though, If I poked a hooked end fish tape through the hole in the wall behind the seat, I bet I could blind catch it with another hooked end reaching over behind the gas tank. (The river is still too high to fish right now anyway.)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Barnacle Bill

If you can't use the old wire do you know an electrician that you can borrow fish tape from? I've got a coupleof them but they aren't helping you in Tenn.

---

I am not sure. The double #8ga seems to fill the corrugated wire run. I am not sure there is room in there for a third.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FAADAN

Can you use one of the old wires to pull in a pull cord?

---

I agree that it is probably only an issue at higher speeds. Unfortunatley for my TM, I fish in the narrow part of the TN river valley gorge part of Nickajack and there are several spots that I would really like to park against a fairly swift current (which this TM does really well) without warming the wires.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by genec

I have a tracker 07,i change to a max 70,i did not change wire because i do not run very high long and do not think it pulls enough current to be a problem running at less than 1/2 speed,have use it 2 years and fish 12 months a year and 5 days a week 4 months a year. Only running at high speeds for a length of time will heat small wire imo

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by charttn

I am not sure. The double #8ga seems to fill the corrugated wire run. I am not sure there is room in there for a third.

---

You will still only have two wires in your run, unless you pull in a new #8 along with the #6. Regardless, you should pull in a scrap piece of wire for any future wiring projects.

I decided to just run the wire through its own channel. Instead of trying to fish it through the blind turns that must have been wired before they installed the gas tank, I cut a hole through the foam beside the battery and met it with a hole along the starboard side under the fake wall. I then ran conduit behind that wall to the front compartment. Ended with pulling the 6ga wire and an extra pull string. I would not say it was easy, but it was doable.
I will post pics if anyone is interested.

The above thought of running the trolling motor on one 6ga leg and one 8ga leg seems counterproductive. If I were going to use just 8ga wire for the trolling motor, I could have just left it alone. This way I one leg at 6ga and the other at double 8ga (which I believe equals a 5ga) so I should be easily below the 1 volt drop.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by charttn

Thanks for the reply jimp,
I am currently running my tm with the oem wires (don't want to limit time on the water). I saw somewhere on here that a #55 terrova does not pull more than 30 amps till you get to setting 9. But, since I measured about a 40 foot run round trip to the battery, there is more than the 1 volt drop everyone seems to use as a guide. Pulling one wire and all that goes away and the battery should last longer.
The way you described how you ran your wire under the floor makes me think you ran it through the bilge which in my boat is not a particularly dry area. Am I thinking incorrectly? That would definitely cut down on the length of the run.

---

Yes, there is the possiblity of water being close to the wires, but remember, you're on the water. Just be careful and not nick the wire insulation or you could use some wire wrap to protect the wire in that area from any chaffing, etc. There are some sharp edges in there, and that's why I used the wire wrap in the area under the seat and livewell areas.

Gonna be upgrading soon to a minn kota maxxum 70 24v and i have a basstracker so u guys think i will be fine with stock wire?