Is it safe to keep using a melted pole trolling motor batter?

Hello everyone, I am a newbie and I have a quick question.

Yesterday I mounted a trolling motor on my kayak for the very first time ever, I plugged it on a brand new deep cycle battery. After about 1 hour of trolling I noticed a weird smell and it was the negative pole that had been melted and some the plastic around it as well. This probably happened because the connection was not really tight. (Negative pole photos attached)

My question is if I it is safe to keep using this battery or if I must replace it to avoid having it explode or catch fire while I am far from the shore.

If somebody can help me that would be really appreciated!

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I’m curious how you had it attached?
But yes a loose connection will make heat and a lot of it. Personally I’d get my connections squared away, use it but keep an eye on it for getting hot again. If your trolling motor lead has ring terminals on it - I would put on if it doesn’t - something like this oughta be good to go Attachment 471923


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Thanks Jeff! I would think the battery is still good to go as well. Keep an eye on it.

I would definitely keep and eye on it. That was a lot of heat. I would think it did damage to the wire at the point of connection

theysaid and :welcome to C.C

[QUOTE=J White;4403357]I’m curious how you had it attached?
But yes a loose connection will make heat and a lot of it. Personally I’d get my connections squared away, use it but keep an eye on it for getting hot again. If your trolling motor lead has ring terminals on it - I would put on if it doesn’t - something like this oughta be good to go Attachment 471923


I used these (photo) but now I am going to buy brass applicators and I hope this solves the battery issue.


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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

I would definitely keep and eye on it. That was a lot of heat. I would think it did damage to the wire at the point of connection

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The wire looks ok but the applicator was burned a little bit. (Check picture)

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Originally Posted by BuckeyeCrappie

Thanks Jeff! I would think the battery is still good to go as well. Keep an eye on it.

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Thank you
I'll try again this Saturday with brass applicators

I would change those to ring connectors before heading out again. I also think your terminal will be just fine.

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Originally Posted by BuckeyeCrappie

I would change those to ring connectors before heading out again. I also think your terminal will be just fine.

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Would you suggest me to buy brass applicators or to stay with the same? (Photo)

Attachment 471959

If it was me I’d keep and use em. I would definitely want ring connectors to ensure the TM wires don’t come off the terminals. Make sure your connections are tight before you head out. Might use a tiny bit of dielectric grease on batter terminals as well.

What is Dielectric Grease and How to Use It? | The Drive

First, answer your question. Yes, as others have said, I would continue to use it. I actually had a battery that got so hot that a portion of the post (like yours) had partially melted away. In my case, the connect-to-wire connection was not good. I had connectors like yours. I ended up cutting the connector off and getting the battery connectors where you crimp the wire directly to the connector and using those. I used those for three years with no issues.

To me, the wire size and connector for your trolling motor looks too small - but that could be due to size reference in the photo (like fishmen holding their fish as far away from there body as they can - LOL!). I would suggest replacing the battery terminals with these:

Attachment 471963

Small dab of dielectric and be sure the battery terminal is tight. Good luck.

And I would ditch the wing nuts and use regular nuts.......

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Originally Posted by tlefire

And I would ditch the wing nuts and use regular nuts.......

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I'd use nylon lock nuts.

Yep second the toss the wing nut connector, likely part of the issue