Posts: 2753
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | Hi, I'd agree that drawing 1 is simpler. However, it doesn't show any circuit breaker or fuse protection..... very important for both your personal safety and fire protection.
I've redrawn your first drawing using a 50A circuit breaker. This method offers complete protection for all of the cables. See drawing1 below. It's also the least expensive to implement.
In drawing2 below, I redrew your second drawing and inserted a 50A CB where you had your terminal block. This will work and the cables between the CB and trolling motor are protected. . However the cables between the CB and the batteries are not protected. Therefore drawing3 shows fuses added at the positive battery terminals to protect the battery cables, if the battery cables are very long. No! I wouldn't just use fuses and replace the CB with a terminal block, i.e., you would have 100A applied to the trolling motor battery cables (50A from each battery).
I used 50A as that is most common for trolling motors- check you user/installation manual, or the ampere rating marked on the motor itself. Again my personal recommendation would be my drawing1. If the distance between the batteries and the CB are longer than a couple of feet, you might want to add fuses at the battery terminals, i.e., same as drawing3. See drawing4.
Good luck.
Al
Edited by ESOX Maniac 4/27/2008 11:12 AM
Attachments ---------------- Drawing1.gif (12KB - 174 downloads) Drawing2.gif (14KB - 177 downloads) Drawing3.gif (16KB - 179 downloads) Drawing4.gif (14KB - 200 downloads)
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