Minn Kota i-Pilot Wiring
Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2021 12:13 pm
I have purchased a Minn Kota Fresh Water Terrova electric trolling motor Model 135884 with i-pilot Link . I plan to buy a Huminbird HELIX 7 or 8.
Most trolling motors are installed on bass boats or aluminum boats. Their wiring runs through rubber grommets.
The trolling motor has a six-inch-long lead at the mount. To that a 20-foot extension cable can be connected.
I want to be able to remove the trolling motor from the 170 MONTAUL and still maintain a clean look without a long chunk of wire dangling around when not in use.
Q1: How can wires be run between the trolling motor and the HELIX 7 or HELIX 8 on a 170 MONTAUK [so that when the trolling motor is removed there will not be long cables left in place and captivated in a Blue Sea Systems cable clam]?
I may modify the (existing) 12-Volt power port to accommodate this wiring and use a Blue Sea Systems Cable Clam. I would like to be able to easily extend the cable from a hidden compartment when needed, and tuck it away when not in use. I believe the Clam will leave a chuck of wire dangling when not connected to the trolling motor.
Q2: Should I return the Minn Kota trolling motor and order a Garmin FORCE trolling motor? The FORCE will connect to a ELITE 7 or ELITE 8 wirelessly.
BACKSTORY: have a 2015 170 Montauk. I have converted the power for the trolling motor to 24-Volts from the original 12-Volts.
A Minn Kota dealer told me that depending on what was going on in the boat, either the the HELIX 7 or HELIX 8 would know to pull information from either the SONAR transducer on the transom or the SONAR transducer on the on trolling motor .
Most trolling motors are installed on bass boats or aluminum boats. Their wiring runs through rubber grommets.
The trolling motor has a six-inch-long lead at the mount. To that a 20-foot extension cable can be connected.
I want to be able to remove the trolling motor from the 170 MONTAUL and still maintain a clean look without a long chunk of wire dangling around when not in use.
Q1: How can wires be run between the trolling motor and the HELIX 7 or HELIX 8 on a 170 MONTAUK [so that when the trolling motor is removed there will not be long cables left in place and captivated in a Blue Sea Systems cable clam]?
I may modify the (existing) 12-Volt power port to accommodate this wiring and use a Blue Sea Systems Cable Clam. I would like to be able to easily extend the cable from a hidden compartment when needed, and tuck it away when not in use. I believe the Clam will leave a chuck of wire dangling when not connected to the trolling motor.
Q2: Should I return the Minn Kota trolling motor and order a Garmin FORCE trolling motor? The FORCE will connect to a ELITE 7 or ELITE 8 wirelessly.
BACKSTORY: have a 2015 170 Montauk. I have converted the power for the trolling motor to 24-Volts from the original 12-Volts.
A Minn Kota dealer told me that depending on what was going on in the boat, either the the HELIX 7 or HELIX 8 would know to pull information from either the SONAR transducer on the transom or the SONAR transducer on the on trolling motor .