Has anyone installed a kill switch for trolling motor?

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Andy Taylor

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I'd like to install a kill switch for the trolling motor on my kayak, in case I fell out while it was running. The simpler, the better.

I use a Minn Kota 40 lb. Endura Max with a Group 24 battery.

Thanks.
 
Tether line to a quick disconnect in the power line to the battery would be the simplest I would think.....
 
[url=https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=364892#p364892 said:
great white » Sat Aug 30, 2014 5:10 am[/url]"]Tether line to a quick disconnect in the power line to the battery would be the simplest I would think.....

Could you be more specific? Thanks.
 
[url=https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=364892#p364892 said:
great white » Today, 04:10[/url]"]Tether line to a quick disconnect in the power line to the battery would be the simplest I would think.....

A regular disconnect as used on an outboard probably will not work. Not enough current capacity for a trolling motor power line.
Maybe use a solenoid from a starter application and some kind of tether switch to control it.
Tim
 
Put something like this in the power line: https://www.amazon.ca/Minn-Kota-Trolling-Motor-Plug/dp/B001PTHKSA/ref=pd_sim_auto_1/187-8951563-9262732?ie=UTF8&refRID=0FQ97BQR5HY7E620BKSR

You can find the same thing on eBay pretty cheaply. Just not pretty black. They use them for everything from winch motors to forklifts. Just get one rated for your amperage load.

Anchor one side of the plug to the motor/boat/mount/etc. Tie a small rope to the free end of the connector and the other end to yourself somewhere. I suggest a clip on the human side so you can ditch it quickly if needed.

Fall out and the rope yanks the plug or you can at lest grab the rope and try to yank the plug.

That it in a nutshell. How fancy you make it is up to you.

Same idea on an outboard except the kill "clip" usually just grounds out the ignition and kills the spark.
 
[url=https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=364914#p364914 said:
earl60446 » Today, 12:41[/url]"]
[url=https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=364892#p364892 said:
great white » Today, 04:10[/url]"]Tether line to a quick disconnect in the power line to the battery would be the simplest I would think.....

A regular disconnect as used on an outboard probably will not work. Not enough current capacity for a trolling motor power line.
Maybe use a solenoid from a starter application and some kind of tether switch to control it.
Tim

Starter solenoids are not rated continuous duty so that won't work. However, you could use something like a 24117 Cole hersee continuous duty relay. You would still need a kill switch for the control wire....
 
What about rigging a tether to a blade fuse and securing the holder to the boat somehow? You fall overboard and the tether pulls the fuse out. Just use a fuse rated for the motor and it could kill 2 birds with 1 stone.
 
[url=https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=364928#p364928 said:
jklett » 24 minutes ago[/url]"]What about rigging a tether to a blade fuse and securing the holder to the boat somehow? You fall overboard and the tether pulls the fuse out. Just use a fuse rated for the motor and it could kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

That's a good idea.

:)
 
[url=https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=364928#p364928 said:
jklett » Sat Aug 30, 2014 5:35 pm[/url]"]What about rigging a tether to a blade fuse and securing the holder to the boat somehow? You fall overboard and the tether pulls the fuse out. Just use a fuse rated for the motor and it could kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

Thanks guys. The positive cable has a 50 amp circuit breaker on it already, about 1' from the end. Does this do me any good? As you can tell, I know nothing about this type of thing. :(
 
The circuit breaker serves pretty much the same purpose as a fuse. If you were to use my idea of a fuse for a kill switch, just go up to a 60 amp fuse so if there is an issue with the wiring the breaker will trip before the fuse.
 
Maybe something like a knife switch with a tether added?
Maybe add a spring and release pin to unlatch the switch as well?
These are common on RVs and such.

WIR-20148.jpg
 
If you had a foot control motor with a cable drive and momentary on/off, if you fell out the motor would shut off as soon as your foot came off of the pedal. Unless it was set on continuous on.

Mine is wireless. But the pedal is momentary on/off-when I use it. Most of the time I use the handheld remote and in that case if I fell out and was still within about 20-25 feet of the motor it would still be able to shut down. Yes it's water resistant. Already dropped it in the drink twice and it works fine.
 
Look at a Big Foot trolling motor switch. It has a "Constant On" setting. Put it in the battery wiring line on the positive side...

connect a cord to the small bar that keeps it ON...when you fall out, the cord, if aligned properly, will pull the switch to OFF. You probably will have to mount the switch and a screw eye on to a small piece of cutting board.

richg99

https://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_19867_-1__?N=635908473&affcode=42&kwid=ps_cse&cid=PLA_002742237&gclid=Cj0KEQjwy_SgBRCxhsqc3prt8rQBEiQAHI_9Gd2ub5isup94AePLg0sQOmMlnAhEPkwG5wtqgZXZLggaAmqO8P8HAQ
 
It might be better to arrange a light spring or gas shock to turn your trolling motor, should you no longer have control. This would cause your boat to travel in a circle, and would keep it in an area that you could easily get back to it, as well as calling attention to your plight, should you need assistance. You'll also have to fight the constant spring or shock pressure, but.....

Roger
 
Thanks guys. I want something very simple tough. I tried the Bigfoot switch on my trolling motor, when I had my boat, and I didn't like it.

I think I'm going to try a tether attached to one of the battery cables., like "great white" suggested. If I put an alligator clip on one of the cables, drill a hole and attach the tether to it, wouldn't that work? Attach the other end to my life vest? If so, should I attach it to the positive or negative cable?
 
I'm reviving this thread because I never did this last fall. This is for a trolling motor I sometimes use on my kayak.

If I use alligator clips to connect to the battery posts, drill a hole and attach a rope or tether to one of the clips, and attach the other end to my life jacket, wouldn't that work? If so, should I attach I to the pos. or neg. battery cable?

Thanks.
 
If you used that method, I would use the positive side.

I wonder about an "alligator" clip carrying enough current, unless you use very large clips. Just be certain that they can easily disconnect with a good tug on the cord.

Good luck.
 

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