Hey guys, I  just got my trolling motor and battery yesterday. How important is it to get a circuit breaker, and how do I go about installing it?

Is it ok to fish today with out it? Or is it risky? What's the point of the breaker?

My trolling motor and battery are at the back of the boat within a foot of eachother.

If everything is wired correctly it is not "risky" to go without...but it is a GOOD IDEA to have one.

The point of the breaker is over current protection. It is designed to keep you from a few things...

1. when matched properly to the wire size as it should be the breaker keeps you from buring you boat up but overheating the wiring

2. protects the motor from damaging faults

3. protects the motor from over use conditions, like if it gets wrapped with weeds and is pushing against a heavy load and starts drawing more power than the motor is rated for.

To be on the safe side you can pick up a 40-50A inline breaker and install it between the tmotor and the battery.  The cost should be about $10.  Check your tmotor manual to see what size is recommended.

good advice to use one ... you could probably get by today ....

To be honest Ive had my boat for 6yrs and have never tripped the breaker. I have gone to an inline fuse setup and I still have no problems. Its like others have said its just a $20 part for protection for piece of mind in front of your $$$ TM. Id rather spend the $20 and replace a fuse or breaker if need be than buy a new TM.

I use the 50 amp breakers that re-set themselves if they trip. I have tripped one on occasions when I'm running on highest power for extended periods of time such as fishing in high winds.

As others have said, it's a pretty inexpensive add on to insure you don't burn up your motor.

Dont mean to steal your thread, but do you think i'd be ok if I have a built in breaker in my battery box?  

Dont mean to steal your thread, but do you think i'd be ok if I have a built in breaker in my battery box?  

Sure should be ok. Word to the wise if you use as fuse(which is totally all right and just as good) make sure you take a few spare fuses out with you. I used to just tape one or two extra to the inside of my battery box so I new where they were in a hurry. Sucks when you blow a fuse and don't have any spares. :'(

Bill