I just recieved my endura in the mail and on the wires that go to the battery the postive and negative ends did not come with clamps with rubber handles or anything just two open metal ends that look like they would snap on the battery. Is that normal and do i need to get the handles or should they have come with the motor?

You mean the ends of the wires have these ?

http://productcatalog.tnb.com/fi/3/348107.jpg

If so they are made for batteries with stud (threaded) terminals.

If your battery has post (large smooth terminals), they sell adapters at auto parts stores.

You are better off with what came on the motor. It makes for a tighter connection. Use wingnuts so you can hookup and disconnect from the battery without tools.

It should have eyelet connectors that go on the studs of your deep cycle battery (and make sure they are on tight).

I guess what you're saying is it did not come with aligator clips to clip onto you battery post.  DO NOT TRY TO USE THOSE.  You TM pulls way too much current and you can melt the terminal on the battery and burn the leads up on your TM.

Deep Cycle Trolling Motor batteries will have studs to mount them, If you're thinking about using an automotive battery that does not have the studs, you can buy post adapters and most auto parts stores that will clamp around the post and have a stud to attach your cables.   However, you're going to destroy your auto battery fairly quickly.

Agree with the above, Do not use the clamps. I have done this, I know.

I have two of those motors and the terminals are heavy duty fork tougue designed for deep cycle battery connection. It makes the correct battery connection easier because you don't have to remove the battery wing nuts to make the connection.

If your using wing nuts and are not tightening them with a plier atleast a quarter turn from finger tight then you are not doing it right. Never leave battery teminals finger tight.

You mean the ends of the wires have these ?

http://productcatalog.tnb.com/fi/3/348107.jpg

If so they are made for batteries with stud (threaded) terminals.

If your battery has post (large smooth terminals), they sell adapters at auto parts stores.

You are better off with what came on the motor. It makes for a tighter connection. Use wingnuts so you can hookup and disconnect from the battery without tools.

They are sort of like those, but only half a circle.

You mean the ends of the wires have these ?

http://productcatalog.tnb.com/fi/3/348107.jpg

If so they are made for batteries with stud (threaded) terminals.

If your battery has post (large smooth terminals), they sell adapters at auto parts stores.

You are better off with what came on the motor. It makes for a tighter connection. Use wingnuts so you can hookup and disconnect from the battery without tools.

They are sort of like those, but only half a circle.

Then you have what are known as 'fork' terminals, which are fine. They are still to be used on stud type batteries.

As was already said DO NOT replace them with alligator clips. You will overheat the circuit causing a fire risk and definite damage to the motor.

Anyone follow the manual and have a 60 amp fuse/breaker on the positive lead ? Not sure how important it is but I bought a breaker that I will install this winter.

Mark

It's not needed if you don't mind abandoning your boat and going for a swim in the middle of the lake when the TM or the cables shorts out and sets it on fire.

Personnaly, I would not put power to my TM without a circuit breaker in line.