I can't figure out why my trolling motor is blowing fuses. For a long time I would never unplug the TM power plug from the boat. I did unplug it the last time I used it, then yesterday when i plugged it back in, it worked for about 20 seconds then blew the fuse. The fuse would blow immediately after replacing then connecting back to the battery. The only thing hooked to this battery is the TM and the on board charger, I disconnected the charger, with no difference. Both the male and female ends of the plug look very worn and corroded, should I start just by replacing the plugs and see if that fixes the problem? Any other ideas? Anyone else ever have this problem?

Yes I would replace both plugs.

Since you are thinking of replacing the plugs. Cut the plug off of the trolling motor end. Install an inline fuse and try the trolling motor seperate from the boats wiring system. This will tell you whether the problem is the motor or wiring.

Thanks, and good idea lazee.

you do have an inline breaker installed right ? You need either a 50 or a 60 amp breaker inlline with the red wire going from the battery to the trolling motor.

you do have an inline breaker installed right ? You need either a 50 or a 60 amp breaker inlline with the red wire going from the battery to the trolling motor.

Also no farther than 18" from the battery

you do have an inline breaker installed right ? You need either a 50 or a 60 amp breaker inlline with the red wire going from the battery to the trolling motor.

You know, I don't think so.  I bought the boat with the TM installed.  unless it would be somewhere in between where the wiring is run, where you can't see it - then I don't.  I know it is not within 18" of the battery.  I guess I will install one of those too.

Just a couple other things: if I put in a circuit breaker, that takes the place of the fuse, right? So I don't need a fuse any more, right?

Also, to install I just connect a wire from the positive side of battery to the cb, then the tm wire to the other side of the cb, right?

Just a couple other things: if I put in a circuit breaker, that takes the place of the fuse, right? So I don't need a fuse any more, right?

Also, to install I just connect a wire from the positive side of battery to the cb, then the tm wire to the other side of the cb, right?

Yes to both questions. I would find and fix the cause of the over-current first before anything else. If you eliminate the plug connection and the problem goes away, you know what you have. I would bet that is the problem.

I don't know where the fuse you now have is located in the circuit. It should be close to the battery (ies) as mentioned. While a circuit breaker is convenient, from a safety standard a correctly sized fuse and marine rated base is just fine. A breaker is recommended by by MK and MG.

Thanks everyone. 

The fuse is really close to the battery now. 

I just realized how many times I wrote "right" in that last post.  I don't really talk like that!

Put new plugs on, installed a circuit breaker, it all works great now.

Thanks for all the help.