I took the wife out this morning and after having no luck fishing decided to just survey the lake for depth and structures so I had the trolling motors turned up higher than normal. Going along at a fair clip, no-one around fishing, I lost the bow motor but the stern mounted was doing fine. I checked the foot pedal and no issues found. I also noticed that the fish finder had gone blank.

After getting back to shore on the stern motor and packing the boat up I made a few quick checks but didn't see anything obvious. At home, I backed the boat into the garage and took everything out, looking closer at the bow motor. Still didn't see anything obvious. I checked the other equipment and found that the bilge pump, horn, lights and so on didn't work either. The stern motor seemed to be the only working electrical thing operating. I checked the battery compartment and found a hot wire that runs to the console with the fuse holder, glass type fuse, melted but the fuse still good. Couldn't begin to guess what the fuse was rated for but obviously was too large for connected equipment.

Now I've done AC and DC control wiring for years in HVAC equipment so I'm no stranger to these types of wiring. What I don't have is the ability to read DC amps so I can't say what the amp rating on the trolling motors should be. What I do know is that the individual components should be fused separately and according to load rating. So, the real question, where can I find load ratings on older trolling motors? The Minn Kota may be in the manual but the Evinrude Scout is any one's guess. I can't find any information on that motor and there's nothing on the motor, at least exposed. The bilge pump and horn should be no problem, as well as the live well. At least they should have some data plates.

I need to find a fuse panel that these can all be routed to as well, preferably with blade style automotive fuses and with a cover. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

What I've found out so far is the Minn Kota Endura 50 should have a 60 amp circuit breaker installed as close to the battery as possibly. That is there at this point but being ordered now. There's a lot to check when buying a used boat! I have to replace the registration number as well because there are no dashes or spaces between the letters and numbers as specified by Va. law. Just because someone had it this way for 21 years and didn't get cited isn't going to help you when you do.

Steve