Skeeter Trolling Motor Receptacles

Hey Everyone,

I own a 2016 WX-1910. It is equipped with a bow mounted receptacle for a trolling motor: A Marinco L5-30R that is a rated for 30A/125V (http://www.marinco.com/en/305crrb) (photo attached).

The boat came from the factory with a Minn Kota Terrova 24V/80lb. I had the dealer remove it so I can install a Minn Kota Ultrex 36V/112lb, therefore the mating plug went with the Terrova and I need to replace it. From the Minn Kota literature, the 24V motors have a max amp draw of 56A at 24VDC, and the 36V motors have a max amp draw of 52A at 36VDC (photo attached).

QUESTION – Before I order the mating plug for the Marinco receptacle in my boat, can someone explain to me how this is not a safety issue based on the notes below (plug rated for less than the maximum amperage draw)?

NOTE 1 – Marinco’s response to the same inquiry:
Never use a plug or connector that is rated for less than the max. current draw of the device. If you exceed the max. current rating of 30A, you are creating an unsafe condition, the 305CRRB could overheat and damage a lot of things in the boat. When using a plug or connector or any application, the plug/connector can be rated over the max. current draw, but a at minimum, make sure it is rated for at least the max. current draw of the device.

NOTE 2 – Forum explanation for those thinking the AC amperage rating means a higher DC amperage rating – it does not…
https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/128190/using-an-ac-plug-for-dc-current

NOTE 3 – Amazon Question and Answer for the Plug (I don’t understand this – can someone explain?)
Question: Will this plug work on a 36 volt trolling motor?
Yes it will but will require jumping inside the plug.
By Amazon Customer on April 24, 2017

NOTE 4 – I contacted my dealer and they spoke with the sales representative and said the following:
Our contact at Skeeter gave me a call to inform me that the plug supplied by Marinco is rated in AC power. The trolling motor system uses DC power, so the amperage calculation is different. The calculation is fairly long and complicated so I didn’t sit down to do the math, and unfortunately Marinco does not supply ratings for DC power. Our contact at Skeeter indicated that they have been using that plug for 30 years and is the standard plug in the industry. It is 100% safe to use, especially considering that Skeeter used 6 gauge wire in the boat, which creates less resistance than smaller gauge wire. You ok with that plug, even if you go to 36V.

NOTE 5 – Since I disagree with ‘the amperage calculation is different’, I was told to contact Skeeter directly. I have twice now with no response. I may agree with that statement if there was a transformer in the mix, but that is not the case as the batteries are DC and the trolling motor is DC.

NOTE 6 – I can’t argue with what works – Many people are running these products, and assuming they are the same receptacle and plugs it must be working. I’m puzzled. All I can think is that maybe they are not be running the TM all day long in current or at a higher thrust (i.e. running higher current for long periods)

Any suggestions or an explanation to my question above?

Thanks!
Josh

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Amps are amps, it measures the flow of electrons. I would just buy the minn Kota kit https://minnkotamotors.johnsonoutdoors.com/accessories/trolling-motor/plug-recptacle-mkr-18

In reality you would probably never have an issue with the 30amp plug because it probably has a large safety factor built into it, and you will rarely run all out continuously. But why take a chance for $30.

I have a 36 volt Terrova on my MX1825 Skeeter and I have been using the same receptacle that you have. L5-30R. I haven’t had any issues at all. It never even gets warm.
I’m not an electrician but from what I remember from school Watts are what matter most. A wire or plug rated at 30 amps @ 125 volts would be okay with 15 amps @ 250 volts or 60 amps @ 62.5 volts.
Watts = volts x amps. 125 volts @ 30 amps = 3750 watts. 36 volts @ 52 amps = 1872 watts.

nick2060 wrote:

Amps are amps, it measures the flow of electrons. I would just buy the minn Kota kit https://minnkotamotors.johnsonoutdoors.com/accessories/trolling-motor/plug-recptacle-mkr-18

In reality you would probably never have an issue with the 30amp plug because it probably has a large safety factor built into it, and you will rarely run all out continuously. But why take a chance for $30.

Nick, that MKR-18 connector is only rated to 40 amps by Marinco, even with the #6 adapter. The L5-30 has much larger blades, and are spaced further apart. I’d be comfortable with the L5-30 plug and socket for a TM.

HRG

Thanks for the responses! Others are welcome to join in the conversation.

For those of you running a Skeeter boat that was equipped with a trolling motor, can you confirm if the plug is the Marinco 305BP??

(http://www.marinco.com/en/305bp)

In response to the comments above:
1) I cannot find the Minn Kota MKR-18’s amperage rating. I read online that MK does not publish that data, which is aligns with the lack of findings in my search. The only thing to consider is if it doesn’t say, and lists 12,24, and 36V systems on the packaging, one must believe it’s fine.

2) Aside from the power calculation above, amps do matter very much so. Technically the gear should have an amperage rating above what the system can run at for safety reasons. On paper it looks like Skeeter did not catch this, however I will reserve judgement and run the plug and see for myself – I assume it will be fine based on the number of boats they are installed in and also like Hot Runr Guy says, a safety factor built into it. Remember 30A is a lot lower than 56A, but we will see.

I guess I wouldn’t have known otherwise if I didn’t get the dealer to pull the trolling motor (plug went with it) from the sale.

Thanks again everyone!

I would also be more worried about the total power that the plug has to dissipate which is Watts=Current x Voltage. But also remember that Voltage=Current X Resistance, which means that Power = Current x Current X resistance, which means that power increase to the square of current, in other words power is increased dramatically by increasing current. Just something to keep in mind. You should be able to google the wire size needed for the current and distance you run your wires. I work on some electronic/robotic equipment, I can tell you from personal experience that a 125 Volt 8 Amp fuse blows consistently in an instrument I work on that comes from the factory with 250 Volt 8 Amp fuse, so it isn’t just about amperage rating, voltage also plays a role, and I verified that with an electrical engineer.

I happen to have a Skeeter WX1910 that I bought with the Minnkota upgraded to a 112 Terrova, I will look to see what rating plug was installed and let you know what I have either tonight or tomorrow.

Chasin,
The Minn-Kota MKR-18 is the same as the Marinco 3-wire ConnectPro, Marinco shows this in their FAQ’s.

HRG

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I have the same boat as you (WX1910), and upgraded to a 36v Ulterra. I put a pretty good draw on that trolling motor both fishing in windy conditions (high power) and long days (12 hours). Never had any issue with the plugs as long as the connections are solid. If the wires are connected poorly on either the male or female side, you can overheat and burn up the plug…but that will happen regardless of the size of the plug since you’re introducing excess resistance with the bad connection.

Anyway, if this worries you, just upgrade it. It’s easy to do on your own and Marinco offers 70A plug and receptacle kits “for modern trolling motors” that are 6-gauge wire ready. It will only cost you $38.

http://www.marinco.com/en/12vcps3

https://www.amazon.com/Marinco-Trolling-Motor-Plug-Receptacle/dp/B06Y5XQQNV/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1521466442&sr=8-3&keywords=marinco+70a+trolling+motor+plug+%26+receptacle

You could also remove the plug entirely and direct-wire your trolling motor with an appropriately sized fuse.

For those of you noting you have a MX or WX (pale ryder, stonyeye, Michael W), do you mind checking what make and model plug is installed on your trolling motor and noting it in a reply?

I believe I’ll pull the trigger on the plug that originally came with it.

Josh

Oops. Never mind.
I see you are switching to a 36v system.

chasing50s wrote:

For those of you noting you have a MX or WX (pale ryder, stonyeye, Michael W), do you mind checking what make and model plug is installed on your trolling motor and noting it in a reply?

I believe I’ll pull the trigger on the plug that originally came with it.

Josh

Mine is either the 305P or the 305BP.
The boat is in storage, buy I am sure it is one of those two.
They are the same except the 305BP is listed as corrosion resistant.

My issue with those flush mount plugs is that the socket does not support the weight of the plug which transfers vibrations from the prongs into the socket connectors. I found them to wear out really fast.

I only have a 24v system but found it most beneficial to throw away the flush mount connector for something with a socket that supports the plug.

I hope this works for you. It didn’t for me.

chasing50s wrote:

For those of you noting you have a MX or WX (pale ryder, stonyeye, Michael W), do you mind checking what make and model plug is installed on your trolling motor and noting it in a reply

I have the 70A Marinco that I linked to above installed on mine.

I pulled out my old stock one that came with the boat and it is the Marinco 30A, not sure of the model number.