FOR THOSE OUTCASTS WITH TROLLING MOTORS - YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE

[valvguy1]

I was thinking today.......... did you put in any kind of kill switch? I'd hate to think if I fell out for some reason........ I'd see this yak motoring off without me and I don't think I'd want to be tethered to a runaway yak either.

[Branch_Office]

Have not done that (yet) but had thought of that as well. It is on the agenda.....

[Where Y'ak?]

A kill switch like used on a regular power boat should work just fine and is probably not a bad idea.

Here's an example:

Attwood
Ignition Kill Switch with Lanyard
This safety shut off switch is intended only to stop the engine of an inboard, I/O, or outboard motor of a boat in case the operator is accidentally removed from the controls. This switch is not intended to be used on a personal watercraft, ATV, or any similar vessel or vehicle.

This switch includes a 50" lanyard attached to a removable fork which holds a spring-loaded plunger in position to allow engine operation. The operator wears this lanyard on a wrist and, if the lanyard is pulled from the switch, the engine stops. 5 amp @ 12-volts.

$8.95

[derrelt]

If the switch is rated at 5 amps, there would have to be a relay in the circuit. Switch would have to control the relay. The relay could be installed it the power circuit to the motor control switch to kill all motor functions. You would need to use a relay that is sealed (incl. the connector). General Motors has a relay kit that we used a few years ago in a campaign application that would work. comes with pigtails already wired and sealed. There are 2 part numbers available: 22694036 and 88880045 (4 cyl and 6 cyl applications).

[Kurt_Loup]

I sent an email to Minn Kota's tech support about adding a kill switch. Here is their informative response: "I am sorry, but I have never heard of anyone using a kill switch on a trolling motor. I have never even heard of anyone that manufactures a kill switch for a trolling motor." My subsequent questions went unanswered despite going directly to the person who responded. I asked West Marine about the Cole Hersee switch below. They made a couple phone calls and told me it would work. That is as far as I got. The switch is $31.99. If I remember correctly, the switch was rated for 8 amps. The BR store told me they could order it for me and I could test it out and return it if it didn't work.

http://content.westmarine.com/images/catalog/full/1945740.jpg

[derrelt]

The wires don't look large enough to carry the load a motor could put on them. That is just my opinion.

[jallen355]

derrel, conventional kill switches "ground" the ignition circuit. In other words, they "complete" a circuit. Remember stepping (wearing tennis shoes, of course) on the tab to touch the spark plug of an old school edger motor??? I'm sure there's a way to wire in a relay, but what is really needed is some sort of "disconnect" since you'd have to have a relay with a duty capability of upwards of 60 amps. I don't remember the campaign kits your taking about, but look into them tomorrow. I don't think they can consisitantly pass the power needed.

[jallen355]

Oh yeah. $2k+ Hobies W/$2K+ litium power, german built trolling motors. I can see it now. Trolling motors will be tournament legal someday. Really. Just wait until that kool-aide gets passed around!! :)

[Kurt_Loup]

The wires don't look large enough to carry the load a motor could put on them. That is just my opinion.

Derrel,

What do you think is the amp draw on the non battery wires? I just hooked up my Minn Kota and disconnected the white wire from the switch. The motor stopped. Seems like you can hook the switch up to this wire rather than one to and from the battery.

[swamppro]

Why not put the kill switch on the ground side of the battery cable?

[jallen355]

Why not put the kill switch on the ground side of the battery cable?

The switch "connects" the ground. Not disconnect. The switch are NO (normally open). Grounding the ignition system is how "these" switches work.

[derrelt]

Kurt, if the white wire will stop the motor in all positions that may work. I will bring my meter home tomorrow and check the draw on it. I am going to do some digging for a complete diagram on the motor so I can see what each wire does. I read some where that the small wires were used in the low speed positions. will let you know what I find.

As far as putting the switch on the ground side, the current flow in the power and ground circuit to and from the switch will be the same. On a direct current system, what goes out must come back. If you are on low speed flowing say 10 amps, there will be 10 amps flowing any part of the circuit that is being used. If on high at 20 amps, there will be 20 amps wherever it is flowing. Hope this makes sense.

[jallen355]

If the white wire DOES kill the motor in all positions, then wiring in one of the afore mentioned kill switches inline with it would be counter productive. When it was in the normal position, the motor would NOT run. When you fell out, however, the motor would engage.....

Your still missing the point Duuurrel (affectionate name) The dang kill switches for boats are NORMALLY OPEN. Jees! Start thinking DISCONNECT, INTERRUPT, ETC!! :) We'll talk more about this conundrum tommorow..if we can catch up the one another. We'll figure this out. Then again, I don't know why. I didn't even have a dead man switch wired in that wild arse ridn' Checkmate I just sold. YeeHAAA!

P.S. "I love my job"!

[valvguy1]

Don't mean to interrupt because you guys are doing a good job of engineering this thing. Just a question though - how many amps does a typical trolling motor draw on high - any idea?

[Branch_Office]

Don't mean to interrupt because you guys are doing a good job of engineering this thing. Just a question though - how many amps does a typical trolling motor draw on high - any idea?

Pretty sure it is 20 amps.. but let the experts respond.

[valvguy1]

Maybe Battery Doc could weigh in here. He might have some type of hi amperage switch that they sell. Course....... he might be too busy managing Cody's Fishing Career now that he's an international star and all, lol.

[valvguy1]

Might Be more cost effective to wear a surfer leash.

I thought about that but I REALLY would hate to be outside the yak and not be able to get away if that motor was running. I think it would have a tendency to drag you behind it and into the prop danger zone. I just want it to stop dead until I could "reset" it.

Come to think of it I saw an "electronic tether" on one of the other websites - seems like it was a 200.00 option though.

I think you guys are on the right track with a relay.

[ijuswannafish]

After reading this thread I remembered the Ocean Kayak Torque has a kill switch installed. I sent an e-mail to their service guys to see if they could help with a list of parts and a wiring rundown for those of you with trolling motors. I will post up as soon as I hear back from them.

[derrelt]

All five terminal relays have both normaly open and normaly closed contacts inside. just depends how it is wired as to which set is use. The switch could be used to control a relay eather way. Would just have to get all the info and figure it out.

[yak-aholic]

Just curious since I know NOTHING about electrical, but what about the kill switch used on riding mowers?

[valvguy1]

It all depends on the amperage rating of the switch 20 amps is a lot that's why they are exploring relays

[Psycho Joe]

Why not just tether yourself to the bow? That way if you fall over-board you will be even with your seat while on the DRAG!

[derrelt]

If the switch closes (NC) when the key is out, you would use the NC contacts in the relay to flow the currant to the motor. When the switch is keyed, the relay would be at rest and supply power to the motor. When the key is removed power would flow through the switch contacts (about .25 amps) to the relay coil to open the contacts and killing the motor power until the key is put back. If the switch is NO you would just have to change the wiring a little to achieve the same result.

[ijuswannafish]

I sent an email to Minn Kota's tech support about adding a kill switch. Here is their informative response: "I am sorry, but I have never heard of anyone using a kill switch on a trolling motor. I have never even heard of anyone that manufactures a kill switch for a trolling motor."

I find this kind of disturbing because I contacted Ocean Kayak to see if they could help with the kill switch issue.
This is what I was told "Our motor components are actually provided by Minn Kota." If Minn Kota says they never heard of a kill switch on a trolling motor and Ocean Kayak saying they get all their components from Minn Kota. Who do we believe?