Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › Question for Basscat regarding trolling motor plug wiring:
Pretty sure the plug receptacle is wired at the factory. Can you tell me why on the 4-prong plug, BassCat uses the terminals that would normally be the 12V wiring. The terminals used are Battery A positive and Battery A negative. This puts the “slots” for the plug as the “L” shaped (for the ground) and the one immediately next to it in a clockwise rotation for the positive feed. The plug, when wired to match the receptacle, uses the “ground” connection and the “12V” connection instead of the “24V” connection. Its no biggee as any of the prongs/terminals can carry the voltage needed for the trolling motor so it doesnt effect the trolling motor or the batteries. However, for us that do service work on trolling motors and have our benches rigged with the 4 prong plug receptacle for testing, we have to undo and rewire to each Basscat plug to get the universally correct configuration. Just curious as to if there was a reason.JohnJones Trolling Motor Services870 773 3474Motorguide/MinnKota/PowerPole/Lowrance/Humminbird
I dont like any of the plugs and replace them with 100 amp lugs. I have yet to have a breaker trip in the pads or after running the trolling motor on 100% for an extended period of time (when Im sight fishing). Ive also been known to throw a couple extra batteries in the boat and switch them out when Im looking for fatties on the beds. Before I started using the lugs instead of the plug I would have the breaker tripped numerous times and have even melted a couple plugs one in a ranger and one in the sabre I used to have. A lot of people have told me that it shouldnt make a difference but I know it does.
Toadrustler wrote:I dont like any of the plugs and replace them with 100 amp lugs. I have yet to have a breaker trip in the pads or after running the trolling motor on 100% for an extended period of time (when Im sight fishing). Ive also been known to throw a couple extra batteries in the boat and switch them out when Im looking for fatties on the beds. Before I started using the lugs instead of the plug I would have the breaker tripped numerous times and have even melted a couple plugs one in a ranger and one in the sabre I used to have. A lot of people have told me that it shouldnt make a difference but I know it does. Are you running a 24v or 36v? When I had a 24v the wires would get hot on a long run at max and sometimes trip a breaker. Not hot enough to melt but hot to touch. Since going to 36v the wires do not get hot and have never tripped a breaker even with a mile at max.
Im running an 80# fortrex. I believe 24 volt pulls more amps than 36. But since Ive started using lugs breaker never trips. I never check the temp of the wires.
Toad. Are you running the heavy duty lug breaker made my MinKota. Best I remember I think its a 60 amp. These are definitely beefy looking breakers. Ive never tripped a breaker on the p2. Though on my older Caracal it was a common occurrence. I do keep a couple factory style spares in my little ” Need to have box”.2013 PANTERA 2MERCURY 200 PRO XSMINNKOTA 80LB FORTREX25 fury
Yes, that is the legs on the receptacle that the original 12 volt lines came into, and since they are only using two wires they placed them on the lower numbered legs for easy identification and training.
Red I have whatever breaker came from the factory. Its a 50 amp. It would only trip after an hour or two straight at 100%. Or a good 100% blast through really thick pads. It doesnt trip any more with the 100 amp lugs. By no means am I knocking the way Basscat does it. I feel I just put more pressure on the trolling motor than most.
Bass Cat Boats wrote:Yes, that is the legs on the receptacle that the original 12 volt lines came into, and since they are only using two wires they placed them on the lower numbered legs for easy identification and training.Thanks Basscat. Sounds like it is simplier for yall to wire it that way. Sure does cause a hassle when diagnosing/repairing problems, or even if someone wants to swap to a buddies spare motor when it isnt wired “standard”.Jones Trolling Motor Services870 773 3474Motorguide/MinnKota/PowerPole/Lowrance/Humminbird
© 2026 Bass Cat Boats

