Connecting Breaker to Trolling motor battery

[RickOnt]

OK Fellas

What do you use?

Short piece of battery cable or??

Rick

[tugger]

Went to lowes, in the hardware section there is an area that has different sized flat steel with holes. I found one that had the correct size holes for the battery stud, cut it in half and which left one hole on each end. Deburred it with my grinder and installed it on the battery post with the other end to the breaker. I think it was $1.50 or less for 2 pcs.

[REW]

The steel plate will work, but it will rust over time.
When you are at Lowe's or similar hardware store pick up a piece of strip brass that is 1/2 or 3/4 inch wide that is about 1/8th inch thick.
Drill a hole of the right size for the battery in one end.
Drill a hole of the right size and at the right distance from the terminal to allow connection of the circuit breaker.

Bolt the circuit breaker to the brass strap.
Then, bolt the strap breaker, wire to the battery.

Good luck
REW

[reddog]

My breaker came with a flat bar predrilled


What about pounding flat a 3 inch piece of 1/2 inch copper pipe and drilling it?

[tugger]

REW

Thought I was doing well till I read your response. Oh well, the steel should last for the year and I'll do the brass next year. Great idea

[CI_Guy]

I cut 2" pieces off some 1/2" copper water pipe, then flattened them with a hammer and drilled the correct size holes on each end. They've been in the boat 6 years and the only time I've touched them was when I put new batteries in.

[goldman]

Originally Posted by tugger

REW

Thought I was doing well till I read your response. Oh well, the steel should last for the year and I'll do the brass next year. Great idea

Just keep it coated with grease of some sort. Vaseline works, or you can buy the dialectric greese too.

Paul

[tugger]

Originally Posted by goldman

Just keep it coated with grease of some sort. Vaseline works, or you can buy the dialectric greese too.

Paul

[Modog]

I was under the impression that all positive battery terminals and any other un-fused, exposed positive leads must be insulated or protected to prevent accidental arcing.
Is this correct?
If so, how do you guys provide the insulation to the flat copper bars?

[tugger]

Mine is coming of the negative battery post....perhaps that's wrong but I didnt think it mattered as long as the breaker was in the cahin? Not much opportunity for arching in the battery bay IMO but I hear ya.