BATTERY WIRING & INSTALLATION
SELECTING THE CORRECT BATTERIES
The motor will operate with any lead acid, deep cycle marine or lithium 12 volt battery/batteries. Maintain lead acid batteries at
full charge. Lithium batteries should be stored at less than full charge and only need to be fully charged before use. Proper care
will ensure having battery power when you need it, and will significantly improve the battery life. Failure to recharge lead-acid
batteries (within 12-24 hours) is the leading cause of premature battery failure. We offer a wide selection of lead-acid chargers to
fit your charging needs. We recommend that you use separate batteries for your Minn Kota EO motor.
Advice Regarding Batteries:
• Never connect the (+) and the (–) terminals of the same battery together. Take care that no metal object can fall onto the
battery and short the terminals. This would immediately lead to a short and extreme fire danger.
• It is highly recommended that a circuit breaker or fuse be used with this trolling motor. Refer to "Conductor Gauge and Circuit
Breaker Sizing Table" in the previous section to find the appropriate circuit breaker or fuse for your motor. For motors requiring
a 60-amp breaker, the Minn Kota MKR-19 60-amp circuit breaker is recommended.
CONNECTING THE BATTERIES
12 VOLT SYSTEMS:
1. Make sure that the motor is switched off (speed selector on "OFF" or "0").
2. Connect positive ( + ) red lead to positive ( + ) battery terminal.
3. Connect negative ( – ) black lead to negative ( – ) battery terminal.
4. For safety reasons do not switch the motor on until the propeller is in the water.
CAUTION:
For safety reasons, disconnect the motor from the battery/batteries when the motor is not in use or while the
battery/batteries are being charged.
CONNECTING THE BATTERIES IN SERIES (IF REQUIRED FOR YOUR MOTOR)
24 VOLT SYSTEMS:
1. Make sure that the motor is switched off (speed selector on "0").
2. Two 12 volt batteries are required.
3. The batteries must be wired in series, only as directed in wiring
diagram, to provide 24 volts.
a. Connect a connector cable to the positive ( + ) terminal of
battery 1 and to the negative ( – ) terminal of battery 2.
b. Connect positive ( + ) red motor lead to
positive ( + ) terminal on battery 2.
c. Connect negative ( – ) black motor lead to
negative ( – ) terminal of battery 1.
4. For safety reasons do not switch the motor on until the propeller is in the water. If installing a leadwire plug, observe proper
polarity and follow instructions in your boat owner's manual. See wiring diagram on following pages.
CAUTION
• For safety reasons, disconnect the motor from the battery or batteries when the motor is not in use or while
the battery/batteries are being charged.
• Improper wiring of 24/36 volt systems could cause battery explosion!
• Keep leadwire wing nut connections tight and solid to battery terminals.
• Locate battery in a ventilated compartment.
8 | minnkotamotors.com
To motor negative
To trolling motor negative
24 Volt Connection
24 Volt Series Connection
Neg -
Pos +
Neg -
Pos +
Battery #1 (Low Side)
Battery #1 (Low Side)
24 Volt Series Connection
Two 12-volt batteries connected in series for 24 volts
+24 Volts to motor positive
+24 Volts to trolling motor
(or circuit breaker)
positive (or circuit breaker)
Neg -
Pos +
Neg -
Pos +
Battery #2 (High Side)
Battery #2 (High Side)
©2015 Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.