How to Choose the Best Trolling Motor Plug - Battery Tender vs Marinco

[@georgesmith7405]

my favorite boat guy Eric!

[@timd7782]

I have had two Marinco 70 amp plugs pictured in this video. I was impressed by their rugged design as you point out here. I had a whaler montauk 150 that I installed them in the front of the bow. Both suffered from a failure of the little allen set screws at the back of the receptacle. For the life of me, I cannot understand why they would make such a solid plug with very corrosion-resistant metal - EXCEPT for those little set screws. The channel that connects the center console with the bow light on a whaler montauk frequently has saltwater (or at least vapor) within. Since I could not access the rear of the receptacle in my Montauk, I could not screw down the receptable plug for a water-tight fit. So I just sealed it with two part epoxy. Still didn't help. Within a year, all those little set screws rusted and were useless. I just ordered a Battery Tender plug from your website (you have a great price on that - how do you beat Amazon?). I am hoping it stands up better than the Marinco, even though it will be on a casting deck. I will seal around the wires with 5200 sealant. I am sending back the set of Anderson plugs I got from eBay. I don't think they will be able to achieve a good seal against all the water that comes over the bow - even on my new , bigger 170 Montauk (since I boat in Boston where seas get snotty...) And those little wires that connect to the plug caps are too long and will get in the way up there and not look very good.

[@GoldenChannels]

Tim, excellent comments. As much as the Anderson plug is a good plug under dry circumstances, it really was never designed to be a marine plug. Your observations on the non corrosion resistant screws in the Marinco is new to me. Thanks for bringing that to our attention. Like I say in the video, there is no perfect trolling motor plug. I would like to hear your comments back after a year on the battery tender. It's not hard to beat A's pricing. We don't have to cover the operational costs of a 417 foot yacht. LOL.

[@JamesWhite-tg4kw]

I'm looking to replace my plug how are your plugs working out

[@daveperson1722]

Can a silicone sealant be put up into the base of the battery tender male end ?

[@mckenziekeith7434]

Do you use dielectric grease either during assembly or in regular use on the contacts?

[@GoldenChannels]

You know, Keith, that is a great question. And one that I went over with my son working on his car recently. This is one of those things that some people swear by, and others never use. I use it sometimes. When wiring a boat, if you use tinned marine grade wire, and crimps that do not allow moisture to affect the connection and are properly heat shrink sealed, putting some dielectric grease where the nuts tighten over the lugs certainly doesn't hurt. Dielectric grease is completely non conductive, so any contact that is tightened properly will displace it and should not create any issues in low voltage applications. In situations where there is direct exposure to salt air, or things like battery terminals where there is corrosion, I would always use it. I also apply it to things like automotive connectors that are exposed to water and road salt. It allows you to disconnect the connectors a lot easier. In this video I would probably not use it internally in the connector, instead paying close attention to how the thin rubber gasket is installed to try to keep moisture out. In my freshwater world, I would not generally worry about putting dielectric grease on the plug and receptacle contacts, but in a salt environment, it could help extend the plugs useful life. Just don't go crazy with it. Use sparingly.

[@fishing_life_ca]

Hi there. Thx for your movie it really helps! Just wanted to share something here: I've got an issue with marinco plug. The half of the multi-strand wire were kinda cut. And because of that after some time on the water in hot weather the motor was not working properly. When I was turning trolling motor from one side to another ant speed 5+ (Lowrance Ghost) the prop stopped working. The steering system was working at the same time. Hope it will help someone. Actually the manufacture (Lowrance in my case) recommends do not use any sockets and plugs because of multiple issues with it. Just sharing what I got from the support team.

[@GoldenChannels]

Thanks for this note! We're always interested in learning about problems. I would love some clarification. There is a plug and receptacle in the kit. Your problem occurred in the plug or receptacle? And, was the fraying where the power leads are secured in the plug with the ferrules and the allen wrench set screws? If you have a photo, I would really like to see it. My email is [e-mail]

[@Randy_Savage_ohyeah]

Can you just bypass the plug/socket and hard wire the trolling motor? Would assume you can if motor has on/off power switch like the Ghost has.

[@JamesWhite-tg4kw]

I've been thinking about bypassing the plug and just going to a breaker before the battery

[@terryogletree2128]

I've had the marinco and it was the best I've ever had cause I had never seen the battery tender

[@GoldenChannels]

Hi Terry. Thanks for your comment. I also have the marinco and it has been great for me.

[@meadrenalinejunkie]

Did I hear you correctly, the Marinco only accepts 6,8 or 4 AWG?? My terrova power wire is 10 AWG from what I was told by Minn Kota. So the marinco wont work on a lot of motors then as I suspect most minn kota's are 10AWG?

[@GoldenChannels]

Hi Brando. Not a problem using 10AWG from a Minnkota power lead with the Marinco. That is what I'm running now. The smallest ferrule will cinch down very securely. We also provide a way you can replace/upgrade that 10 AWG power lead to an 8 AWG duplex marine cable on our website. goldenchannels.com/product/minnkota-wiring-kit/

[@turts1000]

@@GoldenChannelsthanks for this info. To confirm, the 6-8AWG rating for this plug is to do with the ferrule size and the wire thickness it can accommodate? I too have an electric motor with 10AWG. Sounds like this fits ok. Could always strip the wire and double up over itself if extra thickness is needed to pad out the ferrule. Is this correct? Thankyou

[@GoldenChannels]

I maybe should have been more specific. 10AWG is sometimes used inside the trolling motor itself. Minnkota never seems to recommend using that size for supplying power to the trolling motor. Their spec is here: minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/support/trolling-motor-installation-guides/trolling-motor-wiring-and-battery-guide

[@turts1000]

@@GoldenChannels certainly acknowledge that. My electric motor brand (watersnake) however runs 10AWG right through to battery terminals with an Anderson plug part way along. My query was simply whether the Marinco 70A will accommodate the 10AWG as its 6-8AWG is, presumedly, related to the size of the wire and ferrule setup rather than load carrying. Given it’s a bit of money for the plug I want to ensure it will fit first of all. Thanks!

[@GoldenChannels]

@@turts1000 Marinco does not specify using 10AWG with this plug. Based on their data sheet specifying 8AWG at a minimum, and knowing how the ferrules crush with the screw inserts, I would not recommend using this plug with 10 AWG.

[@CHIPPOFISHING]

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[@davidboscaljon3787]

you said the Marinco can handle 4 gauge wire. I've looked up the part # it say it can handle 6 gauge. do you have away of getting this done?

[@GoldenChannels]

Hi David. Yes, the Marinco spec sheet for the product specifies this, and I have installs with this plug using 4 AWG. We ship out units with the additional 4 AWG ferrules, and can also make the cables up for you in the size. As always, we reco that you check out our trolling motor wire calculator to check the size you need here: www.goldenchannels.com/electric-trolling-motor-power-loss-calculator/

[@GoldenChannels]

David, just to be absolutely clear, the receptacle can accommodate 4AWG. The plug is designed for 6 and 8 AWG. This is normal, since the plug will need to be installed on the trolling motor leads, which are never larger anyway.

[@flatlander6928]

Just installed Marinco on a 196 bay reef. If you can’t access behind the receptacle, DONT BUY THIS, It’s a pain the a-. It’s on there I’ll use it till it quits, and find something better.

[@CHIPPOFISHING]

marinco for the win

[@winstonrocco1981]

Just hard wire it get a breaker and rock on

[@GoldenChannels]

I fully agree. Any connection can create problems. If you have the option of direct wiring anything, it is better.

[@brandonstenersen2248]

Minn Kota‘s trolling motor plug kit is better than both

[@GoldenChannels]

Yes, the Minnkota is a good plug and receptacle. It pays close attention to what we call "practicality of installation".

[@PoptartFps]

Marinco plug is garbage tried 2 different ones. Both experienced failures because the dam tiny screws strip out from vibration

[@GoldenChannels]

Interesting. Did you have the ferrules installed over the wires?

[@St0rmrider73]

The Marinco is a poor design. It’s too easy to dislodge the rubber membrane on the back of the plug and too hard to get back in.

[@GoldenChannels]

Thanks for your comments and feedback. I agree that it's hard to get that membrane back in place if it dislodges. You can, very carefully, snap the semi circle retaining clips off to help with the job, and snap them back on after you've re-seated the seal. But you have to be careful. They're easy to break.

[@fredrikandskar6578]

Marinco’s with screws that compress the sleeve around the wire is a joke! Trew that shit in the bin….

[@GoldenChannels]

Hi Fredrik. Interesting. Did you solder/tin your wires?

[@fredrikandskar6578]

@@GoldenChannels no

[@omarsheriffkaptan]

Nothing but marinco

[@GoldenChannels]

Thanks for the note. I have to say I've been happy with the one I installed in my boat. However, we're so busy here, and with our short season in Canada, it's not used as often as I'd like!

[@omarsheriffkaptan]

@@GoldenChannels Oh I see. I think people are just starting to hear of it. It’s rugged and looks like it will last a long time.