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I had big johns on my old boat, and I just wired 12 v to a 110 socket and mounted it in a pvc box to make adding and removing the riggers easy. With an outdoor cover on the pvc box there were no issues with water when the riggers werent plugged in.
Only thing you need to do is mark the plugs once they are set to ensure the correct polarity or up becomes down and vise versa. Get them set and mark one side of the box and plug so you know you have them right every time.
Would like to re-hash the thread....
I also have 2 Big John's with the 2 prong receptacle. I was looking to change the connections to a trolling motor plug style. I cut the existing 2 prong off 1 of the riggers to see what the wire sizing was, as I was looking at a 8 - 10 gauge trolling motor plug. It looks like the wire is 20 gauge??? Does that make any sense? It seems undersized for the electric rigger? Would you open up the switch up and re-wire the whole thing? Curious what people have done & if the 2 prong is factory wired?
That's nuts. I would go with at least 14 ga stranded. You can buy the good stuff by the foot at West Marine. It's tinned copper stranded wire, black and red.
it is.... And if they go down when you want up.... You 180 the plug on the rigger( half turn then plug back in)...Quote:
Originally Posted by GrouseWhisperer
for the bases just buy swivells..and ur riggers will be good...just dont plug the riggers into house hold current..as they will burn out..they are only 12 volt...just a reminder
Any idea what the current draw from the motor is on the Big Jon Down Riggers? I know their web site has parts drawings, and a generic statement in the online manual referencing #10AWG and a 15 amp fuse ...
With a 90 HP motor you should definitely use your starting battery to power the riggers. The charging unit on your motor should keep the battery charged. One of the responders said to use a 50 amp fuse, I think that was a typing error at most I would use a 10 amp fuse. The type of plug is up to you and what ever you are comfortable with.
AA
are 15 horse pro kicker will keep the battery up all day with two riggers running so your 90 should be fine we run the two prong plug with no problems DUTCH
Looking at the pictures the one base is definitely fixed. You can mount the rigger directly to the base and simply lift the boom when you want to change anything. I found it easier to spend a little extra and put a swivel base on the fixed base, this allows you to rotate the rigger for easier access to the end of the boom. The other base looks like it has a unique to BIG JON clamp. I don't know why it is at 45*. See my PM
Guys many big johns spec a 50 amp fuse. I have owned more downriggers than I care to recall. The 15 amp plug will work but keep in mind that those plugs are rated at 15 amps at 115VAC (1725VA) which should not be confused with 15 amps at 12VDC(180VA).
When the downriggers are under load, they pull a lot of amperage especially at surge.
With regards to using starting battery for downriggers, it is fine as long as your kicker or main is constantly running to keep the battery topped up and you have a decent battery. If you have a fishfinder watch the voltage readout.
So what happens when you go undersized?
I watched a 25amp fuse disintegrate under load and darn near catch fire. Wiring will also get hot. Performance of rigger motor will not be as good as it should be.
Fuse at 50 amp and run 8 or 10 gauge wire. Good setup for riggers