Wiring 2 Big John Dowriggers

Hey guys, just bought 2 used Big Johns, both have what look like 2-prong plugs (almost like a household lamp cord) I have a cranking battery in the rear, and to deep cycle 12Vs up front that power the 24V Minn Kota. It seems to make sense to me that, since I wont be using the Minn Kota when trolling, that I run the power from the bow to the back for the downriggers, but what marine-grade option is there for the female end I need to rig? Should the plug be switched to something else...like the 1/4-turn Minn Kota style? Also, the boat is 20' long, so the power I run needs to travel about that far. Will too much be lost? I'm guessing with the proper gauge of marine-grade wire, it'll work fine.

Also, I haven't been in a boat with downriggers for probably 20 years...and am puzzled by the fact that one of the aluminum bases holds the downrigger square, the other @ about 45 degrees. What is the purpose of that? I'll see if I can dig-up the photos.

Which battery is getting the charge from the motor when you are trolling? That is the 12v battery you want to connect to even if it is the starting battery. Keep in mind you can always beef that battery up a bit.

I have two big john brutes and they will quickly wipe out a battery that isn't getting charged constantly. Match the same wire the downrigger uses and fuse it with a 50 amp fuse or breaker. Depending on the gauge of feed wire, you have some options. I used twist lock trolling motor plugs and have had no issue.

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Originally Posted by Big Jack

Which battery is getting the charge from the motor when you are trolling? That is the 12v battery you want to connect to even if it is the starting battery. Keep in mind you can always beef that battery up a bit.

I have two big john brutes and they will quickly wipe out a battery that isn't getting charged constantly. Match the same wire the downrigger uses and fuse it with a 50 amp fuse or breaker. Depending on the gauge of feed wire, you have some options. I used twist lock trolling motor plugs and have had no issue.

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I would do the same sorter the run of wire better and alway to the battery that is being charged.last thing you want to do is row row row your boat.Or call for help and get the tow of same back to port because of a dead battery.been there done that even when the motor over heated it is still not a nice feeling getting towed back.

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated. Brings me to the next question~the cranking battery is connected to 90hp Merc which for now, will be the motor I'll troll with. In time, I'll add a second motor if I really enjoy it but for now...may use a drift sock (or two) to slow it to trolling speeds~something my walleye-fishing buddies do. (anyone else do this?) So, at low speed, do you guys suggesting that your motor is charging the battery at a rate sufficient to keep the downriggers functioning?

Makes me wonder if I should have booster cables with 20' cords on board just in case!

Your 90 should charge the battery at idle and at trolling speeds just fine . The riggers will not be used all the time so up or down is not going to drain the battery. You can use an extension cord just cut the male end off and connect it to the battery

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Originally Posted by sambo

Your 90 should charge the battery at idle and at trolling speeds just fine . The riggers will not be used all the time so up or down is not going to drain the battery. You can use an extension cord just cut the male end off and connect it to the battery

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It's that simple?

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Originally Posted by GrouseWhisperer

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated. Brings me to the next question~the cranking battery is connected to 90hp Merc which for now, will be the motor I'll troll with. In time, I'll add a second motor if I really enjoy it but for now...may use a drift sock (or two) to slow it to trolling speeds~something my walleye-fishing buddies do. (anyone else do this?) So, at low speed, do you guys suggesting that your motor is charging the battery at a rate sufficient to keep the downriggers functioning?

Makes me wonder if I should have booster cables with 20' cords on board just in case!

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That 90 likely charges at 20 amp at least. Idle will charge well - no need for jumper IMO.

One drift sock on each corner will slow you down alright. Got a buddy in swift current that trols with a 150 and he uses two 5 gal pails!

Thanks for the advice guys, greatly appreciated!

Here is a photo of one of the downriggers, and one of the bases. This base has a fixed top that is positioned 45 degrees from the bottom, the other has a top and bottom that are square with one another. Any reason one boat would have one of each style? Are these good bases?

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...downrigger.jpg

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...ownrigger2.jpg

I like the Marinco brand products, I'd look for one of those for the plug.

i'll just add that appropriate wire gauge should be calculated when the the length of the wire increases:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...ge=Marine-Wire

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.

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Originally Posted by GrouseWhisperer

It's that simple?

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it is.... And if they go down when you want up.... You 180 the plug on the rigger( half turn then plug back in)...

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

I left a email/message on the Big Jon site yesterday and they called me back in the afternoon. I have an older set of outriggers when they were wiring them from the factory with the old 2 prong grey household cord & receptacle using 20 gauge wire. They recommended on the phone re-wiring the whole setup to 12 or 14 gauge wire with a 15 amp fuse. Anyone using 12 gauge - interested to see what plug/receptacle you're using? I can only find accessory/Trolling motor plugs in 8 or 10 AWG.

Hey guys~this thread is from 2012, and I just got 2 PMs about it! The downriggers (and the boat) are long gone unfortunately. Thanks for the help though.

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Originally Posted by RTRonthefly

I left a email/message on the Big Jon site yesterday and they called me back in the afternoon. I have an older set of outriggers when they were wiring them from the factory with the old 2 prong grey household cord & receptacle using 20 gauge wire. They recommended on the phone re-wiring the whole setup to 12 or 14 gauge wire with a 15 amp fuse. Anyone using 12 gauge - interested to see what plug/receptacle you're using? I can only find accessory/Trolling motor plugs in 8 or 10 AWG.

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Wow they must be ancient!

I had one set of plugs and sockets that were for 14 gauge. Round metal units.

How many you need? They would be free if they work for you.

Thanks,

I'm looking for 2 sets for my downriggers.

I was thinking of just using either the pond prowler TM plug/receptacle from Bass Pro in 10ga and just crimping in the 12ga

or

trying the cigarette style accessory plug and receptacle..