Thread: Connecting two electric motors

Hello everyone,
I tried a search, but found nothing. I am going to build a reservoir boat, ( no gas allowed) I have a Minn kota endura50, considering getting a second, is there any commercial available means to connect two motors twist grip controls to one tiller handle. I am not worried about electrical connections, just how to control two motors by one tiller.

Thanks,
Tom

You can try and make a four bar linkage that will turn the motors in tandem. With a little extra work, you can make the center handle so it will rotate and attach it to each tiller handle so they will rotate together to control the speed. It is easier to attach the four bar steering linkage to the motor shafts and use an external PWM controller to adjust the speed.

I'm not aware of a commercial device that will do this.

I doubt you'd be very happy with such an arrangement. Turning range would be very limited, and minimum thrust would be more than you'd need on a calm day.

Locking one straight ahead and using it only when you are wanting to move from place to place and steering with the other will work.

I'm not sure why you want to run 2 motors, is it for more speed? If so, it might not be practical. Do a search on "hull speed", boat designs have a maximum hull speed that they can reach without getting up on plane. If you don't have the required HP to get the boat on plane, a 5 HP motor could push the boat as fast as a 20 HP motor.

Originally Posted by Shellback

I'm not sure why you want to run 2 motors, is it for more speed? If so, it might not be practical. Do a search on "hull speed", boat designs have a maximum hull speed that they can reach without getting up on plane. If you don't have the required HP to get the boat on plane, a 5 HP motor could push the boat as fast as a 20 HP motor.

One of the reservoirs is 5+ miles in length, so from point A to B is my concern.

I am looking at a Torqeedo outboard,,, but If I can get a second 50lbs thrust, and make it work, it would save $$$$$$. ( Have wife who is way to nosy into the cost of things)

My plans are tentatively, 17-18ft Jon boat, I have a family of four, used on a reservoir, little or no current, but breezy some times, mostly fishing for pan fish for now.

Thanks,
Tom

Originally Posted by CatFan

I doubt you'd be very happy with such an arrangement. Turning range would be very limited, and minimum thrust would be more than you'd need on a calm day.

Locking one straight ahead and using it only when you are wanting to move from place to place and steering with the other will work.

The one motor steering would act fine? Would it be better for the motors to be as close as possible, or spaced out equal lengths from centerline, or steering motor centered, and the other out to on side? Sorry about so many questions, but I am used to larger gas powered boats on the lake Huron.

Thanks,
Tom

Originally Posted by THier

The one motor steering would act fine? Would it be better for the motors to be as close as possible, or spaced out equal lengths from centerline, or steering motor centered, and the other out to on side? Sorry about so many questions, but I am used to larger gas powered boats on the lake Huron.

Thanks,
Tom

We used to do it on a boat with one TM at the front and one at the back. Steering at the front worked really well, since you can fish while manuvering the boat. TMs don't have a big rudder, so most of the steering comes from actually directing the thrust to the side, kind of like an outboard at low speed. I know BPS used to sell an adapter to put a transom mount motor on the bow, and the head can be spun around to face you.

I've seen several multi-motor setups while I was in FL and lots of the waters were small and the retirees were frugal and inventive. One of the best had an extra rudder attached to the shaft of the rear motor, thereby giving it a better signature and cutting way down on blowing around. The front motor brackets are the way to go if you don't have a bow mount. All the rigs had two equal power motors front and rear, and were 12v systems with 2 or 3 batts rigged in parallel. Coolest one was a 14 foot toon all electric setup, must have been related to Cane Pole cuz this was done right. Good luck with your rig, lots of fun workin it all out.

I think you could mount your Endura on the transom and lock the steering dead ahead. Then mount a Powerdrive motor on the bow for the additional power and to steer the boat. You could sit in the stern and control the transom mount speed by hand, and then steer the boat and control the bowmount power with the foot pedal. Once at your fishing location, you could choose either motor for poking around cover.