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10
Wiring Your Downrigger
Your Boat's Electrical Condition
It is important to make sure that your boat is
properly set up before installing your Mag 20 DT
with Positive Ion Control (PIC). Whenever a boat
is in water, various submerged parts interact to
create weak electrical currents. These weak
electrical currents must be controlled to extend
the life of the boat's metal parts and ensure a
good fish catching environment.
Check the zinc sacrificial anodes on your boat
and on the outboard/outdrive. If they are more
than 50% dissolved they should be replaced. Any
coating of slime or growth should be cleaned off.
All metal parts including the hull (if metal) must be
interconnected by a grounding wire. This includes
motor shafts, outdrives, and through hull fittings.
If your boat and zincs are set up correctly, the
voltage on the stainless steel downrigger wire of
your Mag 20 DT should be positive when in
contact with the water. The following tips can be
useful:
• Use Cannon vinyl coated lead weights. Lead,
if not pure, can produce negative charges.
• Use the trolling weight insulators supplied with
your downrigger. This insulates your weight
from the positive charge on the cable. This will
also ensure that the trolling weight will stop at
water level when retrieved.
• The cable on your downrigger should be
replaced every 2 years. Etching of the cable
can weaken it physically and electrically.
• In saltwater, make sure the sacrificial zincs
are replaced when half dissolved. This
ensures that the boat will run with a neutral or
slightly positive charge. Clean zincs on a
regular basis with a non-corrosive brush.
• Always make sure the boat is properly
grounded to the water. This will help ensure
proper PIC voltage on the cable and that the
Short Stop will function properly.
Note: You must unplug the Mag 20 DT to check
the natural voltage on the reel cable.
Electrical Specifications & Wiring
Instructions
The Mag 20 DT is rated at 25 amps (full load),
12 volts DC and is protected by a 30 amp manual
reset circuit breaker (located under motor housing).
Be sure to measure the battery voltage of your boat.
WARNING! - DO NOT RUN THIS DOWNRIGGER
ON A 24 VOLT BATTERY SYSTEM. THIS WILL
DAMAGE THE UNIT AND VOID YOUR
WARRANTY.
Connecting to the Battery:
It is strongly recommended that a fuse or
manual-reset circuit breaker be installed at the
battery on the positive lead of the power cable or
that you connect the downrigger to a battery
selector switch. (See Fuse and Wire Specifications)
Connect the positive lead (RED) to the (+) post on
your battery or the downrigger will not operate. Use
the new quick disconnect plug to remove the
downrigger without touching the battery.
NOTE: It is strongly recommended to power your
Mag 20 DT with a Deep-Cycle marine battery. Only
run a Mag 20 DT from a Starter battery if is
recharged by an alternator while trolling with the
outboard motor.
Tip: Control degradation of the power cables and
limit corrosion by using Cannon Ox-Not anti-
oxidant gel on all connections.
WIRING YOUR DOWNRIGGER