Trolling motor wire question

[RUGER]

Ok I bought a new trolling motor from someone on here.
It is a 12 volt motorguide.
It has a male plug already attached to the end of the wire.

My boat was not set up to accept a plug so I went yesterday and bought a male and female plug.
I am going to mount the one with the cover on the deck of my boat and then attach the other one to the existing wire on the trolling motor.

The plug on the motor contains 3 wires.
I am assuming one of them is a ground?

My question is, can I cut the plug off, find out which is positive and negative and then just tape off the third wire?

The plug I bought only has two wires.

 

[TNLynn]

Are you sure it is a 12 volt? All 12 volt trolling motors I have owned only have 2 wires!

 

[RUGER]

That was my first question and I looked on the motor and it does say 12 volt.
I have never seen one with 3 wires myself.

 

[Crappie Luck]

Does it have a light, gps or other feature? that third wire may be a pos for something other than the motor.

I'd hook up one pos and neg and see what works and what doesn't. Then hook up the other.

 

[mike243]

Call the maker & ask.hate to burn a board or something

 

[Kirk]

You have to extra careful with trolling motors. They have boards and switches in them that can short out if wired wrong. A friend of mine is a certified factory repair technician for Minnkota.

If you know the brand and model of the one you bought let me know what it is. I can find out out what the 3rd wire is.

 

[Unicam]

IDGIT!

 

[Unicam]

Go to whatever brand it is website and download the wiring diagram. Almost all of them have them availiable.

 

[Kimber45]

IDGIT!

 

[goblrhntr]

Sounds like it is using a standard plug for a 12/24V motor. If it is truly only a 12V i bet you find that 3rd prong is not connected to a wire. Most boats with a built in female receptacle uses this type.

 

[shorefisherman]

.. ive seen trollin motors rigged up with extention cord plugs like on a 110v ac just to use the connectors, i bet the third wire is dead.....

 

[shorefisherman]

also if it aint a 5,000 dollar trollin motor , dont be afraid to hook them wires backwards....you got 50/50 chance. it will either run correct or it will run backwards...thats how dc motors work like a window motor

 

[RUGER]

Well the third wire not being connected answers are the winners.

Got home yesterday and took a GOOD look at the wire and plug.

It had been added from about a foot on down.
Third wire was not connected to the actual motor wiring.

Thanks guys.