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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 10HS \
Mag 10TS \ Mag 5HS with Positive Ion Control.
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 spool wire of
your downrigger 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 two 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.
Electrical Specifications & Wiring
Instructions
The Mag 10HS \ Mag 10TS \ Mag 5HS are
rated at 25 amps (full load), 12 volts DC and is
protected by a 30 amp manual reset circuit
breaker. 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 below.)
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.
Tip: Control degradation of the power cables and
limit corrosion by using Cannon Ox-Not anti-
oxidant gel on all connections.
FUSE / BREAKER SPECIFICATIONS:
30 Amp, 32 Volt, waterproof, fast blow.
WIRE SPECIFICATIONS:
0-15 ft. (0-5 meters) 10 gauge
15-25 ft. (5-8 meters) 8 gauge
25-30 ft. (8-9 meters) 6 gauge
CAUTION: When using wire longer than that
provided with your unit, follow the above chart.
When running more than 30 feet from the battery,
contact a qualified electrician.
Note: Your Mag 10HS \ Mag 10TS \ Mag 5HS must be unplugged to
check the natural voltage on the stainless steel cable.
Battery
Fuse Holder
Battery
Circuit Breaker
WIRING YOUR DOWNRIGGER