CHEAP Battery box build for kayak trolling motor - splicing with Kuject

I wanted to do this as cheaply and as easily as possible since it was my first time building a battery box. Figured it was easier to buy the female & male SAE ports and then just splice the trolling motor wires to the male port and crimp ring terminals on the inside of the battery box from the female port. Found these Kuject sleeves that seem to provide a pretty good connection. Even though the box is not completely waterproof, it should do its job in protecting the battery from splashes. The battery is a 12v SLA 35ah and the circuit breaker is 30A (a little higher than the 20amps the watersnake T24 draws on high). Altogether, this cost me about $145 to make. When you add the charger ($30) and include the price of the watersnake T24 trolling motor ($170) you are looking at a complete build costing around $350.
Here's some affiliate links:
$20 Circuit Breaker: amzn.to/3fHFeTe
$9 Battery box: amzn.to/3GLhBFb
$10 Kuject sleeves for splicing: amzn.to/3fG3dSQ
$15 SAE ports (you could use 12AWG if can find cheaper): amzn.to/3fHyDIo
$90 12v SLA 35ah battery: amzn.to/3IoefbI
$27 battery charger: amzn.to/3FP4gdr
Lubriplate (for prevent corrosion): amzn.to/3FKjQaj
Alien Tape: amzn.to/3fHHfyA
#batteryboxbuild #trollingmotor #kayakbattery

[@mikepitzer6062]

Nice build and design. Just what Inwas looking for

[@PeterRanieriII]

Thanks, glad to hear it could help you!

[@FishinAccomplished]

Thanks for showing your setup Peter! I definitely need to up my electronics game when things start to cool down this winter! I'm hoping to take up a few projects to up my rig for the 2022 season, and this will definitely help me prepare!

[@PeterRanieriII]

You got it man! Hope it could help ya at least get a general idea of what it takes and how it works. For sure it helps to at least have a basic understanding, I liken it to knowing about gas powered motors on a boat, although they are way more complicated, if you have a bit of knowledge on how it works then it’s an added peace of mind out there on the water that you may be able to troubleshoot yourself if something happens. I’ll be looking for your projects 👍

[@LI-FLKayakFisherman]

Nice job! Spray everything with Boeshield T-9 to prevent corrosion.

[@PeterRanieriII]

Thanks! Will do! I love that stuff too, been using it on the mirage drive like you suggested, smells like a new bike chain, lol. We'll see how long this battery setup lasts, that will be the true test 🤞

[@joegiglio7390]

Hey Peter. Love your vids. I could use some of your knowledge. I have a hobie outback and I'm looking to buy a t24 watersnake motor and was wondering how you feel about the battery you have. How's the weight affect your stability and how long does the 35 ah battery allow you to run. Thanks and keep the vids coming

[@PeterRanieriII]

Hey Joe, happy to hear this and offer my personal experience: the battery in this video I no longer use. I ended up getting a 80ah lithium battery and have used it for probably almost 2 seasons without any issues. I found it on aliexpress for like 250$ and now they are probably even cheaper. I would recommend to get at least 60ah, even though the T24 doesn't draw too much power, I think 60-100ah will allow you that ability to run it without worry for a full day. The weight of the battery is probably around 15lbs and its really not too bad when i keep it right behind my seat, i don't notice much difference in stability, its just a little more of a pain to carry around off the water.

[@joegiglio7390]

Thanks so much Peter. I'll take your advice. Good luck this spring and maybe I'll see you out on the water. Stay safe

[@PeterRanieriII]

@@joegiglio7390 best of luck to you as well, hope to see ya out there