MyFishFinder Forum
My Fish Finder Main => General Fishing Discussion => Topic started by: Frankie Bags on Aug 13, 2019, 07:29 PM
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I like the idea of having brushless trolling motors. I wish they had the option to purchase without the built in transducer. Your paying for a lot for something you can’t use unless you have a compatible sonar unit. I’m sure that’s the idea. Still amazing motors.
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Totally agree. I hear a lot about MK's newer motors having issues. This is sweet and good timing for me, but I am pretty sure they are going to target the bass fishing market first as I'm sure it's the bread and butter. I will be buying a system this coming spring for use on my coldwater trolling boat as an autopilot in conjunction with my gas kicker, and brushless would be great if it increases efficiency. Hoping they make some auto deploy models like the MK Ulterra which has been leading the pack for me. I'd like to have a Lowrance option and a Garmin is very interesting.
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Totally agree. I hear a lot about MK's newer motors having issues. This is sweet and good timing for me, but I am pretty sure they are going to target the bass fishing market first as I'm sure it's the bread and butter. I will be buying a system this coming spring for use on my coldwater trolling boat as an autopilot in conjunction with my gas kicker, and brushless would be great if it increases efficiency. Hoping they make some auto deploy models like the MK Ulterra which has been leading the pack for me. I'd like to have a Lowrance option.
The Ultera is where they have had the majority of their problems Geoff.
That auto deploy/stow feature goes to crap and you then have a unit you cannot pull out of the water for the ride back into the dock.
If you get one, be sure to mount it on a quick release mount system. Just in case.
Getting older, hauling up the 24VDC Terrova I have in rough seas is a scary deal.
A 36VDC unit would be even more fun.
I would love an auto deploy/stow Ultera, but not currently.
However, my Terova is an older unit.
The new ones have a lift assist device that helps with the weight of the unit.
Still, standing up front on the bow in 3-4' seas pulling up that motor with my 63 year old legs is scary.
I remember fishing with my dad when I was in my early 30's and watching him struggle walking around my 25' boat in relatively calm 1-2' waves.
He swore about it commenting, "I spent years in the Navy in all that rough water and I can't walk around here in this stuff to save my a$$".
Now I know what he spoke about.
Older and more feeble.
And he was the guy I inherited the neuropathy from too.
In any event, I wish they could get the problems sorted out on the Ultera.
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I don't see how a quick release mount would help if the auto deploy/stow failed since the quick release plates (I have them on both my PowerDrive units currently) need to slide inboard. They have a stop that prevents the quick release from going outboard. So if it fails while deployed and it can't stow or move up manually I don't think you can remove the motor with the QR plate. And I was worried about that, so back to the top of the list goes the Terrova.
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Thats why I like my Riptide quick release. Its just a square the troller sits on rather than a slide! Granted I dont have to worry about auto deploy and stow. That's too fancy for me.
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I don't see how a quick release mount would help if the auto deploy/stow failed since the quick release plates (I have them on both my PowerDrive units currently) need to slide inboard. They have a stop that prevents the quick release from going outboard. So if it fails while deployed and it can't stow or move up manually I don't think you can remove the motor with the QR plate. And I was worried about that, so back to the top of the list goes the Terrova.
You’re right Geoff.
It does slide aft.
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Thats why I like my Riptide quick release. Its just a square the troller sits on rather than a slide! Granted I dont have to worry about auto deploy and stow. That's too fancy for me.
That does seem better. It's kind of unwieldy to put the motor on my Sylvan when it's on the trailer and I'm on the ground. Little easier to do from inside the boat though.
The more I look the more excited I am about the Garmin system. I have both HB and Lowrance graphs right now and to be honest I'm not completely pleased with either one. I would be more than happy to move to another brand.
Does anyone know how the mapping software is with Garmin? I know they are leaders in GPS and maps, but bathemetry may be different. I want the best bathymetric charts out there. I know with GPS's the Garmins use a different vector file for maps than HB and Lowrance. I am sure that is by design. I don't think that Navionics works with Garmin but I may be wrong.
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The mapping on my panoptix is good.
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The lift assist on the Terrova does work very well. One thing about electronics theses days, it's constantly changing. If you don't like something that's offered today, pause, and they'll have something different tomorrow.
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The mapping on my panoptix is good.
Was it included or do you buy maps separately? And what head unit did you get for the Panoptix? If you don't mind me asking.
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$3000?? No thanks. I have less than that in my boat with an i-pilot. Besides remote failure I haven't had any issues.
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Was it included or do you buy maps separately? And what head unit did you get for the Panoptix? If you don't mind me asking.
Had them included. I think its a 93cv plus...something like that. 9" touch screen.
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That does seem better. It's kind of unwieldy to put the motor on my Sylvan when it's on the trailer and I'm on the ground. Little easier to do from inside the boat though.
The more I look the more excited I am about the Garmin system. I have both HB and Lowrance graphs right now and to be honest I'm not completely pleased with either one. I would be more than happy to move to another brand.
Does anyone know how the mapping software is with Garmin? I know they are leaders in GPS and maps, but bathemetry may be different. I want the best bathymetric charts out there. I know with GPS's the Garmins use a different vector file for maps than HB and Lowrance. I am sure that is by design. I don't think that Navionics works with Garmin but I may be wrong.
Navionics merged with Garmin, Go on Navionics home page to learn more. You can upload new maps on older units.
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Just an update to this old post, I have ordered and it may possibly be in today, a Minn Kota Ulterra, 36v, 112lb thrust, 60" shaft, with i-pilot link.
I seriously looked hard at the options from both Garmin and Lowrance but it is clear they don't have any interest in anything other than the bass boat/deck mount market. I can't use a motor that is a deck mount with a rope retrieve on my extremely deep V boat. Motorguide has a nice option but I think I am sold on the functionality of the i-pilot and would like the networking of the graph. Unfortunately I am married to Humminbird for a graph but I think I will just get a simple Helix 10 Mega with GPS only, and down the road I will get something Garmin offers for a second graph that I can add Panoptix to for hardwater.
Taking quite the chance on Minn Kotas most expensive, problematic, and complained about motor, but if it works I will be a very happy man. I would love to be able to keep my bow enclosure on during the colder part of the season and operate the motor from the cockpit. We will see...
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Just an update to this old post, I have ordered and it may possibly be in today, a Minn Kota Ulterra, 36v, 112lb thrust, 60" shaft, with i-pilot link.
I seriously looked hard at the options from both Garmin and Lowrance but it is clear they don't have any interest in anything other than the bass boat/deck mount market. I can't use a motor that is a deck mount with a rope retrieve on my extremely deep V boat. Motorguide has a nice option but I think I am sold on the functionality of the i-pilot and would like the networking of the graph. Unfortunately I am married to Humminbird for a graph but I think I will just get a simple Helix 10 Mega with GPS only, and down the road I will get something Garmin offers for a second graph that I can add Panoptix to for hardwater.
Taking quite the chance on Minn Kotas most expensive, problematic, and complained about motor, but if it works I will be a very happy man. I would love to be able to keep my bow enclosure on during the colder part of the season and operate the motor from the cockpit. We will see...
Keep us (me ;)) posted on this please Geoff.
I'm also considering the Ultera for my 21' Trophy, but because of the deploy/store issues they have I may decide to stick with the Terova like I had on my Lund.
I have searched the internet hard over the past month or so trying to find info on Minn Kota having fixed the problem but I cannot find anything concrete.
You like to think that they have corrected or strengthened whatever was causing the issues.
And nobody rarely complains or documents success on something.
You only hear about things like this when people have trouble.
I even tried reaching out to Minn Kota tech support but they really didn't tell me anything.
Good luck and keep us updated.
Mac
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My partner has the auto deploy 60" on a 21 starcraft and yes we have had a few instances where it didn't deploy or lift. If not deploying make sure everything is clear around it and pull on it. Seems to work most of the time we had an issue. Not lifting again make sure nothing is around it and check for weeds or anything else near the head. We fished three times in the past two weeks with no issues and spot lock is awesome. Anchoring front and back is still more stable on a calm day or w light variable wind but I'll take a little swing over anchor hauling any day.
I just ordered the salt series terova Ipilot with 72" and just lift assist after getting very frustrated with is a few times and went w the HB helix with DI figuring I like to fish deep most of the time. Putting it on a Key West 211DC
if they had a lift override option I would have gone with the auto.
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Keep us (me ;)) posted on this please Geoff.
I'm also considering the Ultera for my 21' Trophy, but because of the deploy/store issues they have I may decide to stick with the Terova like I had on my Lund.
I have searched the internet hard over the past month or so trying to find info on Minn Kota having fixed the problem but I cannot find anything concrete.
You like to think that they have corrected or strengthened whatever was causing the issues.
And nobody rarely complains or documents success on something.
You only hear about things like this when people have trouble.
I even tried reaching out to Minn Kota tech support but they really didn't tell me anything.
Good luck and keep us updated.
Mac
Yeah, exactly, my only point of actual reference is a guide I talked to in Maine and he said he has used his Ulterra for 2 years without any issues. He's primarily a striper fly fish guide off the coast of Maine and says it's one of the best things he's ever done. Also my local dealer/marina is a big Lund and Minn Kota dealer and they say they haven't had any issues and have sold quite a few of them. The only caveat there is they aren't a certified Minn Kota repair shop, so anything that would happen out of warranty wouldn't go through them.
I'm rolling the dice, and it's a big roll, but the only options for me were a Terrova or an Ulterra for me, and I had a hard time not spending the extra $500 based on a few negative reviews online. I have to imagine there are more happy owners than unhappy, but maybe I'm kidding myself.
if they had a lift override option I would have gone with the auto.
I know, why don't they just make that part of the system? Save a lot of worry.
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I bought the ipilot model and love the spot lock. Have not put it to my helix 7 yet to use other functionality but one day after I get some of the lake mapped and want the follow the contour I will link them together already have the cable and all just to lazy to get it all hooked up. But have hooked my other hummingbird color fish finder to it and it works good for that.
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I'll need the 72" shaft for my Trophy for sure.
Thanks for the info Geoff.
Keep me posted on how it works out for you.
I might need to wait until next year to add mine.
I have way too much other stuff ($$$) to add this summer before I can pony up the cash for the ipilot.
But I will definitely be adding either an Ultera or a Terova.
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The other thing I don't like is not being able to turn the trolling motor on from the fob. You have to go up to it and hit the button. Only once for the day but still my 2011 riptide could be turned on with the fob.
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Going to pick it up from work in about 15 minutes. Gonna be an expensive afternoon.
Mac, I believe they just came out with a Riptide Terrova in a 87" or something huge like that. Perfect for big, deep glass boats.
60" will be fine on my Sylvan. I currently have a 54" original PowerDrive on there that I hardly used.
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Yea, I've seen videos of the 87"
That's insane!!!
72" should work on mine but I'll certainly be measuring before buying.
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For your viewing pleasure -
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87" long is sick.
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I could pull a water skier with that on my boat ;D.
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Got the motor itself mounted up last night. Not like that was hard, I already had the quick release plate on the boat so just swapped the plate. This weekend I will install the batteries and wiring. I need to order my on board battery charger today. This thing is huge, a lot bigger than my previous 12v Powerdrive. I think with the batteries and motor difference I am adding at least 250lbs to my boat.
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Great videos. Last week in a stiff north wind on finger lake we spot locked for half a day perch fishing and I could see a log under the boat the entire time we were locked on my buddy's boat.
I've complained about anchors for years to my wife and it's only costing me about 50K but I hope to never pull an anchor again any time soon. I'll be able to effectively target the lakers in 1-200' feet of water with light line too and perch beware. SOOO NICE to pull up on a spot and just hit a button. We killed Oneida walleyes last summer on several occasions when we were drifting and saw a wad of fish and just hit the brakes and dropped on them.
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Great videos. Last week in a stiff north wind on finger lake we spot locked for half a day perch fishing and I could see a log under the boat the entire time we were locked on my buddy's boat.
I've complained about anchors for years to my wife and it's only costing me about 50K but I hope to never pull an anchor again any time soon. I'll be able to effectively target the lakers in 1-200' feet of water with light line too and perch beware. SOOO NICE to pull up on a spot and just hit a button. We killed Oneida walleyes last summer on several occasions when we were drifting and saw a wad of fish and just hit the brakes and dropped on them.
We fish for perch occasionally out in Lake Erie.
Typically in water depths between 60-80 FOW.
I hear what your selling on hauling an anchor up!!!
With an anchor chain it is recommended by the USCG a rode length ratio of 5:1
(I always use a chain BTW - but that's another topic)
Anyway, at 80 FOW, that works out to 400' of rode out. :o
Yea, we never use that much, but you get the point.
But here is something else to consider.
Let's do say I put out 200' of rode.
That is the hypotenuse with the 80' being the vertical leg of a 90 degree triangle.
That works out to a circle radius of 183'
Double that for a circle diameter of 366 feet.
So your wandering around a circle of 366' - that's your accuracy.
More than the length of a football field.
I cannot find what the circle size it with Spot Lock, but like you said, it's stupid small.
366' is plenty to be drifting off the school of fish.
And of course hauling an anchor every time you want to change spots because the school of perch moved 50' off to your left...……..
I considered other autopilots for my new Trophy.
But they are all over $3500 and won't give me Spot Lock for perch fishing.
When I retire and move to Florida my pontoon boat down there will have a Minn Kota Terova with ipilot on it also.
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Got the motor itself mounted up last night. Not like that was hard, I already had the quick release plate on the boat so just swapped the plate. This weekend I will install the batteries and wiring. I need to order my on board battery charger today. This thing is huge, a lot bigger than my previous 12v Powerdrive. I think with the batteries and motor difference I am adding at least 250lbs to my boat.
Get a good on board Geoff.
Minn Kota units are very reliable.
Also consider amperage.
My old 3-bank only had 6 amps per bank.
OK for overnight charging, unless I drained the batteries then I needed more time.
Meaning fishing both Saturday AND Sunday often was compromised.
And forget going back out Saturday night after dinner for the night bite.
And when I took the boat to Canada, and REALLY used the Minn Kota, I grabbed a recharge each time we went back to the dock.
So being there for only 2 hrs to grab lunch or dinner didn't give too much of a recharge before heading back out.
The cost to get the best charger is peanuts when we compare it to what we spend on our boats.
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Spot lock is supposed to keep you with in 10 feet of the spot and from what I have seen with mine it does that until it gets to turn so far that it binds and shuts the spot lock off but this only happens on calm days when the kids are swimming and pushing the boat around.
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Got the motor installed today, it went fairly well. The hardest part was getting the batteries in the compartments and doing all the wiring. I'm using 6-gauge wire and it's pretty rugged to work with. did not have the onboard charger in stock at the marina on Friday oh, so I ordered it on Amazon. I got a 4 Bank 10 amp per Bank Minn Kota precision coming this week. Also decided to just get the spending over with and got a 9" Helix to network with the i-pilot. Hopefully will get a chance to try it all out later this week.
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Good luck Geoff
I love installations on my boats
Sounds like you’re having fun.
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Got the motor installed today, it went fairly well. The hardest part was getting the batteries in the compartments and doing all the wiring. I'm using 6-gauge wire and it's pretty rugged to work with. did not have the onboard charger in stock at the marina on Friday oh, so I ordered it on Amazon. I got a 4 Bank 10 amp per Bank Minn Kota precision coming this week. Also decided to just get the spending over with and got a 9" Helix to network with the i-pilot. Hopefully will get a chance to try it all out later this week.
Sounds cool! Keep us posted.
I just love it when the brick and mortar stores complain we order too much online but they don't carry things in stock. Then they tell you they can order it for you. Well yeah I can do that too! My local hardware store does this a lot.
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Yeah, they just didn't have much stuff geared for 36v setups. I was surprised, they are the biggest Lund dealer around. They didn't even have terminals for 6ga wire. But they had 3 mounting trays as well as 3 Group 31 Interstate batts for me to buy. I cant get registered until next week anyway, so waiting for the battery charger is fine. I think Sunapee is still iced in, gonna take a ride later today just to see. Cant discharge these 3 huge batteries without being able to recharge immediately. Try to take good care of this $500 in batteries!
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Mac, I am having fun doing the best I can for social distancing. Staying at home and doing boat projects. My only problem is the marine store I use is closed until further notice, so nothing big can happen. I was planning on doing the other half of my floor, ripping up the old carpet and doing vinyl, or maybe something else. But I'd have to get it all on Amazon or something!
I'm justifying this big upgrade financially in these uncertain times this way... I can now fish with autopilot solo much easier! I can net fish while the boat fights the wind instead of me. That's good because I'm not sure if anyone will fish with me at the moment.
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I just put some money down on a Terrova set up for $1500.00. I could have bought it on line but as always decided I want to support my local bait store. Even if people stop picking up their fish mounts, I still have social security and my house is paid off, and no car payments. With one car in the family and the wife probably home from work, but still paid for the rest of the school year, I will have the vehicle to haul the boat around pretty much anytime I want.
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Good choice, I hope I'm not sorry I got the Ulterra, it already makes some weird noises when trimming up and down. Minn Kota gave me some advice over thd phone that I'm happy with, but we shall see if this motor is too troublesome. There sure is a lot going on. And I paid twice what you did although it's a 36v motor so even the Terrova was going to cost me 2400 minimum if I went with the Riptide with ipilot link.
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Good choice, I hope I'm not sorry I got the Ulterra, it already makes some weird noises when trimming up and down. Minn Kota gave me some advice over thd phone that I'm happy with, but we shall see if this motor is too troublesome. There sure is a lot going on. And I paid twice what you did although it's a 36v motor so even the Terrova was going to cost me 2400 minimum if I went with the Riptide with ipilot link.
One thing the guy at the bait store told me was they had a lot less Terrovas brought in for repair vs. the Ulterra IIRR. Another good reason to buy it there vs. online as they service them.
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One thing the guy at the bait store told me was they had a lot less Terrovas brought in for repair vs. the Ulterra IIRR. Another good reason to buy it there vs. online as they service them.
Bought my Terrova 36v through the marina putting my new boat together and his cost was $2300, plus wiring, batteries and charger. I'll say this though I sold my 2011 Sea Hunt last fall and the big motor- 115 Etech- only had 300 hours on it but I can't imagine you how many hours the riptide had on it with never going to the shop. Money well spent as long as they run right.
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I have to finish my install this weekend. The 36v is setup, all agm. Need to add the agm for the cranking battery and remove the stratos 2 bank charger and replace with this monster:
(https://i.postimg.cc/Wq8r1p9Z/20200402-162043.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Wq8r1p9Z)
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Good unit - great decision.
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Yep, I put the 330PC in my boat for the trolling setup. I already had another unit for the house battery which I need to evaluate.. I'm not sure if it has the juice to handle my Helix 9, the 2 Scotty electric riggers and all the house electronics. Has anyone here run 2 cranking batteries in parallel to give some more capacity? My 6hp Merc kicker has a charging system but I don't know if it will help one house battery topped enough with all this draw. Will my outboard charge a 12v system in parallel?
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I have about half down on my $1500.00 Terrova! I'm excited!
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I have about half down on my $1500.00 Terrova! I'm excited!
Sweet. You are going to love it.
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Yep, I put the 330PC in my boat for the trolling setup. I already had another unit for the house battery which I need to evaluate.. I'm not sure if it has the juice to handle my Helix 9, the 2 Scotty electric riggers and all the house electronics. Has anyone here run 2 cranking batteries in parallel to give some more capacity? My 6hp Merc kicker has a charging system but I don't know if it will help one house battery topped enough with all this draw. Will my outboard charge a 12v system in parallel?
You need to do the math Geoff.
What is the amperage of the alternator on the kicker.
And what is the amp draw for each unit running.
Remember that you won't operate the riggers only occasionally.
Find out what you will run, get their amps they draw, and add it all up.
Remember to look at any FM radio (music) you might run AND it's amplifier if you installed one.
Also the VHF marine radio if you have one - and you should have one. 8)
Put both of your main batteries thru a Perko isolation switch, one with an A, B, and BOTH setting.
Then you can use the "BOTRH" setting to crank with both batteries if ever needed.
I typically run on "A" until I start trolling.
Then switch to "B".
(My kicker is tied to the "B" battery)
This way, "A" is always charged to start the main motor for the ride back home.
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I have Scotty riggers and they supposedly have among the lowest draw among electric riggers so that is good. My VHF is a portable and rechargeable unit, so that helps. I have a simple stereo but I almost never use it because it doesn't bluetooth to my phone. Everytime I consider adding a bluetooth head unit I pass because I just use a portable bluetooth speaker.
My 6hp kicker probably doesn't have a very big alternator, I'll try to find out.
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I have about half down on my $1500.00 Terrova! I'm excited!
You should be cecil. They are great tools.
I got my install done. Tight squeeze. Added a new agm cranking battery to replace the flooded lead one that was in there.
(https://i.postimg.cc/VJtLr58t/20200405-131626.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VJtLr58t)
(https://i.postimg.cc/SYYHT2V7/20200405-131551.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SYYHT2V7)