The Minn Kota MKR-28 Trolling Motor Plug & Receptacle (single pack) is the current-generation trolling motor power-disconnect kit, replacing the older MKR-18 and MKR-26 part numbers. 60-amp continuous current rating up to 48V (covers any 12V, 24V, 36V, or 48V trolling motor wiring). Silver-plated terminals for reliable corrosion-resistant connection in freshwater AND saltwater service. Sealed waterproof design. Secure threaded electrical connection. Adjustable mounting orientations. Single pack includes the plug (with 18-inch 8 AWG wire lead), the receptacle (with 24-inch 8 AWG wire lead), mounting faceplate, dust cap, 1-10 AWG splicer, ferrules in three sizes (1 / 2 / 4 AWG), heat shrink, hex wrench, and install manual.
The Minn Kota MKR-28 trolling motor plug and receptacle single pack (part 1865120) is the current-generation Minn Kota power-disconnect kit for trolling motors. The right replacement when the existing trolling motor plug or receptacle on your boat fails (corrosion, water ingress, broken pins, worn contacts), and the right install kit for new trolling motor builds where you want the standard Minn Kota disconnect at the boat-to-trolling-motor power connection. Replaces the older MKR-18 (part 1865102) and MKR-26 (part 1865128) plug / receptacle generations – the MKR-28 is the current product Minn Kota recommends for both new installs and replacement of either older variant.
Single pack vs. bulk pack. This is the single-quantity package containing one matched plug and receptacle pair plus the standard accessory kit. For owners replacing one connector pair on one boat, the single pack is the right purchase. For dealers, marine service shops, and boat builders installing trolling motor disconnects on multiple boats, the bulk pack (Minn Kota part 1865121) provides the same components in larger quantity at a per-unit savings. Functionally identical – just the packaging quantity is different.
What the plug and receptacle do. Trolling motors get a lot of removal-and-reinstall handling: anglers pull the trolling motor off the boat for maintenance, for trailering across long distances, for storage, for service, for boat-to-boat moves. A hardwired battery connection means cutting and re-connecting wires every time. The plug-and-receptacle disconnect lets you pull the trolling motor’s plug from the boat-mounted receptacle in a few seconds, lift the trolling motor off, do whatever you needed to do, and reconnect just as fast. The standard quality-of-life upgrade for any boat where the trolling motor isn’t permanently bolted to the deck.
60 amps continuous up to 48V. The MKR-28 is rated for 60 amps continuous current at up to 48 volts. That covers all standard recreational trolling motor configurations: 12V (smaller bow-mount and transom-mount motors up to about 55 lb thrust), 24V (mid-range bow-mount motors 70-80 lb thrust), 36V (larger bow-mount motors 80-112 lb thrust), and 48V (the QUEST series brushless trolling motors). The 60-amp current rating handles the highest typical trolling motor max amp draw with headroom for the transient peak loads that happen at high-thrust steering corrections.
Silver-plated terminals. The actual current-carrying contact surfaces inside the plug and receptacle are silver-plated. Silver plating is the right material choice for high-current marine connectors: silver has very low electrical resistance (lower than copper, lower than tin-plated brass), silver doesn’t oxidize like bare copper does (oxidized contact surfaces have noticeably higher resistance, which causes connector heating and eventual failure), and silver-plated marine connectors stay reliable through years of plug-unplug cycles in saltwater service. Cheaper plated alternatives (tin-plated copper, brass) don’t hold up as well in the marine environment.
Sealed waterproof design. The plug and receptacle housing is sealed to prevent water ingress into the contact area. When the plug is mated to the receptacle and the threaded connection is tightened, the seal is watertight. When the plug is disconnected (with the supplied dust cap installed on the receptacle), the receptacle stays watertight too. Trolling motor connections live near the bilge or on the bow deck where they see splash, rain, and direct hose washdown – the watertight rating is what makes the connector survive long-term marine service rather than fail early from corrosion.
Secure threaded electrical connection. The plug locks to the receptacle via a threaded connection (rotate to engage and tighten). The threaded connection has multiple advantages over snap-fit or simple push-pin connectors: it doesn’t pull apart from cable strain (typical when the trolling motor pulls hard against its mount, putting tension on the connector), it provides positive tactile feedback that the connection is fully seated, and the threaded clamping force keeps the seal tight against water entry. The right connector design for the high-current high-vibration trolling motor application.
Adjustable mounting orientations. The receptacle’s mounting faceplate allows multiple orientation options at install. You can mount the receptacle with the plug entry pointing up, down, sideways, or angled – whatever fits your specific boat layout best. The flexibility means the connector install location isn’t limited to one specific orientation that may not work with your bow / transom geometry.
8 AWG wire leads (compatible with 1-10 AWG). The plug ships with an 18-inch 8 AWG wire lead and the receptacle ships with a 24-inch 8 AWG wire lead. The 8 AWG matches the typical trolling motor wire run size for most boat installs. For installs where the existing wire is a different gauge (1, 2, 4, 6, or 10 AWG), the included 1-10 AWG splicer connects the connector’s 8 AWG lead to your existing wire of any size in that range. The included ferrules in 1, 2, and 4 AWG sizes accommodate the most common heavier-gauge wire connections.
What’s in the single pack. Trolling motor plug with 18-inch 8 AWG wire lead. Receptacle with 24-inch 8 AWG wire lead. Mounting faceplate (for boat-side install of the receptacle). Dust cap (covers the receptacle when the plug is disconnected, keeping water out). 1-10 AWG splicer (connects the connector’s 8 AWG lead to your existing wire of any size in that range). 1 AWG ferrule. 2 AWG ferrule. 4 AWG ferrule. Heat shrink (covers the splice connections after they’re made). Hex wrench (for tightening the connector). Installation manual.
Replaces older MKR variants. The MKR-28 is Minn Kota’s current recommended replacement for the older MKR-18 (part 1865102) and the MKR-26 (part 1865128) plug-and-receptacle generations. The MKR-28 has the same overall form factor and mounting interface so it drops in as a replacement for either older variant. For boats where the existing MKR-18 or MKR-26 has failed or is showing wear, the MKR-28 is the modern equivalent.
Install. Mount the receptacle to the boat via the included faceplate at the chosen connector location (typically near the bow trolling motor mount). Wire the receptacle’s 24-inch lead to the boat’s battery wiring with the appropriate ferrules and splicer for your existing wire gauge. Wire the plug’s 18-inch lead to the trolling motor’s positive and negative leads. Cover all splices with the supplied heat shrink. Plug the plug into the receptacle, rotate clockwise to lock the threaded connection. Total install time is typically 1-2 hours for someone with reasonable mechanical and electrical skill.
1-year limited Minn Kota warranty. Same-day shipping before 3 PM ET on in-stock units.
