I keep the trolling motor plugged in. But remove the foot control module when finished fishing. Yesterday I launched the boat an hooked up the foot controler. I always then hit the thrust pad to confirm I have power to the trolling motor. At times, I don't and have to tighten the battery connections. I didn't have power and checked the battery connections they were tight. I then noticed the breaker had tripped. I reset it and it immediately tripped which it did several more times. I then unplugged the foot controller. It still keep tripping. I then unplugged the power cord and reset the breaker. The breaker tripped immediately when the plug make contact with the receptacle. I went home an ran a jumper wire from the breaker to the plug receptacle. It sparked and fried the breaker.