possibly a stupid question...

[mrwillis]

OK...this might be a stupid question...but I just got a 50lb foot controlled trolling motor that is bow mounted, and I plug it in up front. I've never had one that was a 24v, but this one is a 12/24 (select what you want to use). Well, I have two batteries in the back, one is for starter, electronics, trim, lights, etc. The other one is strictly for troller. I guess I have two questions now...

Question 1...How do I run the batteries parallel in order to run the 24v if I decide to? And, if I do run it, am I going to have to run some sort of a different plug on the front of the boat that runs 3 wires to it instead of two (like I have presently due to it only being a 12v). The trolling motor has 3 wires, and the plug is only two.

Question 2...Do I need to get another battery and run 3 batteries, or should I be fine with what I have?

BONUS QUESTION...I have a red wire, black wire, and white wire... Is it red (primary power), black (ground), white (extra for 24 volt)?

Ok, hope this doesn't make me sound stupid, but just want to make sure instead of being sorry later!

mrwillis

[Barnacle Bill]

This is important, how many wires come out of the trolling motor and where is the 12/24 switch? Regardless you will be better off with 3 batteries using 2 for just the trolling motor.

[CharlieL]

2 batteries in parralel will be 12V need them in series for 24V, and I dont think your motor will like 24 V applied when the starter switch is hit. let alone the tilt/trim

[mrwillis]

This is important, how many wires come out of the trolling motor and where is the 12/24 switch? Regardless you will be better off with 3 batteries using 2 for just the trolling motor.

There are three wires coming out of the trolling motor. I have a red, a black, and a white. And the switchnisnon the side of the foot pedal.

[CatFan]

You can run the two batteries you have, but it's far from ideal. Unless you are using a deep-cycle for your cranking battery, you will quickly destroy that battery.

It's better to add another battery so you have two deep-cycles for the TM that aren't connected to the engine.

[jimp]

your electronics will not be happy with 24v either. you should also keep all of your electronics on the cranking batt or you will probably bet interference when using the TM.

[CatFan]

your electronics will not be happy with 24v either. you should also keep all of your electronics on the cranking batt or you will probably bet interference when using the TM.

You can easily get 12V off of a 24v system like that. It's no problem to get 12V and 24v off the same setup.

[genec]

It's best to get another battery, also sound like with the three wire,you have 12 and 12 plus ground and when you select either 12 or 24 what you have is it take all 3 wires to make 24v and then on 12 it shuts off one wire. This make the wiring to motor different than normal 24v. I know that was the way of old style was. Some of these guys can draw you a diagram,don't know how to draw a picture on computer.

[Barnacle Bill]

Here is how you connect a 3-wire 12/24 motor.

[mrwillis]

OK...a couple more questions. What is the benefit of the 24V over the 12V? Isn't 50lb thrust, still 50lb of thrust whether is is off 12V or 24V? Is it just the idea of conserving battery power?

And, what if I decide just to run 12V and not even hook up the 24V? Would I just use the red and black wires, and just tuck away the white one? Like I said, these may sound like stupid questions, but I don't want to burn up a perfectly good motor!!!

mrwillis