24 volt TM question

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09-08-2010, 08:56 PM
PanMan_VA

24 volt TM question

I'm doing a new install for a 24 volt TM. The batteries are separately wired to a four prong connector. The connector on the TM side puts the batteries in series to make 24 volts. I have a single 50 amp breaker right now. Should I buy an inline connector so I can remove the TM from the boat when I want to and put the breaker between the four prong connector and inline connector on the TM side? The other option I can think of is to buy two 25 amp breakers (or 30 amp to keep one from constantly tripping if the current draw is not even) and put one near each battery's positive terminal.

Thoughts or suggestions welcome.
09-08-2010, 10:09 PM
Barnacle Bill

What size wire are you using and how far is between the batteries and the TM? The breakers need to be matched to the wire and connected as close to the + side of the batteries as possible. Also I'm assuming this is a new TM and not a 12/24.
09-09-2010, 06:15 AM
PanMan_VA

The wire from the battery to the plug is good size. I have not looked close but it appears to be 8 gauge or larger. The wire from the plug to the TM is 10 gauge. The TM is a new Riptide ST 80# thrust 24 volt motor. There is about 6-8 feet of wire between the batteries and the plug and about 6 feet of wire from plug to TM.

I'm thinking hard about just putting the 50 amp breaker on the TM side of the plug and not hard mounting the breaker so I can remove the TM when I want. It is not the optimum solution but I rarely run a TM up to 6 or 7 on a scale of 10 for thrust. I hesitate to put a breaker on each battery since I do not know if the batteries will share the load equally and one of the breakers may trip sooner than intended.
09-10-2010, 02:09 PM
PanMan_VA

I was starting the battery install and noticed the wire is 6 gauge and there is already a small automatically resettable 40 amp breaker on the positive terminal for each battery so my issue is solved for now.
09-10-2010, 06:23 PM
Barnacle Bill

I am really curious as to what they are using to get 24V. I've seen 12/24 switches that do that but not just a "box". It would be easy to make one but why?
09-10-2010, 08:34 PM
PanMan_VA

It is just a jumper from ground on one battery to the positive lead on the other battery in the male part of the plug as far as I can tell. It is a Marinco 12/24 volt plug.

I got everything wired this evening and it works ok. I don't have a clip on amp meter so I can't determine the current draw when I get the boat in the water.
09-10-2010, 08:39 PM
Barnacle Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by PanMan_VA

It is just a jumper from ground on one battery to the positive lead on the other battery in the male part of the plug as far as I can tell. It is a Marinco 12/24 volt plug.

I got everything wired this evening and it works ok. I don't have a clip on amp meter so I can't determine the current draw when I get the boat in the water.

I got one if we can ever get together. Should be about 45 amps.