possibly a stupid question...

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

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.

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

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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.

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.

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.

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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.

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.

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

Attachment 78930

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

Theoretically you would get twice as long trolling time using 24V. Use just the black and white for 12V.

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Originally Posted by 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?

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Going with a higher voltage has two main advantages: The first is that the two batteries give you double the run time at the same thrust. The second, and biggest advantage is that a 24V motor draws half the current of a 12V motor at the same thrust, which means that the motor wiring can be smaller and you get less power lost to heat while you are running.

IMO, 24V is the way to go unless the lowest speed on the 24V is too fast for you. I have a 12/24 motor and never run it on 12V.

Whatever you do....do NOT try to make a 24 V system out of the two batteries you have!! Your big motor is only 12V and like others have said, if you put 24V on some of those systems, or your electronics, you will soon find yourself facing a very large repair bill. The two systems have to be kept seperate, so if you want 24V, you will have to have another battery to go with the TM battery you already have....please do a lot of research before you plug anything new in.

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Originally Posted by vic n

Whatever you do....do NOT try to make a 24 V system out of the two batteries you have!! Your big motor is only 12V and like others have said, if you put 24V on some of those systems, or your electronics, you will soon find yourself facing a very large repair bill. The two systems have to be kept seperate, so if you want 24V, you will have to have another battery to go with the TM battery you already have....please do a lot of research before you plug anything new in.

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It is simple to get 12V out of a two battery system with no risk of applying 24V to the motor or electronics. Connecting a second battery to one end of the engine battery doesn't affect the engine battery at all.

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Originally Posted by CatFan

It is simple to get 12V out of a two battery system with no risk of applying 24V to the motor or electronics. Connecting a second battery to one end of the engine battery doesn't affect the engine battery at all.

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Oh sure...I've done it several times....I just wanted to caution him not to try to create a 24V system with his starting battery and his TM battery, because that would feed the 24V to his big motor and electronics.

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Originally Posted by mrwillis

Isn't 50lb thrust, still 50lb of thrust whether is is off 12V or 24V?

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Yes, but you don't get maximum thrust as your battery runs down. By the end of the day you're limping along at a fraction of the speed you got when you started. By doubling the power, you double the time before you're limping along.

my dads boat is a 18 foot lund with a 55lb 24v. and my buddys 17 foot semi v john has a 55 lb 12v. my dads will hold in twice the wind and last twice as long. i refuse to go with my buddy on windier days because his wont hold as good as mine or dads. youd be better off going with the 24v. you will not be disappointed

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Originally Posted by jhill10

youd be better off going with the 24v. you will not be disappointed

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