Switching from 12v to 24v..need help

[Muskieguy]

What do I need to switch from 12v to 24v trolling motor?

I understand I would need a new 24v trolling motor and an 2 new/matched batteries.

Do I need to make changes to the following:

1) Trolling motor recepticle?

2) Wiring from batteries to trolling motor recepticle (to handle increased voltage?)

3) Circuit breaker and fuse?

4) Is a on board charge a must have?

5) other?

Anybody regret going with a 24v system?

Please Advise...Thanks,

[marine_man]

What kind of wire setup do you current have? Is it two wires running to the front, or is it pre-wired for 2 batteries?

You shouldn't have to make any changes to the receptacle or the wiring between the batteries and receptacle.

marine_man

[Muskieguy]

What kind of wire setup do you current have? Is it two wires running to the front, or is it pre-wired for 2 batteries?

Boat is in storage so I am not sure what wire setup I have. All I know is that I currently have a 12v trolling motor and only 1 battery.

Wouldn't I need a thicker guage wire running from Batteries to Trolling motor recepticle?

Sounds like I would also need to buy a jumper wire to help rig the batteries in a series?

[PierBridge]

You'll need to know the gauge size of the wire in your boat in order to tell if it will work or not.

Here is a basic 24 volt diagram. The 3rd wire "yellow" is for 24 volt trolling motors that require 12 volts. Like a MinnKota Vantage that has an electric lift. Your new Trolling motor may not need the 12 volt wire.

[marine_man]

Wouldn't I need a thicker guage wire running from Batteries to Trolling motor recepticle?

Sounds like I would also need to buy a jumper wire to help rig the batteries in a series?

Typically trolling motor wires are heavy enough to support 12 or 24 volts. If you have 8 gauge or heavier wires from the batteries to the receptacle you should be ok... that's assuming the batteries are located near the receptacle (in the bow, and not at the stern).

You will likely need to buy / make a jumper wire... but again, it depends on the wire setup. If it's a lund with two sets of battery wires you just hook up both sets of wires and wire the trolling motor to the right wire on the trolling motor plug.

marine_man

[sparcebag]

Originally Posted By: marine_man

What kind of wire setup do you current have? Is it two wires running to the front, or is it pre-wired for 2 batteries?

Boat is in storage so I am not sure what wire setup I have. All I know is that I currently have a 12v trolling motor and only 1 battery.

Wouldn't I need a thicker guage wire running from Batteries to Trolling motor recepticle?

Sounds like I would also need to buy a jumper wire to help rig the batteries in a series?

muskie are you going to advertise your 12V motor for sale on FM.If so I'm very interested.

[Muskieguy]

Typically trolling motor wires are heavy enough to support 12 or 24 volts. If you have 8 gauge or heavier wires from the batteries to the receptacle you should be ok... that's assuming the batteries are located near the receptacle (in the bow, and not at the stern). marine_man

It is a 1998 21' Larson Fish and Ski with the batteries located in the stern. The 12v trolling motor on the boat now was not the one that origionally came with the boat. The original owner must have removed it. Maybe it originally came with a 24v TM, who knows. Just wanted to make sure it was possible to go from 12v to 24v before I went and bought the 24v..

Since the batteries are in the stern, what guage wire do you recommend?

P.S, I plan on keeping the old 12v trolling motor.

[marine_man]

4 or 6 Gauge if they run all they way from the front to back...

marine_man

[sparcebag]

8GA is way more than you need.the motor is most likly 10GA.

8 is cable, gettin larger its hard to work with,to drop back down to the 10.Also solder the unions it will keep corrosion from breaking the connection,shrink tube to cover and insulate.

[marine_man]

Ah... yeah... I was thinking moving the starting battery to the front, not the trolling motor.. sorry!

8 gauge should be sufficient...

marine_man

[sparcebag]

MM heres a chart I've posted before,its works for you no calculation it does it.My kinda math!

http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm

[marine_man]

Thanks Sparce!

marine_man

[Muskieguy]

Thanks everybody...I did order the 24v system...I was told by the Cabelas guy that there should be a instruction manual which will outline what is needed to run the TM I purchased. He also said they sell the wire needed to re-wire everything if need be.

Thanks again.

[Pat K]

The manual for your new motor should tell you what amp fuse or breaker to use. Then use spacebag's chart and use something that can handle at least 10 amps more than the breaker. The amperage needed will determine the guage of the wire not voltage.

[propster]

Similar question only in reverse. Thinking about a new bow mount TM for the boat that is 24v, and putting the TM from that system on the old Lund which is one battery 12v. Can that be done? Just cut off and attach new plug to fit receptacle on Lund? And do I have to be concerned if the 12v is enough juice to power the formerly 24v motor? Thanks guys.