Trolling Motor Upgrade

[Dave A]

So I have a 17 1/2 foot ProCraft with an old 45 lb Thrust Motorguide Trolling motor on it. I get pushed around in the wind or on the Delta pretty good. So I wanted to upgrade my trolling motor. I currently have a 12 volt setup and I notice that the 12 volt motors only go up to about 55lb thrust. What does it entail to upgrade to a 24 volts? Do I need to go to larger batteries and replace the current fuses with 24 volt fuses? Is this an easy process?

Also, what are your thoughts an Trolling motors if your primary concern is sheer power? Any difference between Motorguide and Minn Kota?

Any help would be appreciated.

[Long Nguyen]

What does it entail to upgrade to a 24 volts? Do I need to go to larger batteries and replace the current fuses with 24 volt fuses? Is this an easy process?

Also, what are your thoughts an Trolling motors if your primary concern is sheer power? Any difference between Motorguide and Minn Kota?

The process of upgrading from 12 to 24V is very simple. When you upgrade from 12V to 24V, you add another dedicated deep cycle battery. You can use groups 27-31 batteries. In my experiences, you don't necessarily need to get the largest batteries just to make the switch to 24V. However, a larger battery will give you more juice and longer use times between recharges.

What I highly recommend in that you have a total of 3 marine batteries, two deep cycle batteries dedicated to your trolling motor, and one for your engine/electronics.

Depending on the current wiring, you may have to change your gauge to accomodate 24V. Most boats come with 6 guage wiring for 24V or 36V systems. A 24V system will also require changing out the fuses too.

Motorguide vs. Minn Kota...Since you fish the delta alot, I highly recommend Minn Kota. You can get the 24V Maxxumm system with over 80lbs of thrust. They're not cheap, but the performance in the weeds and current is undisputable.

A good source for trolling motor Q&A is Jay Liu's or Hook Line and Sinker. Good luck.

Long

[DanO]

Either are 24 volt trolling motors with plenty of power. I had a Maxxum 74 motor on my last boat, a 17' 10" Ranger, and it handled many situations very well, even the Delta current. The only time I was ever overpowered by current with that motor was all the way up Putah Creek at Berryessa in the incoming water.

Maxxum 70


Maxxum Pro 80 with Lift Assist



24 volts will be created by rigging two batteries in series.

Use the black wire in your boat and connect to the negative post of battery A. Use the red wire in your boat and connect to the positive post of battery B. Use a separate wire to connect the positive post of battery A to the negative post of Battery B. The drawing below is cheesy, but it shows the basics.



By going to a 24 volt system, you will obviously have more power, but your power will last longer through the day.

DanO

[DanO]

*NM*

[Ken C.]

As Long said you may need to upgrade the wire size going from batteries to TM. The fuse rating will likely be higher - not a 24V fuse per se but maybe a 50 amp instead of a 25 or 30 amp. Try to get set up with a circuit breaker as opposed to a fuse. That way if it pops, you just reset the breaker instead of worrying about finding a spare fuse.

As for MotorGuide or MinKota (Ford or Chevy), I'm not gonna go there but they both are making good motors these days. Customer support is what you want to look for in your selection process. 24 V motors go up to 82lbs thrust, then the 36V motors go just over 100 lbs. You definitely want a separate battery for your big motor.

Gene at the Hook, Line and Sinker (see his ad at the top of this page) is a dealer and service center for both brands of motors. You might want to stop in and ask his opinions on both motors to see which one he's seeing more problems with. He'll give you the straight scoop!

Feel free to ask if you have more questions!

[Dave A]

Thanks guys, that's the info I was looking for.

[DeltaDan]

I have a question--- What if there is no fuse to the TM?

If I need a seperate post please say so as I do not want to hijack a thread.

I recently purchased an 24v 82# motor- up from a 24v 55# that I believed was shot. In the end- the original motor and new motor had faullty sealed fuses/were corroded at the battery terminal connector.

My rig has two sets of I believe 6 gauge or better wire from the back up front- and I am running only on one line now instead of both as the 24v now is crossed back at the battery ... (I really like the simplicity of that) ..... and it is wired up front at the plug to 2 prongs of a 3 prong plug.

Is a fuse system truly necessary for a 24v motor? How will it affect the factory warrenty if it is directly wired to the motor with no fuse system? -- Should I put sealed fuses back on the battery terminal?

Both old and new motor worked as tested- but once a load was placed on them once in the water- they did not work. Once those fuses were removed from the system-- both motors now work like champs.

I guess what I am most wondering is two things.

What is the chance on an overload to the motor directly wired from the batteries with no fuse system? and how can that happen....

Third question as a boot kicker just to show I did not take the time to read the warrenty-- But for those that have. Am I in void of the factory warrenty for not using a fuse system on the 24v Motorguide?

Dan



PS- If anyone has any interest in a 55# bowmount 24v Motorguide Saltwater with bow mount- I will trade you for whatever tackle you can collectively deam as a fair trade with two young boys. I should of used that motor for an outing durring a recent duck hunt- and now need a new prop/rebuilt prop for a Johnson.

-- The more I think about it--------- It may be in my best interest to save the 55# Mg for next year.

[Dave A]

One more question. So I have decided to go with either the Minn kota Maxxum 70 or potentially the edge 70. I really want to do this upgrade on a budget as my boat is 8 years old and I plan on getting a new boat in about 2 years. Is it really worth the extra $150 or so to buy the Maxxum as opposed to the edge? I noticed that the head/motor configuration is different on the edge. Would that present a problem when attaching a transducer?

Thanks guys I appreciate all of the advice.

[DanO]

I would definitely go with the Maxxum.

The bracket is much stronger, and has the Bowguard 360 Breakaway system on it. It will move if you hit an underwater obstruction and comes back to center after you back of the obstruction.

Definitely worth the upgrade.

DanO

[Long Nguyen]

I would definitely go with the Maxxum.

The bracket is much stronger, and has the Bowguard 360 Breakaway system on it. It will move if you hit an underwater obstruction and comes back to center after you back of the obstruction.

Definitely worth the upgrade.

DanO

Ditto on what Dan said.

[Hollywood]

Dan O Said it best! Take it from someone who has owned 14 motorguides on different boats and they all broke! Don't get me wrong, Minn Kota will have there problems but the problems are less and few and far between!

You won't be disapointed with a Maxxum! They may be a bit heavier but that lift assist is AWESOME! I won't get another boat without it!

The maxxum's are a hell of a lot quieter than any motorguide out on the market!

Kevin Johnson


Maxxum 70


Maxxum Pro 80 with Lift Assist



24 volts will be created by rigging two batteries in series.

Use the black wire in your boat and connect to the negative post of battery A. Use the red wire in your boat and connect to the positive post of battery B. Use a separate wire to connect the positive post of battery A to the negative post of Battery B. The drawing below is cheesy, but it shows the basics.



By going to a 24 volt system, you will obviously have more power, but your power will last longer through the day.

DanO[/quote]

[LEN B]

DeltaDan
you need at least a 50 amp fuse not so much for the motor but what about your wires. To many amps will heat them up to the point of a fire. Be safe and buy a 50 amp breaker. $10.00 is alot cheaper than a new boat. If it gets to hot let it cool down and reset it. Done deal