rob v Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 I've been thinking about up-grading my trolling motor to something with a bit more power. Currently I have a minn kota maxum 55 running off a 12 volt source. Would upgrading to a 24 volt power source (two batteries in series) provide me with any more power - or would I risk damaging my motor ? I'm sure there's someone out there that's tried this ? is it possible ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 it would cost more to convert it then to buy a 24 volt unit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigugli Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 A lot of bass guys run batteries in series. You are still running 12volt, just a bigger power reserve and having double the running time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbouck Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 Running in series at 24v will burn out the motor. You need to run it in parallel which won't give you any more power, just longer run time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike rousseau Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 I run 2 in series (12v) so I have high power for a longer period... But if you run in parallel (24v) I imagine you'll burn your motor... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 Two batteries on that motor would not give you more power, it would give you the same power for a longer period of time. Connected in parallel of course. I'm using a 70lb 24v MK. That's two 12 volt batteries connected in series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob v Posted January 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 Guess that's what i kinda figured - so the 12 volt motor would fry on a 24 volt system - guess that answer's my question - time to think about a new motor ! . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tschirk Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 A lot of bass guys run batteries in series. You are still running 12volt, just a bigger power reserve and having double the running time. Don't you mean wire 2 batteries in parallel which would give you 12 volts & double the amp/hour, that would increase run time but not thrust. 2 in series would give you same amp/hours but double the voltage to 24volts, but destroy a 12volt trolling motor. Regardless it is better to upgrade to 24v trolling motor versus trying to modify an existing 12v if you want more thrust. If you can swing it, a 24v x 80lbs MinKota Terrova with iPilot will really make fishing easier and more enjoyable. I love mine. Cheers, Ted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 I ran a pair of 12 volt batteries in parallel on my last boat for years Rob and it definetely gives you a much longer running time, but you'll thank yourself if you upgrade to a 24 volt system and even go with a larger motor. More $$$$ up-front but well worth the expense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeontroller Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 I upgraded from a 12v 55# this year to a 24v 80#. Love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 you can not run 2 batteries in series..that gives you 24 v in parallel gives you12 volts with extra amp hours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 Or you can get an Edge instead of a Terrova and save 60%. I've had mine 3 full seasons and it's an excellent motor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishdawg Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 Im in the same position, & just may pull the trigger on a 24v system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob v Posted January 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 if i upgrade to a 24 volt system/motor is it possible to still wire in my 12 volt items into that system i.e. just wire them to the +/- terminals of one of the batteries in series? (I've got a couple of live-well aerators that hook into my trolling motor battery) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GYPSY400 Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 if i upgrade to a 24 volt system/motor is it possible to still wire in my 12 volt items into that system i.e. just wire them to the +/- terminals of one of the batteries in series? (I've got a couple of live-well aerators that hook into my trolling motor battery) Yes you can do this.. Hook up the batteries in series + - + - for 24V for the new trolling motor.. But only hook up everything else to ONE battery + - for 12V Or you could wire your accessories to the engine starting battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 if i upgrade to a 24 volt system/motor is it possible to still wire in my 12 volt items into that system i.e. just wire them to the +/- terminals of one of the batteries in series? (I've got a couple of live-well aerators that hook into my trolling motor battery) Yes, you can absolutely do that..as Gypsy said. I wouldn't be overloading my main battery though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tybo Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 Do not hook up 12v too a 24v series battery.This is detrimental on the batteries.When hook up to a single 12v in 24v the single battery is only being use. The other battery doesn't push amperage into the battery being used for 12v.So now you have two different amperage's in the batteries.Then you turm on the trolling motor, Increasing the amperage draw from the 12v hooked up battery.More draw the hotter the battery gets causing damage. In a multiple battery hook, Your batteries are only as strong as the weakest one. You must use a 24 to 12v inverter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GYPSY400 Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 Do not hook up 12v too a 24v series battery.This is detrimental on the batteries.When hook up to a single 12v in 24v the single battery is only being use. The other battery doesn't push amperage into the battery being used for 12v.So now you have two different amperage's in the batteries.Then you turm on the trolling motor, Increasing the amperage draw from the 12v hooked up battery.More draw the hotter the battery gets causing damage. In a multiple battery hook, Your batteries are only as strong as the weakest one. You must use a 24 to 12v inverter. I must agree, what I stated earlier will work, but it's not ideal.. The one with 12V draw will be working harder than the other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 Bottom line is if you want more power, you need a more powerful motor. You can hook 10 batteries to your current TM and you will still have the same power....just more running time. If your just looking for more running time, adding another battery will increase running time tremendously, and also keeps your single battery from getting as run down as it would. I run two 27 series deep cycles on my 55lb MinnKota and I can troll non stop at 1.5-2mph in a good wind for about 5 hours. For positioning the boat, I can use it for days no problem. S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Entropy Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 (edited) If they are in series, you will end up with 24v regardless of which battery you hook up to. You will be getting 24v. Wouldn't you need to isolate one of the batteries with some sort of isolator to only get 12v from a 24v series set up? Entropy Edited January 2, 2012 by Entropy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Entropy Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 No, I a wrong, you could do it. Just had to picture it. Guess I'm a visual thinker, eh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeontroller Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 Confused yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GYPSY400 Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 If they are in series, you will end up with 24v regardless of which battery you hook up to. You will be getting 24v. Wouldn't you need to isolate one of the batteries with some sort of isolator to only get 12v from a 24v series set up? Entropy You would think so, but no.. If you hook up stuff only to one battery, you wil get 12V, and the 24V trolling motor will be + on one, and - on the other, with the jumper wire between them ( - to + ) giving that circuit 24V My co-worker has been running that set up for years.. He runs a 24V motor, but the rest of the boat runs on 12V. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 I'm really thinking of a 24v for the new boat (It's got a 12v 65lb PowerDrive on it now) but I got a kicker to buy this year as well. I've got an extra space in the battery compartment for battery #2, so I might just run another one in parallel to get some extra run time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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