12/24 volt switch

Gator325

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Dec 4, 2017
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I bought a Champion bass boat. It has been modified to use a 24 volt trolling motor. There was a switch on the front deck that says "12v charting/24v running" with a 3 pin socket under it to plug the trolling motor in. I suspect it originally allowed a 12 volt charger to charge both batteries and then switch to run to use the 24 volt trolling motor. with the switch missing I wonder if a wiring diagram exists to rewire it?
Currently it just has both batteries in series with a 24 volt maintenance charger that boiled one battery dry. Any suggestions?
 

alldodge

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Mar 8, 2009
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40,582
Currently it just has both batteries in series with a 24 volt maintenance charger that boiled one battery dry. Any suggestions?

Sounds like your putting 24V into a 12V single battery. The 12/24V connector is good for power but not so much for charging IMO. Going to need to post a few more time (post 2, post 3, post 4) then you can upload a pic of how you have it wired
 

Silvertip

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Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,758
Look at that switch panel very carefully. That switch is reading 12/24V RUN/CHARGE. That means the switch in the RUN position you get 12 AND 24 volts to the motor foot pedal. The CHARGE position allows charging a 24 volt system through the trolling motor receptacle. 12/24 operation is selected at the MOTOR foot control, not by this switch. Since this boat is new to you, but otherwise used, only the original or prior owner(s) know if that system has been tampered with. This can be a very lengthy discussion trying to explain what you MIGHT have since we can't see your boat and the switch is missing. Three wire systems use black for 12/24 ground. The other two are 12 volts and 24 volts. To use this system, the trolling motor plug must have either 2 wires from the motor for 12 volt only or 24 volt only operation (not switch selectable). You have one or the other. If the troller has a three wire harness and three terminal plug it is a dual voltage motor and there should be a 12/24 switch on the foot pedal. You really don't need the RUN/CHARGE switch. Your charger is likely responsible for the battery issue or that battery had an issue. Two batteries in series are no different that one battery with many cells. A modern smart charger should not boil a battery. Boat manufacturers in more recent years are running two pairs of wires (one pair from each battery) to the panel at the bow. The troller connector would then have four terminals. The 12/24 voltage selection is again, either done with the foot control switch, or a jumper in the plug does the series connection for 24 volts on a 24 volt ONLY motor. Yes -- it's tough to wrap ones head around this but that's what "evolution" in boating has done for us.
 
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