24 volt trolling motor wires running HOT!!!

astrokc8

Cadet
Joined
Oct 3, 2009
Messages
24
After running my 12/24 volt trolling motor on high speed at 24 volts for approx 5 minutes I just reached down and touched the plug wires from the trolling motor to the connecter at the front of the boat. OUCH!! those wires were HOT HOT HOT. I went to the back of the boat and the positive cable to the battery was also Hot. Two battery set up with the jumper wire for either 12/24 volt operation is this normal. The harness for two batteries is the original for the boat.
 

jtexas

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 13, 2003
Messages
8,646
Re: 24 volt trolling motor wires running HOT!!!

what size circuit breaker does your owners manual recommend, and what size breaker are you using?

could be maybe wire size is inadequate. How long are the wires from batt to T/M, and what gauge?
 

ronnieb09

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 27, 2009
Messages
41
Re: 24 volt trolling motor wires running HOT!!!

Sounds like your exceeding the ampacity of the cables. What size wire? Have a DC clamp-on ammeter? Hopefully you're protecting the wires with a circuit breaker?
 

stevetedder

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 24, 2010
Messages
111
Re: 24 volt trolling motor wires running HOT!!!

Agreed, based on limited info. My first guess would be too small of wires. Depending on motor draw and length og cables 8 or 6 AWG should prob. be used.
 
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