12/24V trolling motor problem

[chuckh0608]

I have a 2000 Xpress X56 with Motor Guide 56# Brute hand operated trolling motor. There are 2 separate sets of 6 gauge wires, each set running to its own battery. The trolling motor housing has a 12/24 volt toggle switch on the bottom. It has always worked fine. The boat has sat idle for about 2 years. I recently got 2 new batteries. Now however the trolling motor only works on 12 volt, nothing happens when I flip the switch to 24 volts. I switched the wires between batteries and the same. I checked current with a test light to make sure it was passing past the 40 amp breaker and both had current. I thought it was the trolling motor but we took it off my boat and changed with another boat. My motor works fine on the other boat. And the other motor does the same on mine not turning on 24 volt. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions as to what might be going on?? Not sure if there are other fuses etc somewhere down the line.

 

[alldodge]

I have a 2000 Xpress X56 with Motor Guide 56# Brute hand operated trolling motor. There are 2 separate sets of 6 gauge wires, each set running to its own battery. The trolling motor housing has a 12/24 volt toggle switch on the bottom. It has always worked fine. The boat has sat idle for about 2 years. I recently got 2 new batteries. Now however the trolling motor only works on 12 volt, nothing happens when I flip the switch to 24 volts. I switched the wires between batteries and the same. I checked current with a test light to make sure it was passing past the 40 amp breaker and both had current. I thought it was the trolling motor but we took it off my boat and changed with another boat. My motor works fine on the other boat. And the other motor does the same on mine not turning on 24 volt. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions as to what might be going on?? Not sure if there are other fuses etc somewhere down the line.

Howdy

I would guess the switch contacts have corroded and may need replacing. Pick up a volt meter at Wally world or other past and measure the voltage going to the motor. If you get 12V going to the motor, and not 24V when switch then it needs a switch

 

[Silvertip]

What you may have done is inadvertently mixed up the two pairs of wires. In other words, one pair of wires must go to one battery. For example you may have connected the NEG wire that should go to battery #1 on battery #2. It is possible to do the same thing with the red wires. Those pairs must not be mixed but it doesn't matter which pair goes to either battery.

 

[gm280]

Rereading you initial post, it is a little miss-leading. But it does sound like you have the two batteries in a parallel configuration instead of a series setup that you do need for the 24 volt operation.

For a test, try wiring one battery in series with the second one and apply the positive from one and the negative from the other to the trolling motor and see it that makes it run. But only with the trolling motor set to the 24 volt option. I am betting it will. SO I THINK, you have the initial wiring in a parallel configuration. Howe ver that is only a wild guess not being there and testing things myself.

Be careful when trying things and make sure you know what you are doing. If you don't understand how series and parallel wiring wroks, then get some local help with that.




Hope this helps

 

[chuckh0608]

Silvertip, I did take that into consideration and switched the negatives just to see, but it did not work. I usually tape the wire sets together when i disconnect from the batteries as to not mix them. AllDodge, are you referring to the 12/24V switch on the trolling motor housing?? This switch worked on 24V when I put the trolling motor on another boat. Are there any switches between the batteries and the mounted plug in the boat wiring system?.

 

[alldodge]

You said

nothing happens when I flip the switch to 24 volts

So I was referring to the switch you mentioned.

Silvertip, I did take that into consideration and switched the negatives just to see, but it did not work. I usually tape the wire sets together when i disconnect from the batteries as to not mix them. AllDodge, are you referring to the 12/24V switch on the trolling motor housing?? This switch worked on 24V when I put the trolling motor on another boat. Are there any switches between the batteries and the mounted plug in the boat wiring system?.

Maybe clarify what your talking about. Here is a 12/24 receptical

 

[Silvertip]

There are a couple of different 12/24 volt wiring schemes depending on what's between the batteries and the motor. Some boats have a switch on the panel where the trolling motor receptacle is located. That switch is normally labeled 12/24V Run/Charge or something similar. Boats in later years tend to NOT have that switch relying on the foot pedal switch. Since you have a four wire system and the motor works fine on another boat, then the problem is definitely in the wiring on your boat. You need to start at the receptacle since you know the plug itself is ok. Check the wiring on the back side of the receptacle to ensure none of the wires have come loose or are corroded. If all appears ok there, you move back to the breakers and the batteries.You can isolate a bad connection by measuring voltage with the motor turned on. If you measure less than 12.6 volts where you know there should be 12.6, you found the problem. Connect and disconnect the plug from the receptacle about six or eight times. This burnishes the contacts and creates a good connection inside the receptacle. With the motor turned on, wiggle the plug and any wiring to help isolate a bad connection.