Connecting Trolling Motor to 230V or 110V AC Supply

[egwj26]

Not too sure if my question is relevant here, but I would like to ask if anyone knows if we can connect, say, 36V DC Trolling Motor directly to main power supply of 230V or 110V AC?

Say, if I get a transformer to step down the 230V or 110V AC to 36V DC, will the motor still be able to function as proper and speed adjust as proper?

Hope someone can help with this. Thanks.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Connecting Trolling Motor to 230V or 110V AC Supply

If you want to destroy the electronics in the motor by all means connect it. Trolling motors operate from DC power - not AC. If you added a rectifier and regulator on the output of the transformer, yes it could work. But a direct feed of ANY AC voltage will muck it up. And just where would this 110/230 volts of AC come from? I'm guessing an on-board generator? If that's the case, why not use the batteries as the motor requires, and then use a one bank (12 volt), 2 bank (24 volt) or 3 bank (36 volt) on-board charger powered from the generator to keep the batteries charged. Simple and a heck of a lot cheaper than the transformer. You would need components that handle 25 to as much as 60 amps if you went the transformer, rectifier, regulator route. That stuff is not cheap. Current handling obviously varies by the troller motor type. But a 55# 12V motor can pull about 46 amps. 24 and 36 volt motors less but again that depends on how big those motors are.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Connecting Trolling Motor to 230V or 110V AC Supply

Gonna need one heck of an extension cord...

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Connecting Trolling Motor to 230V or 110V AC Supply

Ummmmmmm ok.

There has to be a reason beihnd this idea, so how about you get down to the reason why you feel the need to do this.

First of all a 110VAC to 36VDC power supply is going to be an expensive item, it's also going to be a heavy item as well.

 

[egwj26]

Re: Connecting Trolling Motor to 230V or 110V AC Supply

Hi All,

Thanks for your reply.

Actually, I'm trying to rebuilt a swim current generator, ExerSwim. I've actually talk to Spectrum Product, manufacturer of Exerswim, who uses trolling motor to power their swim current generator, but we would like to eliminate the use of batteries. They say we could do our own modification but couldn't assist us due to prior agreement with their previous owner.

Anyone of you has bright ideas how we can go about doing this?

Ummmmmmm ok.

There has to be a reason beihnd this idea, so how about you get down to the reason why you feel the need to do this.

First of all a 110VAC to 36VDC power supply is going to be an expensive item, it's also going to be a heavy item as well.

 

[Jerryh3]

Re: Connecting Trolling Motor to 230V or 110V AC Supply

Hi All,

Thanks for your reply.

Actually, I'm trying to rebuilt a swim current generator, ExerSwim. I've actually talk to Spectrum Product, manufacturer of Exerswim, who uses trolling motor to power their swim current generator, but we would like to eliminate the use of batteries. They say we could do our own modification but couldn't assist us due to prior agreement with their previous owner.

Anyone of you has bright ideas how we can go about doing this?

Replace the motor.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Connecting Trolling Motor to 230V or 110V AC Supply

If you can supply reasonably clean 36 VDC at sufficient amperage, the motor should work just fine. However, you are talking big bucks to do so. You are proably better off just using the unit as designed (3 deep cycle batteries, recharging as needed).

 

[joed]

Re: Connecting Trolling Motor to 230V or 110V AC Supply

The amps required are going to make this expensive.
If you goggle '36volt dc power supply' you find many. You just need to find one that has the correct current rating.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Connecting Trolling Motor to 230V or 110V AC Supply

Since we now know this is a land-based project (see how important these little details are) why not locate the same style of motor that is currently in this unit. The planet is full of AC and DC motors. We still are not sure exactly what parts of this system is broken and what needs to be replaced. Details, details, details!

 

[egwj26]

Re: Connecting Trolling Motor to 230V or 110V AC Supply

This is a truly land-based residential project and the motor used in the system is a 36V DC Trolling Motor.

We intend to power it up by using residential power supply, by converting the 110V AC to 36V DC and with GFCI. However, as most have commented, the transformer will be expensive and hard to come by, we are thinking of finding a motor which has performance which is equivalent to the 36V DC Trolling motor.

If you have any recommendations, please do advise and thank in advance.

Since we now know this is a land-based project (see how important these little details are) why not locate the same style of motor that is currently in this unit. The planet is full of AC and DC motors. We still are not sure exactly what parts of this system is broken and what needs to be replaced. Details, details, details!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Connecting Trolling Motor to 230V or 110V AC Supply

If this unit you have is indeed powered with a 36 volt trolling motor, then that unit also has an AC-to-DC converter in it which is a glorified battery charger of sorts - albeit a big one since it must handle in the range of 30 amps. So -- the next question is: What is it that is not working -- the motor, the converter, or both. No sense looking for a motor if all that's broken is the converter. If the converter is ok and the motor is bad, then a 36 volt trolling motor will work. MinnKota and MotorGuide both make them. Not knowing how this system is constructed, we must assume the motor is actually submerged which therefore means it must be sealed. If that's the case, then your choices of off-the-shelf motors is going to be very limited although you might look at Bow and Stern Thruster motors used to move boats sideways.

For replacement of the converter, you can do a search using the following search terms:
- DC Power Supply
- 36 volt DC power supply
- AC to DC power converter
- Heavy duty 36 volt power supply

Keep in mind that input power must be 110 or 230 volts AC and output must be 36 volts DC. Those are easy to find and relatively inexpensive. BUT -- the kicker is the output current requirement for a trolling motor is very high. You need a converter that can provide 30 amps or so.

While I will continue to help with this you need to help us understand the physical makeup of this unit. We can't see it, and we (at least I won't) research this when you have the unit in front of you. Pictures are worth a thousand words so don't make us pull info from you. The more info you provide the quicker the solution appears.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Connecting Trolling Motor to 230V or 110V AC Supply

Say, if I get a transformer to step down the 230V or 110V AC to 36V DC, will the motor still be able to function as proper and speed adjust as proper?

The only 36V trolling motor's I've seen are "electronic" and the speed is adjusted with an electronic controller. So,,, you will need to find a 120/240V input, 36V output PWM motor controller, where you would find one of those,,, I don't know.

If it's just the motor that's burned out, it can be rebuilt or replaced. I rebuilt my 24V 70# MinnKota (trolling) motor for about $100, armature, brushes, etc.

What's the problem with the battery power supply, dead batteries, charger bad?

Have any pictures of what you are working on?

 

[egwj26]

Re: Connecting Trolling Motor to 230V or 110V AC Supply

Hi All,

Thanks for your reply.

Let me clarify my issues first. I am actually embarking on a new project, that is, to power up ExerSwim (www.exerswim.net) without batteries. As batteries has to undergo recharging and power will run dry if power is turn on continuously (more than 8 hours).

And ExerSwim is actually powered up by 36V DC motor. Hence, looking into ways to power the 36V DC motor. However, it seems that the search for the transformer or converter is tough as the norm is not 36V DC. Thus, after much work, I am intending to looking into looking for another motor which will produce similar power like the 36V DC motor, but perhaps power up by 48V DC motor. (where 48V DC power supply is more common in the market).

Hope this clarify the situation here.

Once again, your advise is greatly appreciated!! Thanks!!

If this unit you have is indeed powered with a 36 volt trolling motor, then that unit also has an AC-to-DC converter in it which is a glorified battery charger of sorts - albeit a big one since it must handle in the range of 30 amps. So -- the next question is: What is it that is not working -- the motor, the converter, or both. No sense looking for a motor if all that's broken is the converter. If the converter is ok and the motor is bad, then a 36 volt trolling motor will work. MinnKota and MotorGuide both make them. Not knowing how this system is constructed, we must assume the motor is actually submerged which therefore means it must be sealed. If that's the case, then your choices of off-the-shelf motors is going to be very limited although you might look at Bow and Stern Thruster motors used to move boats sideways.

For replacement of the converter, you can do a search using the following search terms:
- DC Power Supply
- 36 volt DC power supply
- AC to DC power converter
- Heavy duty 36 volt power supply

Keep in mind that input power must be 110 or 230 volts AC and output must be 36 volts DC. Those are easy to find and relatively inexpensive. BUT -- the kicker is the output current requirement for a trolling motor is very high. You need a converter that can provide 30 amps or so.

While I will continue to help with this you need to help us understand the physical makeup of this unit. We can't see it, and we (at least I won't) research this when you have the unit in front of you. Pictures are worth a thousand words so don't make us pull info from you. The more info you provide the quicker the solution appears.

 

[Jerryh3]

Re: Connecting Trolling Motor to 230V or 110V AC Supply

Can you post a picture of the existing motor's nameplate.

 

[egwj26]

Re: Connecting Trolling Motor to 230V or 110V AC Supply

There's no existing motor's nameplate. But here's the photo of the motor.

Can you post a picture of the existing motor's nameplate.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Connecting Trolling Motor to 230V or 110V AC Supply

You still haven't answered the question if this motor is actually submerged during operation? I suspect it is but a yes or no would be helpful. I still contend that using a 36 volt troller, three batteries in series and adding a high capacity three bank marine on-board charger is going to be the simplest, easiest and most economical solution to this. Consider that the batteries and charger do not have to be located in the immediate vicinity of this unit. Closer is better obviously but not essential. In operation the entire system can be left powered continuously. The charger will serve to provide "make-up" power during operation, and "charging" when the motor is turned off. Here is the approximate cost, excluding the motor. If the system is not used for more than a couple hours at a time the size of the charger can be reduced and perhaps group 24 batteries could be used.

30A Charger (3 banks): $369.00
3 Batteries (group 27 deep cycle): $225.00

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Connecting Trolling Motor to 230V or 110V AC Supply

I disagree. Buying a surplus power supply that puts out that kind of voltage/current would be way more economical.

 

[egwj26]

Re: Connecting Trolling Motor to 230V or 110V AC Supply

Silvertip > Yes, the motor will be used underwater (submerged).

bruceb58> Do you have any recommendation for the surplus power supply? I have been searching for it for days and contacting numerous supplier, but yet to get any positive feedback from them. It seems that 36V DC is very rare and the common one are 24V DC and 48V DC. Please advise.

Thanks all once again!!

 

[Jerryh3]

Re: Connecting Trolling Motor to 230V or 110V AC Supply

Here:
http://www.trcelectronics.com/Meanwell/se-600-36.shtml
Never mind. Looking at the current draw for a 100# thrust trolling motor, you're going need a very big power supply.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Connecting Trolling Motor to 230V or 110V AC Supply

This is the same company offering a 36VDC @ 42A max, this is what you would want to get, but look at the price! Over $1000! No guarantee as to how long it would last at max amperage. It has safety features (thermal protection etc). http://www.trcelectronics.com/Cosel/pba1500f-36.shtml

Probably would also want a noise filter to go with it too...
The one they offer only handles 20A.