How do I tell if I have a 12 or 24 volt system?

[kdfields2525]

I bought my boat last year and I am putting a new trolling motor on it this spring. When I bought the boat, the previous owner told me it was a 72 lb thrust but the cover was broke so he took the cover off of a 55lb motor and replaced it. So the cover says it is a 12 volt trolling motor. I would assume if it is actually a 72 lb thust it is a 24 volt system. I was wondering how I can tell for sure before I buy a new trolling motor. Also will a 12 volt trolling motor run on a 24 volt system?
Thanks.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: How do I tell if I have a 12 or 24 volt system?

you should be able to tell by how its wired, and a 12 volt one wont last long on a 24 volt system it will burn up. And just because its a 72 pound thrust you can not assume its a 24 volt motor. MY knowledge of trolling motors is limited but I have seen 12 volt , 72 pound trust trolling motors. If its a 24 volt system it will have 2 batterys, one for a 12 volt. and most people use a seprate set strictly for trolling.

 

[sutor623]

Re: How do I tell if I have a 12 or 24 volt system?

Yes but it is VERY rare to get a trolling motor at 72lbs. thrust on a 12 volt battery, unless it is a lot older.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: How do I tell if I have a 12 or 24 volt system?

Most likely it's a 24-volt system. The easiest clue will be if there is only one deep cycle battery. If so, then it's a 95% likelihood that it's a 12v system. If it's got two trolling batteries then you need to look at the setup:

12v system - Parallel: If the two positive terminals are connected and run to the positive trolling motor lead, and the two negative terminals are connected and run to the negative trolling motor lead, then you've got a 12v system running in parallel. Essentially it's using both batteries and once to deliver power.

24v system - Series: If there is a connection running from the positive terminal of one battery to the negative terminal of the other battery, you've got a 24v system likely running a 24v trolling motor.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: How do I tell if I have a 12 or 24 volt system?

Yes it is rare but with out seeing it you simply dont know, or knowing how many batterys are in the system, its sort of like saying I am having problems with my outboard, that covers from 2 hp to a 300 hp.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How do I tell if I have a 12 or 24 volt system?

If you have no idea what you have, then it is best to start at the batteries and wire things according to the motor you have. We can't see your boat and you are not telling us what you have. Details, details, details. Pictures work well.