is it possible to power a 12 volt accessory off of a 24v trolling motor set up?

[wrestler20]

Hello, i have a 24 volt trolling motor and the batteries are wired for 24 volt. What i am wondering is if i can run a 12 volt stereo/depth finder off of one of those batteries by just hooking up like you would if the battery was standing alone? My starter battery is running entirely too many accessories and i would like to at least get the stereo running off of one of the trolling batteries if at all possible. Anyone know anything about this? I don't really want to hook it up and watch my depthfinder or stereo fry. Thanks in advance!<br /><br />Steve

 

[ndemge]

Re: is it possible to power a 12 volt accessory off of a 24v trolling motor set

Re: is it possible to power a 12 volt accessory off of a 24v trolling motor set

I'm not SURE... BUT.... I think you can<br /><br />Reason I don't see why you can't... If you put a volt meter on just ONE of them,you get your 12v reading. Shouldn't cause any problems. (in my mind)

 

[SingleShot]

Re: is it possible to power a 12 volt accessory off of a 24v trolling motor set

Re: is it possible to power a 12 volt accessory off of a 24v trolling motor set

Yes you can, like the post above, just make sure you hook the neg and pos correctly. Run the wire direct to the electronics you want to power. I'm not sure how you boat is wired but you will want to make the connections to the battery directy. Also, be sure to put inline fuses in from the battery connections you make. If you decide to move the wires to the other battery at some point you will need to move both + to + - to -<br /><br />SingleShot

 

[notinbig]

Re: is it possible to power a 12 volt accessory off of a 24v trolling motor set

Re: is it possible to power a 12 volt accessory off of a 24v trolling motor set

USE A VOLTMETER!!!!! YOU ARE GETTING 24 VOLTS WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THE RADIO ETC WILL DRAW ANYTHING ELSE? YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING. YOUR RADIO MAY WORK FROM 9-18,19,20 VOLTS YOU MAY THINK YOU HAVE IT RIGHT TILL YOUR ON THE WATER AND THERE IS SMOKE COMING FROM YOUR ELECTRICAL BOX!!!!

 

[wrestler20]

Re: is it possible to power a 12 volt accessory off of a 24v trolling motor set

Re: is it possible to power a 12 volt accessory off of a 24v trolling motor set

I plan on using a voltmeter when i finally do go to hook everything up, i just didn't want to run the wires and everything just to find out that it isn't even possible. I figured you could for the reasons stated above and the fact that you charge each battery with a 12 volt charger wired just like it would be if the battery was standing alone even though they are hooked together. Besides, it wouldn't be right if something didn't start smoking when i am out on the water. I wouldn't want to get lulled into a false sense of security or anything...

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: is it possible to power a 12 volt accessory off of a 24v trolling motor set

Re: is it possible to power a 12 volt accessory off of a 24v trolling motor set

You do not need a volt meter, just connect to both terminals of the same battery, and "viola" you have 12 volts. No way to get 14,16, 18, 20, or 22 volts from the post of two modern batteries, with out cutting into them, and making internal connections. You will either have 12, or 24 volts.

 

[Bondo]

Re: is it possible to power a 12 volt accessory off of a 24v trolling motor set

Re: is it possible to power a 12 volt accessory off of a 24v trolling motor set

Yep, No Problem At All.....

 

[bubbakat]

Re: is it possible to power a 12 volt accessory off of a 24v trolling motor set

Re: is it possible to power a 12 volt accessory off of a 24v trolling motor set

Just go and buy a step down switch and forget the worry. They use them in big rigs all the time

 

[bluemax]

Re: is it possible to power a 12 volt accessory off of a 24v trolling motor set

Re: is it possible to power a 12 volt accessory off of a 24v trolling motor set

No problem. Just make your connections to the terminals of one of the batteries. Watch your polarity. The red wire on your 12 volt device must go to the positive terminal of the selected battery. I agree with singleshot about the inline fuse. They and holders are available at any auto store. Even the automotive section of Wal Mart.

 

[duck-n-pond]

Re: is it possible to power a 12 volt accessory off of a 24v trolling motor set

Re: is it possible to power a 12 volt accessory off of a 24v trolling motor set

Assuming you are using two 12v batteries in series, no problem at all. As a rule of thumb, I would suggest you use the battery that connects a ground to your trolling motor. To do otherwise may cause freaky problems with floating grounds if this battery system is connected to other electrics in the boat or if it is grounded to the boat itself (metal or alum). ALWAYS use a common ground point. The disadvantage of this method is unequal drain on individual batteries. Also, as mentioned above, you can use a step-down voltage regulator as mentioned above. The disadvantage of this method is higher inital cost and any conversion AC or DC comes at a high power consumption cost. If your 12vdc load is small, say a GPS, either method will be fine. If you or a buddy is handy at electronics, you can make a 1 or 2 amp regulator for $5 or $10. Just search the web for plans.

 

[mrn714]

Re: is it possible to power a 12 volt accessory off of a 24v trolling motor set

Re: is it possible to power a 12 volt accessory off of a 24v trolling motor set

Make sure to use an inline fusable link.