Wiring a 24Volt trolling motor

[Fish mojo]

I just bought a model 824 Minnkota Autopilot at the sportsman show. Got 2 12V batteries. Now what?? Anyone have a decent diagram to wire it all up. The install instructions were not much help. I know the 2 batteries go in series, right? 1 battery negative to the other positve. Can it be wired to charge off the main motor charging system. The main motor charges the cranking battery fine, so should I only get a 2 bank charger? The plug connectors I saw had 3 wires for 24V- isn't it only + & -? Help is appreciated.

[Gone Fishin]

Fish Mojo,

Don't know much about it, but this should help:

HOW TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN A MINN KOTA BATTERY

Service Versus Parallel Installations
For optimal performance of your trolling motor and other electronics on your boat, batteries can be arranged differently to achieve increased capacity or increased voltage to match your specific requirements.

Parallel Installation
Two batteries connected positive (+) to positive (+) and negative (-) to negative (-) in a parallel system that increases capacity and maintains a specific voltage. This configuration doubles the power or amp hour rating of the battery while maintaining the voltage.
2 -25 AMP HOUR 12 Volt Batteries in parallel = 50 AMP HOUR 12 VOLT SYSTEM

Series Installation
A series system increases the voltage and keeps the battery capacity the same. The same two batteries in a series arrangement will increase the voltage to 24 volts and maintain a battery capacity of 25 amp hours. To install batteries in series on battery’s positive post is connected to the second battery’s negative post.

Installation & Maintenance
Minn Kota batteries should always be installed in a ventilated area. Batteries release gases during the charging phase that, exposed to spark or flame, can potentially explode. When installing a battery in your boat, it is important to use either a box or a tie down system to keep the battery stationary once underway. This will reduce unnecessary vibration.

Make sure all connections to the battery terminals are tight. Loose wires will cause sparking and arcing which can melt wires or cause explosion. Additionally, it is important to coat the terminals and connections with a corrosion inhibitor. The corrosion inhibitor should be re-applied every several months. Failure to do this will result in poor connections and wire corrosion, especially in salt water environments. Corrosion increases the resistance in the wires requiring more amps to be drawn to run electrical equipment.When installing a new battery, be sure to remove any plastic battery terminal protectors before attaching wires.

Regularly clean the battery container and terminals. Apply baking soda to any corrosion and rinse cover with water. Be sure the vent caps are tight to prevent water or baking soda from entering the cells.

RECHARGING TIPS FOR OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE

Recharge immediately after use- never let a discharged battery lie. Use a battery charger that is matched to your battery size and chemistry. Only Minn Kota On board chargers can be customized to meet the exact chemistry of your battery. Do not overcharge your battery - overcharging causes grid corrosion and can severely reduce battery life.

All this and more can be obtained from Minn-Kota's Site:
http://www.johnsonoutdoors.com/motor...ota/index.html

Good Luck!

[Fish mojo]

Thanks, Marty. Any other ideas out there? How about the ground? Do I take the black wire from the motor just back to the 2nd battery negative or do I ground it too at the hull? How about circuit breaker size?

[Trout,myster]

FM- here's how I wired my Autopilot.

Wire in parallel, you're after 24V, not 12. The diagrams in your motor's manual are good reference for this if you're not familiar with it.

Go to the autoparts (or marine store if you want to pay a little more) and buy GOOD wire. I used 6 guage wire from my batteries to the motor wiring. Bigger wire will carry current much better than the 10 guage most boats come with if yours was prewired. Just measure from your batteries to the motor and get enough red and black to do the job. Don't forget the crimp connectors.

I put a jumper between the batteries to isolate them when I plug in my on-board charger. Not required, but it works great and I feel better about having it. One wire to disconnect before charging and reconnect when I get ready to go.

I installed a 30A auto reset circuit breaker for mine and have no problems (also at Napa).

Mine works great, I can run on high all day long and not run completely out of battery.

Try to keep your wiring short as possible to the motor. You may have to compromise as my Crestliner was designed to have the batteries under the bow deck. Too much weight up front so I built a box in the windshield walkthrough, covered it with vinyl flooring (Cabela's) and it serves as both battery box and 3rd person seat when sturgeon fishing.

If you put a bow mount depthfinder on it, don't run the transducer wiring through the coiled motor wiring, your depthfinder will go nuts! Just hang it along side.

Motor is great, especially when you're backtrolling in the Columbia and trying to change baits. It does what they say it will do.

Make sure you fasten the thing down when you're running on open water!!!! I bought a RAM mount for mine after spending about $100 on my last motor. Hit a good roller up at John Day and the motor jumped out of the mount and went down. Ripped it clean off and the wiring saved it!

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Troutmyster