Thread: 12/24 Wiring

I just bought a 1989 Pro 17 Bass Tracker that I'm wanting to put a Motor Guide (2003) Pro Guide 6700 (67 lb. thrust) on. The plug on the wiring says 12/24. I pulled the cover away off the plug and it has 2 wires (red & black). The foot control has no 12/24 switch. I was wanting to run three batteries if possible, One for cranking and two for trolling. I was hoping to have more troll time. I read several posts on the subject but I'm still confused and wanted to be safer than sorry. (1)Can I keep the cranking batt. seperate from my trolling batteries so I don't run it down trolling? (2)Do I run the trolling batteries in series? Is this a 24 volt motor? (3)Do I need to have a common ground going to the cranking batt. to avoid electrolysis? (4) Where do I run the wiring for my fuse box and accessories?, (don't want to fry anything). Will it be 12 or 24 volts coming from the two batteries? (5)Is my wiring coming from up front (eight guage?) enough to handle this and what size fuse? Any help is greatly appreciated.

you will only need the black and red wires at the trolling motor for your trolling motor to run on 24 volts. if you want to be able to run it on 12 volt and 24 volts you would need 3 wires (red/ white / black) is normal. 1 question? does the trolling motor have 2 wires or 3 wires(red / black or red/ white / black)?normally if i remember correctly red/ black is a straight 24 volt system. white / black is a 12 volt system. if your motor is a straight 24 volt system then you use the red / black on your trolling motor to the same color wires on your boat. then at the battery compartment you wire the batteries in series. red wire to the positive terminal of battery #1 a jumper wire from the negative terminal of battery #1 to the positive terminal of battery #2. then the black wire to the negative terminal to battery #2. this should give you 24 volts. this should get you going. if these instructions are incorrect i'm sure someone will correct me. but maybe this will help.

Thanks for the help Bigfish, I was waiting to see if anyone else was going to add anything. I thought there would be some wiring gurues out there but I guess it's kinda slow this time of year. That sure is some beautiful country there in Alabama. I just went through there going from Memphis to Savannah GA. to pick up a boat motor and went through Birmingham and loved it. What about that Coosa River, you ever fish it? Next time I go I'm TAKING my boat. Well, thanks again for your help.

Yes I Fish Mostly On The Coosa River. I Try To Fish 2 Or 3 Days A Week When I Am Working And 4 Or More When I Am Off. It Is A Chain Of Lakes That Make Up One Great Fishery. Friday I Fish Lake Jordan The Last Coosa River Lake. We Had 5 Beautiful Spotted Bass That Weighed About 18lbs. Crappie Have Been A Little Slow For Me The Last Couple Of Weeks. But They Should Be Cranking Up Good In The Next Few Weeks.

I am thinking that most boats now have 6 guage wire running to the TM. 8 guage might not handle the amperage the TM will require. If the 8 guage gets warm or hot during use you will porbably need to increase the size of the wire.

Originally Posted by Ranger R61

I am thinking that most boats now have 6 guage wire running to the TM. 8 guage might not handle the amperage the TM will require. If the 8 guage gets warm or hot during use you will porbably need to increase the size of the wire.

Minn Kota requires 6 gauge wire or it will void the warranty. I am not sure how they will know what size wire you use, but I did change mine over to 6 gauge...Just to be on the safe side.