When you double the voltage, amperage is cut nearly in half, everything else equal. Say your motor requires 50 amps wide open with 12 volt, I believe you're probably looking at ~30 amps with 24 to do the same work.
I've got an older Motorguide, Model No. 750 Brute, 12/24 volt 50 lb thrust
Does anyone know the amperage draw and rated thrust for the various levels?
12 volt - setting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
24 volt - setting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
I've looked online for the amp ratings, but can't find a clear answer. The closest thing I've found is that a 12 volt 50 lb thrust draws 50 amps max, but what I can't figure out is if my trolling motor is rated for 50 lb thrust at 12 volt, or is it 50 lb thrust at 24 volt?
The main reason I ask is that the boat has 3 each (red, white, black) of 8 AWG wires from the bow to the batteries in the rear, with each wire being about 18 ft long. The 3 wires are for the 12/24 system.
If I am drawing 50 amps on 12 volts the 8 AWG is insufficient/too small to carry the amp demand - I apparently had a heat issue last summer at some point at the plug-in, the male plug melted a little bit. I have since replaced the plug and I'm trying to determine the cause and whether or not I need to eliminate the 12 volt option and simply stay on 24 volts. I just need some good data to base that decision on.
When you double the voltage, amperage is cut nearly in half, everything else equal. Say your motor requires 50 amps wide open with 12 volt, I believe you're probably looking at ~30 amps with 24 to do the same work.
Usually a heat issue is caused by a bad connection. The bad connection cause higher resistance thus creating heat. 8 gauge at that length is more than sufficient for 12 or 24. My only concern about going straight 24 is going to be speed control.
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Charlie Weaver USN/ENC 1965-1979
Minn Kota recommends 4 AWG for 12 volts 50 lb thrust
https://www.minnkotamotors.com/sites...le_1-22-19.pdf
Check wiring terminal connections for corrosion. That model tm has been out of production for a long time. If you are seeing black or green colored corrosion anywhere in the system, you are looking at an area of high resistance that may not be picked up by way of a meter. Also, the heat is generated at the point of resistance. So you may have already corrected your problem.
I'd rather be fishing.