1998 tracker targa wt 17

[fbjb4]

i just bought a 1998 wt17 tracker targa and it came with a 12 volt 48 pound thrust bow mount trolling motor. the old fella i bought it from said "i never could make that d--- thing work right!!!!" well its my guess it isnt big enough for the boat. so here is my question. it says in operators manual that boat is either wired with a 12 volt or a 12/24 volt wiring harness for the trolling motor. it also says that that wiring is independent of everything else. how do i tell if it is wired 24?? id like to put a bigger trolling motor on it. thanks for any help you may offer.

 

[rndn]

Re: 1998 tracker targa wt 17

I highly doubt the motor is too small for your boat. My 21 footer came with a 40# thrust and I only replaced it to get some added options and even then went to a 55# thrust. It moves the boat along nicely and is able to handle rough waves and wind.
If your boat is wired for 24 volts, you should be able to see it with a meter at the connection.

 

[JB]

Re: 1998 tracker targa wt 17

48# is plenty for that tracker unless you want to plane it on the battery.

 

[fbjb4]

Re: 1998 tracker targa wt 17

it isnt currently set up 24 volt and seems to me i better not hook batterys up that way until i know???????

 

[rndn]

Re: 1998 tracker targa wt 17

Do a search on this forum for 24 volt wiring. You'll find many great diagrams for how to wire up a 24 volt motor. If your current 12 volt motor is not working the way it should, is it possible the wiring is under sized for the amperage draw and distance the wires are run?

 

[stylesabu]

Re: 1998 tracker targa wt 17

do you have a volt meter? to check if you wiring is too long for gauge of wire, or a bad connection. check voltage at battery when trolling motor is on then check voltage at trolling motor. it should drop more than a couple of tenths of a volt. if connection is the issue you will see a big voltage drop, if wires are to small they will get hot with in seconds.you shoud be running 10 gauge wire to trolling motor, both power and ground need to be same size