Wiring 24v system "jumper" wire

[kansasducker]

I bought a new 24v 70# Motorguide to replace my short shafted 24v evinrude trolling motor on my Stratos F/S. Currently running a 24v system with the evinrude trolling motor and I think both batteries are directly wired to the accessory plug on the front of the boat instead of just one set of wires running up there combining off both batteries(not sure though). With the new trolling motor, they enclose a "jumper" wire to wire from the positive terminal on one battery to the negative terminal on the 2nd battery. Needless to say, you could have welded heavy steel with the arc that I struck when the wire touched the negative terminal I was trying to put it on.!! What the heck was I doing wrong?

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Wiring 24v system "jumper" wire

Your bateries should already be hooked in series if you are already running a 24V system. Did you have the other end of each battery already hooked up to something, if you did, then as soon as you connect the positive and negative of the 2 batteries it is instantly putting a load on it. Make sure the other + and - ends are not hooked up to anything.<br /><br />P.S. Welcome to iboats.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wiring 24v system "jumper" wire

If your original setup had both batteries wired separately to the plug, your motor plug likely had three terminals. This was likely to provide the option of 12 or 24 volt operation. The new motor likely has just two wires - (24V only) so the plug needs to be required so only two terminals are used. Doesn't matter which two, as long as they match the two on the motor plug. You should now be able to install the required jumper between + on battery #1 and - on battery #2. + on battery #2 goes to the plug and - on battery #1 also goes to the plug. Have fun.

 

[kansasducker]

Re: Wiring 24v system "jumper" wire

what guage wire should I be running for a 70# 24v system and what amp circuit breaker?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wiring 24v system "jumper" wire

Probably a 50A breaker. The MotorGuide web site or your owners manual will have wire size info.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Wiring 24v system "jumper" wire

Originally posted by kansasducker:<br /> ... Needless to say, you could have welded heavy steel with the arc that I struck when the wire touched the negative terminal I was trying to put it on.!! What the heck was I doing wrong?

When you connect the [+] of bat 1 to the [-] of bat 2, the arc (that scares the crap out of you!) is normal. There is a lot of potential power in a battery, they are attempting to equalize in a fraction of a second.<br /><br />A good practice is to always connect the [+] terminal first, and disconnect it last.<br /><br />If you have any question about the integrity of the bat’s connection, feel the bat cable you are connecting. If things are not right, it will be getting very hot, very fast. <br /><br />Btw, welcome to the forum. The better half of my family hails from Kansas, East side, Cherokee area.