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Posts: 29
| I just upgraded to a 24 volt motor and was wondering about the size breaker has to be. Currently my 12 volt system has a 50 amp breaker, would that be big unough. Thanks in advance. |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | If you bought a 80# motor at full speed it needs 58. Amps.I had the 50 and I ran it at full speed the brakes would trip i up graded to the 60 no more problems |
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Posts: 29
| What breaker does everyone suggest? |
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Posts: 791
Location: WI | Your unit should have a wiring requirement on it. Make sure everything is sized and rated properly. Wire, Overcurrent protection, terminals. |
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Posts: 29
| Are there breakers made specifically for 24 volts, or are they standard with 12 volt? |
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Posts: 410
Location: With my son on the water | I can understand why you are asking this. I just bought a Terrova and the wiring diagram is not very good. The literature mentions a breaker but doesn't show where to put in the diagram.
So to answer you question and confirm I am doing it correctly.
1. You always want to be using at least 6 gage wire, heavier is better.
2. You want a 60 amp breaker for a 24 volt trolling motor. (I have been told to put this on the positive wire, not sure about that?)
3. The other thing that will increase battery life is to put a disconnect switch on the wire between the + & - that connects each battery and turn it off when the system is being charged or not in use.
VMS if you are reading this can you confirm this is correct.
Thanks and have a good day. 
Edited by btfish 3/31/2014 5:15 AM
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Posts: 295
| Depends on what kind of motor you have. I would call the company and find out for sure... Minn kota said to use a 50 amp fuse/breaker with a maxxum 70lb 24 volt. |
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Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
The best thing you can do is look at the maximum amperage the motor will pull at the highest speed on the motor you purchased. Then, buy a breaker that is just above that maximum amperage.
When setting up your breaker system, you want to have a breaker just above maximum so you can run full speed if need be, but trip if the motor draws anything more due prop stoppage, etc. This way, you will always protect your motor from frying.
Steve |
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Posts: 5874
| Also, put the breaker at the battery end. Doesn't really matter if on the + or -. I always ran 2, 1 on each, on my rigs, but it's not really necessary.
80 pound Terrova use a 60A breaker. A 50 will trip at full speed. 6 ga MARINE grade wire will be sufficient. |
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Posts: 3242
Location: Racine, Wi | Question. There's a gazillion threads in internet land about this (wiring a 24v system). But the more I read, the more confused I get.
Soooo, my boat is currently (no pun intended) wired with 8ga. Wire from the batteries to female recepticle. There is a round trip of about 10' total as the batteries are up front in my boat, and close to the motor. Would 8ga. Be okay here, and if so, would a 60 amp circuit breaker still work, or would I have to go lower to a 50 amp breaker?
I'm not opposed to desiring with 6/60, but if there's no need to, why do it? |
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Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
8 gauge I believe is rated to 40 amp, but am not 100% on that. The small the wire, the less current it can carry, so if it is possible, I'd upgrade to 6 gauge wire with a 60 amp breaker for a 24 volt system. 8 gauge is most likely set up for 12 volts.
Steve |
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Posts: 29
| When I called and talked to a rep at minn Kota they told me that 8 guage would be plenty for my 24 volt 80 lb motor up to 20ft of length, and a 60 amp breaker wold work with 8 guage as well |
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Posts: 791
Location: WI | This is something that is hotly contested here. I am a certified electrician as Shep is I believe. That being said if you are going to run a 60 amp breaker you need to run 6 gauge wire. Also there are voltage drop tables available on line for 12 and 24 v circuits and marine wire.
Also as sheep said it is important to put the breaker on the battery side of the circuit to also protect the wire from the very high amperage potential from the battery. |
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Posts: 6
| Ok so being electricity challenged. I have a question then. The dealer told me hook up the terrova w 8ga and a 60 amp fuse because of the short run. It has run flawlessly for 4 years of 4 -5 days a week. What is the drawback to 8 over 6? Decreased battery life? Loss of top end power? Just wondering.
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Posts: 791
Location: WI | The wire is not rated for 60 amps no matter the length. The draw back it that the wire will deteriorate due to over heating. There is also potential to damage the trolling motor. It may work fine in theory but no matter what the wire is not rated for the load and eventually you will have problems. Bottom line. |
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Posts: 791
Location: WI | Here's a table straight from a marine wire manufacture showing size for marine grade tinned wire based on length of wire and ampacity.
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 image.jpg (55KB - 151 downloads)
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Posts: 10
| Wen you guys say to put the breaker on the battery side....what does that mean? Would anywhere on the positive line from the female plug to the first battery on the 24V system work? |
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Posts: 29
| I am no electrician, that is why i am asking all you guys for help. That being said...my next question is this. I rewired my boat with 6 ga wire, no problem. I got to looking at my trolling motor(80lb fortrex) and noticed that the wires coming out of the power head are only 10 ga. So how is that efficient? |
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Posts: 52
| I was thinking the same thing. I know its only a 3 foot run but I would think it would be a little heavier than 10ga. |
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Posts: 106
| NewKidonBlock - 4/16/2014 8:34 AM
Wen you guys say to put the breaker on the battery side....what does that mean? Would anywhere on the positive line from the female plug to the first battery on the 24V system work?
The breaker should be on the positive wire near the battery. |
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Posts: 791
Location: WI | One of the reasons for putting the breaker on the battery is to protect the wire at the rated voltage. Your battery has very high potential (+800amps) in most cases. Let's say the wires become pinched somehow or rub on a metal part of the hull. If you had a short and the breaker is on the trolling motor side the wires would burn until they are free. I have seen pictures of a boat that had a short to the hull and it actually burned a hole through the aluminum.
Think off it like your home. Your breakers are on the line(power) side of the circuit thus protecting all of the circuit including the wire.
Edited by Trophyseeker50 4/16/2014 4:39 PM
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