View Full Version : 24V vs. 36V Trolling Motor
I have a 70lb Minn Kota Power Drive trolling motor on my boat.
If I installed a 101 lb 36V Minn Kota Terrova or something similar, at 2 miles per hour, how much longer would I be able to troll with it?
Several opinions would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Bob
About 60% if the battery you add is the same as the two you already have.
It all comes down to number of electrons stored in your battery and how fast you pull them out. Going from 2-3 batteries increases your electrons stored by 50%. Sharing the same load across 3 batteries instead of 2 means you are going to draw at a lower rate per battery and thus get more out of them. I'd guess this will give you an extra 10% capacity.
walleyejim1216
12-01-2009, 05:52 PM
Alls i can tell you is I feel the terova is something I could not do without! It is a weapon! They use a little more juice with the auto pilot but it's worth it!!!
FYI, with my 24V 80lb Terrova on autopilot at 40% thrust, I can troll at 1.5-2MPH with little/no wind for about 6 hours using 2 Walmart Everstart starting/deep cycle batteries (the largest size they sold). This is with a 21' boat. If the wind is blowing, I troll with the wind and set the motor at 30% thrust and can fish 8-10 hours. The only time I ever wished I had the 36V version is when I'm trying to troll into the wind 20mph+ winds.
If I were you, I'd go for the 24V model and use the money saved for a minnkota alternator charger. It never charges the batteries completely, but I've been on 4 day excursions where I fished 10-14 hours everyday and never needed to plug into a charger. My batteries never dropped below 50% the hole trip.
I debated back and forth about 24 vs 36 volt on my 1900 Pro V, and in the end, I cheaped out and went 24V. I will ALWAYS regret it, but it's simply too much money at this point to go back and fix the mistake, so I'm forced to live with it.
If your boat is 19' or bigger, 36V is the only way to go. You'll never regret the extra money spent when you need that power and battery life, which is way more often than a guy thinks. It's very rare where I fish for the wind to cooperate, so in turn, it's pretty rare to be running a trolling motor at 30-40%, it's usually more like 60-70% to overcome wind and current, and that's when having the 36V system makes all the difference.
IMHO, it's a no brainer, go with the 36V system.
Waxy
T Mac
12-02-2009, 11:24 AM
Hey guys...when it gets that windy or that much current...you could easily learn to enjoy the niceties of boat control via a kicker motor.
T Mac makes a good point. If I didn't have a kicker I might feel differently about my 80lb Terrova being everything I need. When the wind kicks up, so does my kicker if I'm not going with the wind. Using a kicker to do most of the pushing along with the Terrova's autopilot to do the steering works really well by the way.
Hey guys...when it gets that windy or that much current...you could easily learn to enjoy the niceties of boat control via a kicker motor.
Easier said than done IMHO, even with a sweet kicker like the Pro Kicker. (Which I also have on my Pro V by the way.)
Straight trolling sure, but controlled drifting, hovering, or trying to fish tight contours can be pretty hard with a kicker alone, even when equipped with a Trollmaster. You just don't have the precise control you do when using an electric. You can use both the kicker and electric, and it is pretty effective, but it's a pain in the butt IMHO, especially when it wouldn't be necessary with a more powerful/longer lasting electric. I'm not a huge kicker fan to start with, it's a last resort for me, or for dedicated cranking situations, other than that, I MUCH prefer to go electric as much and for as long as possible. Just my personal bias...
I still stand by the fact that you will never regret going with the 36V system.
Waxy
manitou8500
12-03-2009, 06:49 AM
I agree with Waxy 100%. I'm upgrading from a 74 to 101 this year. I've ended several great fishing experiences prematurely when fishing in the wind. I need the extra power and battery stamina. In the end the extra money is well worth it.
beeman
12-03-2009, 08:02 AM
When one starts to drop down i install the other. 55 pound thrust moves 17ft alum just fine.:driver:
Pezman38
12-03-2009, 08:27 AM
I agree with Waxy and TMac on this one.
I use my kicker all the time when the wind picks up. I can troll into the wind, with the wind, backtroll and just anchor the boat in one spot very easy. I don't even put the trolling motor in the water because the kicker works so well.
Bass fishing I could see having the 36v so that I can move faster all day. So far I have never had an issue with my 80# 24volt. I charge batteries immediately after I fish and can go all day.
I still wish I had 36volt system, why.... because they make one. Same reason I have a gun that shoots 3.5 inch shells, because they don't make a 4 inch shell yet.