Burning up trolling motors

[Goldpig]

I have burnt up three trolling motors this year, and for the life of me can't figure out how to address the problem. It is obviously something in the boat wiring, but anyone have any idea how to isolate the problem without having to re-wire? It is a 24 volt system w/ in-line fuses in the wiring. Last time the trolling motor quit working, I immediately checked the fuses and noticed that they were extremely hot to the touch, but not burnt out. Thanks in advance.

[Jigging 5]

Goldpig,
What gage wiring do you have and how far to batteries? You may have to small a wire which causes resistance in return causes heat also try circuit breakers they are better than fuses. 40 amp for 24 volt system. I had a problem with melting wires went to 10 gage wire cured problem. Good luck.

[rickn]

nothing burns up electric motors faster than low voltage. The other post is correct, check your wiring gauge, and if you can, check to see what your voltage is at the motor.

[REW]

If you have burned up three trolling motors; I would rip out all of your trolling motor wiring and rewire - from the batteries all the way to the trolling motors. This includes all connectors, circuit breakers, and trolling motor plugs and connectors.

Wire as follows:
1. Install the two trolling motor batteries.
2. Install a jumper wire - at least 6 gauge from the - terminal of battery 1 to the + terminal of battery 2.
3. Bolt a brass "link" to the + terminal of battery 1.
4. Bolt a 50 amp circuit breaker to the other end of the brass link,
that is bolted to the + terminal of battery 1.
5. Pull a pair of 4 or 6 gauge wires from the trolling motor battery location to the trolling motor location.
6. Crimp on a good pair of connectors on the trolling motor battery end.
7. Install a new trolling motor socket at the trolling motor location.
8. Crimp the 4 or 6 gauge wires - to the trolling motor socket pigtails.
9. Install a new matching trolling motor plug onto the end of the new trolling motor.
10. Bolt on the new crimped connectors to the trolling motor batteries and enjoy.

I am guessing that you have been getting very low voltage at your trolling motor - causing severe over heating and eventual failure.

Take care
REW

[Goldpig]

Thanks for the replies. I went out and bought new breakers and wiring and hope to get it taken care of before this weekend. One more question though, why would low voltage cause a burn-out? It would seem to me that everyone has a battery go bad or connections that corrode every now and again. I would think that the manufacturers could figure out something that would prevent a burn-out in these scenarios. Oh, and by the way, I did find a fuse that wasn't making a good connection just some of the time, and that's probably my problem if low voltage is so bad for trolling motors.

[Dave in Mpls]

DO NOT interpret Jigging 5's reply to mean you should use 10 gauge wire between your batteries and trolling motor(s). This should be 6 gauge minimum, although many boat manufacturers use 8 gauge to save costs.

Regards

[JJW]

REW I have a question reguarding wiring,my boat has 24v bow mt it has
8ga wire 2+ and 2- the plug makes it 24v if I change it to true 24v can I just put the red & orange together and the two blacks together and put in jumper in is that 0k.Also change the plug or should I just go to 6ga and be done? Thanks JIM

[Jigging 5]

Goldpig,
I told you the wrong wire size. Don't know what I was thinking.I found left over wire it was 6 gauge I used. The boat had 10 gauge. Better make sure before I make comments.Hope I caused no problem for you. Sorry

[REW]

The reason that low voltage burns up trolling motors, is that the current is increased through the motor - trying to turn the same load.

This is often the case in houses as well, when you try to run a skill saw at the end of a long extension cord. You might only have 80 volts at the end of a 100 foot extension cord, when trying to run the saw. Since the saw is still trying to do the same work -- similar to what your trolling motor is doing -- it trys to draw more current - and overheat and burn out the motor windings in either the skill saw - or the trolling motor.

Take care
REW

[REW]

Yes, that would work just fine.
Total wire size is all that is required. You can get it with one large wire, or two smaller wires that are shorted together.

Sure, go ahead and crimp both black wires together at the battery.
Crimp the red and orange wire together at the battery.
Do the same at the trolling motor end.

Then use the equivalent of a larger size wire - to jumper the two batteries together (- of battery 1, to the + of battery 2).
Then bolt the batteries to a circuit breaker protected 24 volt battery, and crimp the paralled wires to the trolling motor socket, and you will be good to go.

Take care
REW