Peck Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 I have an old Johnson trolling motor that I believe is 12/24 volt. There is nothing on the trolling motor that says so buy the plug on the front of the boat has 4 leads, 2 red & 2 black, hooked to it. All 4 leads run all the way to the back of the boat. I currently only have one set of leads hooked to one battery with the other set tapped up. My question is how do I know for sure that the trolling motor is 24 volt capable? If it is do I need to hook my second battery up to the other set of leads or is there some other way I should wire it? I've seen diagrams showing how to run 2 batteries, but all only have one set of leads running to the trolling motor. I'd rather get the advise of some of you seasoned fishermen before I risk burning up the TM. If I burn it up it would give me an excuse to buy a new one so I wouldn't be crushed or try to point the finger at anyone for telling me wrong. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95Nitro Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Sounds like the boat is equipped for a 24v system.... In my opinion... Unless you know for CERTAIN the trolling motor is a 24v I would not risk running it on a 24v system. I would think that some where on the motor there would be something to verify it 12/24 capable. You can check the wiring and plug w/ a multi-meter and verify you have 12 and 24volt when you hook up the extra battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95Nitro Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 And as far as how to wire up and set up the batteries.... I'm no help. I have one set of cables going to the trolling motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peck Posted June 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 The plug from the trolling motor plugs into the socket where all four wires go. I'm thinking it is the factory TM that came with the boat but not 100% on that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountainman Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Not 100% sure, but if its a factory 12/24 set up, there should be a switch either on the boats front control panel or the foot control that lets you switch it from 12 to 24. Its not like the new ones that use a constant 24 or 36 volts......its a 12 OR 24. Theyll be hooked in series and have a switch somewhere. Otherwise, I wouldnt risk burning it up unless I knew for sure it was 12/24. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 The name plate is on the foot pedal. They made 12V, 12/24V (ttoggle switch on the side of the foot pedal), and a straight variable speed 24V (rarest of the three, the speed wheel doesn't "click"). The voltage will be stated on the nameplate. Allot of boats were wired for the 12/24V in the 80's-90's like yours is, but the upgrade to a 12/24V trolling motor was not selected when the option package was selected. So you can't go by your boats wiring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
softbaitmaker Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 I have several buddies that are still running the OMC TM's and the ones that are 12/24 do have a switch on the foot control so you can select which you want. If you don't have that switch I would almost guess you have a 12 volt unit. I will call a few buddies today and ask them about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peck Posted June 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Oh thanks. I will look for the switch this afternoon. The other part of my question is the wiring at the battery compartment. If I do have the 12/24 TM, do I just hook the second set of leads up to the second battery? All the diagrams I see use a jumper from one battery to the second, none show two complete separate sets of leads. Thanks for the help so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountainman Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 first things first.....lets make sure which unit youve got. then we can address the wiring according to what you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind hawg Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 If I remember right it should say 12 volt or 12/24 on the lower unit . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peck Posted June 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 (edited) Found the name plate on the foot petal, 12VDC....so I guess the 2 batteries is out of the question. My battery life is horrible. If I run on high for a constant minute or two it practically pulls all the juice. Are these old units normally this bad on batteries or do I need to replace the battery? It's only 2 years old and I always keep it on a battery maintainer when not on the water. Edited June 20, 2013 by Peck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95Nitro Posted June 21, 2013 Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 Battery is trashed..... if it is 2y/o its more than likey done! Battery maintainers can and do shorten the life of batteries after a whe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peck Posted June 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 Would I be better off with an onboard charger? Or is 2 years about what I should expect with a cheaper battery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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