Deciding on a new Trolling motor 12v or 24v

[jjconnaire]

I am looking to replace my 1998 12V minn Kota 38lb trolling on my '98 Alumacraft Lunker Ltd Mag V16.  It is mechanically fine and moves my boat along well unless it's windy.  Pretty solid for a 19yr old motor!

I am looking at the NEW 12V 55lb terrova with I-Pilot.  I am thinking 55lb will be more than enough, however I am wondering how long it will last with just 1 battery.  

Would 24v 80lb last longer and would it be overkill? 

I keep my boat moored all summer and take out my battery after I'm done, to charge it. Having a 24v would double my battery weight and also make me charge 2 battery's rather than 1.  Is 24v worth that hassle?

Also, has anyone successfully installed an external transducer on a terrova?  If I opt for the 54" 55lb, I have the option to have the US2 transducer, which is $320 more than the 54" without the us2. Plus us2 only utalizes 2d sonar.

whats everyone's opinion.

 

[A-Jay]

Though I'm not familiar with your particular craft or it's configuration, if it's at all possible, I would definitely upgrade to 24v and the beefiest TM your can fit / afford.

Have you ever heard, or read where a bass fisherman was unhappy because they had too much trolling motor trust or too much battery life ? ?

Me either.

A-Jay

 

[RoLo]

One 12v battery 'should' be adequate.

On 2 separate occasions on Lake Kissimmee, I had to come in on my 12v electric motor.

In both cases it pushed the Triton 175 for several miles.

Now then, if your bucking a stiff wind, I wouldn't guarantee that a 12 or 24 will get you home.

 

PS

I stand corrected, my battery switch is set to draw from both the auxiliary battery & cranking battery.

 

Roger

 

[jjconnaire]

I do have an outboard motor too FYI. 

[Ohio Archer]

It's nice to have the extra power when you need it. Yes, the 24v system requires two batteries but the extra weight isn't that noticeable. Lugging two batteries out of the boat could be a pain but im

sure the increased performance will offset the inconvenience. Use a small cart to move them if needed. 

 

Not sure of your setup. Do you have room for an additional battery?  How old is the first one and what size is it?  Both batteries for a 24v system should be the same size and close to the same age. 

 

Yes, you can install a transducer on a Terrova. I have my Humminbird transducer mounted on mine. Couple ways to do it. One is to run the cable up the groove in the shaft thru he transmission and up to the head (silicone it inplace). That way the cable turns with the motor. But it could void your warranty since you have to do a partial removal of the head. 

 

A second way is to wrap the cable around the shaft near the lower unit, route it up to the chassis and use an attachment (spring, retracting cord, dipsy snubber) to keep tension on the cable but allow it to coil/uncoil as the motor turns. The *** forum has a ton of threads and pics on the subject. 

[Angry John]

I like 24v because it runs forever and normally has a lot higher rating.  You could go 12v and upgraDE to a larger deep cycle like a 31 group trojan.  This should give you enough for a tm and sonar.

[iabass8]

24

[jjconnaire]

When u say the 24v has a higher rating so u mean thrust or legit better ratings?

[Further North]

7 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Though I'm not familiar with your particular craft or it's configuration, if it's at all possible, I would definitely upgrade to 24v and the beefiest TM your can fit / afford.

Have you ever heard, or read where a bass fisherman was unhappy because they had too much trolling motor trust or too much battery life ? ?

Me either.

A-Jay

 

I'd type a bunch of stuff...but there's no need.  A-Jay nailed it.

 

I put a 36 volt Terrova on a Crestliner 1750.  No such thing as too much oomph on your trolling motor.

7 hours ago, jjconnaire said:

I keep my boat moored all summer and take out my battery after I'm done, to charge it. Having a 24v would double my battery weight and also make me charge 2 battery's rather than 1.  Is 24v worth that hassle?

Put in an on board charger.

 

For a 24 volt, go three bank.

 

7 hours ago, jjconnaire said:

Also, has anyone successfully installed an external transducer on a terrova?  If I opt for the 54" 55lb, I have the option to have the US2 transducer, which is $320 more than the 54" without the us2. Plus us2 only utalizes 2d sonar.

Yep.  Had an SI transducer on my Terrova for years.  Overrated, IMO.  Did not install an SI on my Ulterra when I put it on last spring.

 

That said, I have Humminbird 360°...which kinda makes an SI transducer on the trolling motor superfluous.

 

YMMV

[Angry John]

23 hours ago, jjconnaire said:

When u say the 24v has a higher rating so u mean thrust or legit better ratings?

higher the voltage the more efficient the motor.  Less amperage is required to get the same work and less heat is generated and energy wasted.

[BassnChris]

My last boat was 12v and I upgraded to 24v.

my current boat was 24v and I upgraded to 36v.

no regrets.

[WTnPuddleJumper]

I have a motorguide 54# thrust 12V trolling motor on the front of my 16 48 Puddle boat and I have fished tournaments all day without losing trolling power.  Of course the 24V system is a better choice but it is also more money and more upkeep.  and most likely you will need a total of 3 batteries with the 24 volt.  1 for the cranking, pumps, electronics and 2 for the trolling motor.  With a 12 Volt system you can run everything off of one battery in most scenarios.  As far as the built in sonar transducer I have heard they are useless for Down Imaging,  If that is accurate you can strap a normal transducer with one of them transducer guards and go fish

[Wayne P.]

3 minutes ago, WTnPuddleJumper said:

I have a motorguide 54# thrust 12V trolling motor on the front of my 16 48 Puddle boat and I have fished tournaments all day without losing trolling power.  Of course the 24V system is a better choice but it is also more money and more upkeep.  and most likely you will need a total of 3 batteries with the 24 volt.  1 for the cranking, pumps, electronics and 2 for the trolling motor.  With a 12 Volt system you can run everything off of one battery in most scenarios.  As far as the built in sonar transducer I have heard they are useless for Down Imaging,  If that is accurate you can strap a normal transducer with one of them transducer guards and go fish

 

 

 

Not only useless for DI, but impossible. Trolling motors with a built-in transducer are for traditional 2D sonar ONLY. None do any type of imaging.