24 V TM to 36 V TM?

[Hot Rod]

Anyone ever upgrade a 24V system to a 36V system for the trolling motor?

I'm in the market for a new TM and I'm thinking of steping up to a 36V on my 18' glass boat cause I fish long days often in high winds and find that my current 24V system can't fish as long as I can  

Just wondering what I'll have to do besides mounting and wiring another battery and a charger with an extra bank.

Will I have to install larger gauge wire and/or fuse or will whats in place for the stock 24V be sufficient?

Alternatively, I could go with the 24V 80# TM.  My old TM is one of the 5 speeds with a "maximizer" but not digital.  Will the newer digital TM with the variable speeds provide appreciable longer run times that the older anolog TM of the same size per charge?

Thanks!

[Jig Man]

I run a MG TE 82 and have for 7 years.  It will pull against water coming over the bow.  I can fish all day long with a couple of 182 reserve amp batteries.  I opted for this because I have an optimax and was told I needed extra cranking amps for the engine in cold weather.

[K_Mac]

I have an 18' aluminum boat with an 80lb MK Fortrex. Two weeks ago I camped and fished 2 1/2 days without charging my batteries. It was very windy and I stubbornly fished windy spots most of the weekend. I still had plenty of battery left when done. The digital units use far less power than the multi speed units.

I have not had any experience with 36v systems. Good luck.

[Hot Rod]

Thanks!!

I'm leaning to going with the 24V 80# Fortrex.  

From what I was able to decipher on MK site it seems the older "speed control" models (such as I have even though I purchased new in 04) though promoted as "extended run time" can't compare to the newer digitals for efficency.

Staying with the 24v I can save the weight/$ of adding another battery/charger and probably still have enough juice at the end of the day.

Even when my batteries are brand new (there also big 29 series batteries) I don think I could fish for 2.5 days with my current TM.  Maybe 1.5 at best.  A freind of mine with a similar size rig as mine says he can fish all weekend w/o recharging, even on big water in the wind with his newer TM.

[HPBB]

I have a 17'6 sea nymph GLS and run a 109# 36volt MG tour digital and love it. can run in any wind,current, or weeds with out any problem. have had mine sine 2005 and have had no problems