24 volt vs 12 volt Bow mount Trolling motor?

[spindog]

Need another Bow mount for my new boat, doesn't a 24 volt draw 1/2 the
current of a 12 volt of the same lb thrust.
Double the voltage and cut the amps in half?

What voltages and lb thrusts are you using for what sizes of boats?

[G-Man]

Need another Bow mount for my new boat, doesn't a 24 volt draw 1/2 the
current of a 12 volt of the same lb thrust.
Double the voltage and cut the amps in half?

What voltages and lb thrusts are you using for what sizes of boats?

I can help you with the electrical part of the question. Yes, Power(watts) is I(current) x E(voltage). There are other benefits of a 24V system like less power loss over the run of your wiring and your motor runs cooler. Electricity works much like water in pipes or fluid in a hydraulic system, voltage is like the pressure that pushes the fluid through the system. The higher the pressure, the more power one can generate through a smaller pipe/wire.

[Anglinarcher]

In summary, longer battery life with 24 Volt systems, more potential power, less power loss at normal power ranges, etc.

The down side is when you need to replace batteries, it is twice the hit.

[spindog]

Thanks for your input- Gman and Anglinarcher, big help!!

[hewesfisher]

We've had discussion on this in the past, check this thread for more info.

One word of caution, the current carrying capacity of your existing wiring is limited by the gauge of the wire and the length of the run, so it's not as simple as just doubling the voltage and halving the current. If you read the referenced thread, you'll see the 12v motors will draw between 1.1 - 1.2 amps vs .85 - .95 amps per pound of thrust for 24v so it's nowhere near half. To get close to half, you'd have to step up to 36v and those are spendy.

How big is your boat? That will help determine what thrust requirements you might have. FWIW, I have a 75# thrust bow mount on my 20' Hewescraft and it does a nice job.

[Logan80]

I went from a 12v 50# to a 24v 65# and couldn't be happier. My boat is a 16' Bayliner Trophy 1710 (Bass boat) and if you don't steady yourself speed 5 will knock you off your feet when you push the foot pedal.

Never had battery life issues, even after 8+ hours on the water.