12v trolling motor running at 16v?

[junkyardwarrior]

My 40lb Motorguide works great, but occasionally if the wind is blowing just right and I'm "stuck" on a stump, I'd like a little extra. Would love a 24v setup-but just not in the budget.

Question is...I have an extra 16v battery for my race car. I am wondering if anyone has ever contemplated or tried running the trolling motor at 16v and if it actually worked without cooking the circuitry?

Everything in the race cars is originally designed for 12v (including the datalogger/O2 wideband) and it all works great on 16v. Even the interior fan works a WHOLE lot better.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 12v trolling motor running at 16v?

The electronics in trolling motors are designed to run on the specified voltage. Overvoltage would likely toast it. The motor itself would probably tolerate the extra voltage.

 

[Tim Wagner]

Re: 12v trolling motor running at 16v?

I agree with silvertip on the designed voltage.
However, Ive seen the charge from my force run up to 16 volts running flat out.
I like to watch this voltage since everything in that boat ran from one battery.
I had it set on my lowrance. When it got to 12.3, id fire up the big motor for an hour to put charge back in the battery.
I dont know why it went so high but nothing ever roasted from it.
Then again, it didnt stay that way all the time. Just running flat out.

 

[wifisher]

Re: 12v trolling motor running at 16v?

How old is the motor? The current trolling motors are electronically controlled, but not too many years ago they were just a dc motor and a few resistors to change speeds. If it is the resistor style, with no other electronics, I would think it would be fine. Although I wouldn't run it on high speed for an extended period of time without checking the heat of the motor. (I know, hard to do on a troller) If it has electronic control, it all depends on the way it is constructed. 25% overvoltage is what you are proposing, and while that is significant, most electronic systems are designed to handle some extra voltage. The amps is the killer not the volts generally. It may work, may toast the motor.

If it were mine, I would risk it with no electronic control, but if it is an electronic unit, I would stick to 12V.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 12v trolling motor running at 16v?

Amperage is NOT the killer of electronics. That is why most electronics these days are over-VOLTAGE protected. Over-CURRENT protection is provided by a fuse or breaker. And that fuse or breaker protects the wire -- not the device. If the device is drawing more than its maximum rated current it is already toast.