1994 Javelin possible re-wire

Javelin JD

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 4, 2013
Messages
85
Hello everyone, you are all great and knowledgeable people (sugar coating)

Here's my problem, maybe. I just recently purchased a 1994 Javelin fish and ski, It has a 45lb thrust original trolling motor (which works) but not as well as I'd like, squeeks, looks old, etc. this trolling motor is the only thing on the boat that makes the boat look it's age, the motor, hull (very little oxydation) look great, the gentleman I bought it from had it garage kept. Anyway, it has a 12/24 volt charger, 3 batteries (2 for trolling, bilge, etc, 1 for starting). My question is, if I change to a 70 lb thrust 24 volt trolling motor, will I have to change the wiring to the batteries. What might I get myself into that I don't want to get into. Also any recommendations would be great as to 1) should I go to a 70hp trolling motor or stick with something smaller, if so what would work best. It's an 18' fish and ski, with a 115 Evinrude. This is my 2nd boat ever, I didn't have my first one long enough to have any issues, pending divorce took care of that, no frets we took care of that and are in a good place now (hence the fish and ski and 5 years later). Gents I'm a handy guy with plenty of common sense and like to read up on everything before I jump into in (look before I leap). Please feel free to break things down Barney style (Barney-Big purple, talks to kids dinosour). Thanks so much for your advice. JD
 

Javelin JD

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 4, 2013
Messages
85
Re: 1994 Javelin possible re-wire

Hello everyone, you are all great and knowledgeable people (sugar coating)

Here's my problem, maybe. I just recently purchased a 1994 Javelin fish and ski, It has a 45lb thrust original trolling motor (which works) but not as well as I'd like, squeeks, looks old, etc. this trolling motor is the only thing on the boat that makes the boat look it's age, the motor, hull (very little oxydation) look great, the gentleman I bought it from had it garage kept. Anyway, it has a 12/24 volt charger, 3 batteries (2 for trolling, bilge, etc, 1 for starting). My question is, if I change to a 70 lb thrust 24 volt trolling motor, will I have to change the wiring to the batteries. What might I get myself into that I don't want to get into. Also any recommendations would be great as to 1) should I go to a 70hp trolling motor or stick with something smaller, if so what would work best. It's an 18' fish and ski, with a 115 Evinrude. This is my 2nd boat ever, I didn't have my first one long enough to have any issues, pending divorce took care of that, no frets we took care of that and are in a good place now (hence the fish and ski and 5 years later). Gents I'm a handy guy with plenty of common sense and like to read up on everything before I jump into in (look before I leap). Please feel free to break things down Barney style (Barney-Big purple, talks to kids dinosour). Thanks so much for your advice. JD

I forgot to add that my rpm gauge doesn't work either, the gentleman with whom I bought the boat from, said sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. Not a big thing, but eventually I'd like to get it and everything else it came new with working. I haven't even had time to put in on the water yet, was wanting to get the new trolling motor installed first. Thanks for reviewing and any tips anyone can offer would be appreciated. Thanks
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: 1994 Javelin possible re-wire

Tachometers require +12 volts when the key is in the RUN position. It also requires a ground connection. The "S" terminal on the gauge is the signal from the engine charging system. It is a series of pulses (6 per engine revolution) from the 12 pole alternator. Since it works sometimes and sometimes not, the first check is always to check and clean the connections and then make sure they are tight.

Your boat is wired for 12 OR 24 volts so you have to change nothing. Most modern motors have two wires from the motor whether it is 12 volt or 24 volts. So all you need to do is determine which of the two terminals on the receptacle have 24 volts. Wire the trolling motor plug so they match up and go fishing.
 

NYBo

Admiral
Joined
Oct 23, 2008
Messages
7,107
Re: 1994 Javelin possible re-wire

Welcome to iboats!:welcome:

I take it the old trolling motor is 12 volt. If so, the wiring can be used for your 70#, 24 volt motor (it should draw fewer amps than the old one); all you'll need is the jumper between the two trolling motor batteries to put them in series for the required 24 volts.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: 1994 Javelin possible re-wire

If this boat has three or four wires running up front, it is wired for both 12 and 24 volts. So which is it. If there are only two wires running from the batteries up front, then we need to know how they are wired at the batteries. Two wire systems can be 12, 24, 36 or 48 volts in a series configuration. Details, details, details.
 

Javelin JD

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 4, 2013
Messages
85
Re: 1994 Javelin possible re-wire

Gents thanks for the reply, if it stops raining long enough I'll take the cover off and check it out, possibly even put up some pictures as well. It has the three batteries in the back, one to start the other two I don't remember them being connected with a jumper but also didn't know to look, so I'll check that out as far as the wires from up front, I'll investigate that as well. I'll get back in touch, I have a 12 hour shift today, but hopefully tomorrow barring no rain, I can add more details. Thanks again
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: 1994 Javelin possible re-wire

The reason we need to know what the wiring looks like "now" is because we don't know what the stock wiring was like, whether it has ever been changed and how it has been changed. There are many ways to do this so we can't tell you what you need to change until we know what the wiring is like. Here is a standard two-wire 24 volt wiring scheme. If you want to change your wiring to this scheme it is pretty simple to do. Just follow the diagram carefully. But depending on how your boat is currently wired, it may not be necessary to do anything other than some checking. If the two troller batteries are currently wired in parallel for the existing 12 volt motor then some changes are necessary.

 

Javelin JD

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 4, 2013
Messages
85
Re: 1994 Javelin possible re-wire

plug 2.jpgcharger.jpgstarting battery.jpgtrolling batteries.jpg
I've tried to attach some pictures, it doesn't look like they are going to load. The front plug has THREE wires (white, black, red), the starter battery has some other stuff hooked up on it, maybe depth finder, bilge etc, I didn't trace it, same for the other batteries as well, the foot pedal for the trolling motor has a 12/24 switch. I bought a battery cable to creater that jumper from one battery to the other, but haven't hooked it up yet. ok so going back and looking at the post, the pics are there. Here is what I have, I sincerely appreciate the feedback. thanks
 
Last edited:

Javelin JD

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 4, 2013
Messages
85
Re: 1994 Javelin possible re-wire

Re: 1994 Javelin possible re-wire




I've tried to attach some pictures, it doesn't look like they are going to load. The front plug has THREE wires (white, black, red), the starter battery has some other stuff hooked up on it, maybe depth finder, bilge etc, I didn't trace it, same for the other batteries as well, the foot pedal for the trolling motor has a 12/24 switch. I bought a battery cable to creater that jumper from one battery to the other, but haven't hooked it up yet. ok so going back and looking at the post, the pics are there. Here is what I have, I sincerely appreciate the feedback. thanks, I don't know if the pictures show up if I am copying the reply, but I added them to the original post, thanks for all your help. JD
 
Joined
Feb 17, 2012
Messages
2,906
Re: 1994 Javelin possible re-wire

you have 4 wires at the back on the trolling batteries and 3 wires at the front (if the plug is also a 3 terminal plug). somewhere the 4 turns into 3 which could be on the back of the trolling plug or at a switch. remove the screws for the front panel and pull it forwards so you can see whats attached to the back of the plug. If theres only 3 wires at the back of the plug then theres a switch somewhere close that should say something like 12 charge - 12v - 24v
 

Javelin JD

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 4, 2013
Messages
85
Re: 1994 Javelin possible re-wire

There is a 12/24 switch on the foot pedal of the old one. My intent is to go and get a new trolling motor this week, but my question is now because I'm gonna stick with a 12v motor, if I create that jumper from one battery to the other, would it still give me more power to run the 12v trolling motor? or will it damage any component of the trolling motor system, ie plug, wiring, etc.
 
Joined
Feb 17, 2012
Messages
2,906
Re: 1994 Javelin possible re-wire

you can not add a jumper until you find the other end of the 4 wires that leave the batteries. I know the foot peddal has a 12/24 switch but i was looking for another one near the trolling motor plug. remove the trolling motor plug and see if it has 3 or 4 terminals. If it has 3 we realy need to see the back of it to see where the 4th wire is connected. You may already have the 24v option wired at the plug or a switch to select it.
 

Javelin JD

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 4, 2013
Messages
85
Re: 1994 Javelin possible re-wire

ok, I'll conduct some research. Thanks for the help.
 
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