Trolling Motor Wiring Problems

[KVH]

Guys, I need a little trolling motor wiring help.
I have four cables running from the bow plug, two red, two black. My new
trolling motor has no switch for 12/24 volts. Rather, it's a straight 24 volt Minn
Kota trolling motor.

I've been told by "some" folks to connect my two batteries in sequence--meaning, of course,
that I connect the two batteries with a jump from the negative to positive
between the two batteries, and two of the four cables (leading from the bow)
connected with Red to positive on one battery, and Black to the negative on
the other battery. The two extra cables (one red, one black) I just tape up and don’t use.

OKAY, I've done that. But, to me, the trolling motor just seems too weak.
Here are my questions:

a) How do I know which Black and which Red from the
four cables from the front bow plug are the ones to connect in sequence?
b) I'm also wondering how many different
connections I'd need to try to be sure the plug is getting 24 volts from the
correct two cables. I tried removing the front electrical bow plate, but
that was a potential mess and I stopped and gave up.

I have no idea which pins of the bow plug I'd test, but maybe one of you has an easy answer to
all this. Maybe the answer is that it makes no difference, and that if I'm
getting power it "must be" 24 volts.
c) Also, why do I have four cables anyway? If I
wire in sequence and get 24 volts, then only two cables from the bow plug
were needed. Well, I suppose the answer is that the other two cables were
for 12 volts when a trolling motor has a switch for two choices, which is
now irrelevant, but if that's the answer it raises once more my question as
to whether I'm using the correct two cables back in the battery compartment.
Is it possible I'm wired incorrectly even though the motor runs and I've
connected the batteries properly in sequence?

d) Why can’t I use all four wires (cables) one set for each battery, like it all was when I bought my boat and when in had a 12/24 volt option switch (without wiring in sequence)?

Guys, I'm learning. Thanks for the patience and any advice you can give.

 

[Silvertip]

The short answer is you only need two wires for your curret 24 volt motor. Which two you use is your choice (one red and one black). BUT, you need to identify which red and which black you use at both the connector end, and at the battery end. Unless you want to change the wiring on the trolling motor plug, you should make sure the two terminals in the female trolling motor connector match those on the trolling motor plug. You were then given correct info on the SERIES connection (it is not called sequence). Connect the BLACK wire to the NEG terminal on one battery. Connect a jumper between the POS terminal on that same battery to the NEG terminal on the second battery. The remaining RED wire connects to the POS terminal of the second battery. You will not have 24 volts at the trolling motor connector termines you previously identified. Go fishing.