Wiring: Again, sorry Silvertip . . .

[KVH]

I thought I'd post this separately, though there is so much info here, I realize if I'd done a better search I may have found the answer. But here's my question:

I'm having the same problem another Motor Guide 12/24 user posted.

How do I arrange the wires at the battery on a four wire 12/24 dual battery set up? Stratos 201, FS. I can keep the 24 Volt switch on all the time, but I'm not sure I've got the four wires set up correctly.

Should I check anything at the plug?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wiring: Again, sorry Silvertip . . .

If you have four wires going up front there must also be a switch panel of some sort at the front of the boat. This is were I've seen most of the wiring issues and because there are so many different variations I will not even try to explain it unless you take a very clear picture of the front and back sides of it. The four wires are simply two reds and two blacks, or one red-black pair and one orange-black pair. Connecting them to the batteries is as simple as connecting each pair to each battery. There is normally a charge/run switch on the panel as well. In the charge position, both batteries can be charged through the troller plug using a 12 volt charger. If you want to run strictly 24 volts as I suggest everyone with these nonsense systems pursue, then the diagram below is what you can do. You only need one red wire, one black wire, and a short jumper between the two batteries. The red-black goes up front where you disconnect them from the switch panel and connect directly to two terminals with the red and black wires on the receptacle. these will match with the red-black wires on the troller and you will have 24 volts ONLY. You will need to charge each battery individually using a 12 volt charger, or you can install a two bank charger.

 

[KVH]

Re: Wiring: Again, sorry Silvertip . . .

I just checked everything with a MulitTester.

I think it's all connected correctly. One of my red wires to the batteries has continuity with a black wire to the other battery, so that seems to accomplish the 24 Volt connection, and I'll leave the switch on 24 volts.

But: I noticed only 10.3 Volts on Battery No. 2. In addition, using a specific gravity tester, one cell appears to be totally dead.

I don't want to celebrate too early.

Is that enough to cause my trolling motor to be a real dog under thrust, or would that only be a slight issue? My whole reason for checking this out is that for six months my trolling motor has seemed very weak even though my batteries were new six months ago.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wiring: Again, sorry Silvertip . . .

One dead cell means you have a junk battery and yes, it is the reason the motor loses it's git-up&go after just a short while. It needs to be replaced but if it was only six months old it should be covered under warranty. New batteries can and do go bad quickly just like anything electrical. Not frequently, but it does happen. It is called in the electronics world -- "infant mortality".