whats better 12v or 24v?

Russ201 · 04-26-06, 02:48 PM

What are the pros and cons of 12 volts and 24 volt systems.
I have a 20' bass boat and am planning on buying a new trolling motor. I currently have an older OMC trolling motor and its set up on a 24v system. I am told it is a 43# motor, not sure if thats right or not.

SMB Hunter · 04-26-06, 04:13 PM

I would buy as big a thrust trolling motor as you can afford. If you fish water with 3 to 4 footers you will need the extra power to move the 20 foot boat. 24 volt is better, 36 volt best, because of amps, to be able to stay on the water longer. I have been in tournaments with the wind so strong that my 36 volt 101thrust had a hard time moving my 20 footer. If you are only fishing fun a 24 volt would probally be fine. I would not use a 12volt on your size of boat.

Bender · 04-26-06, 05:21 PM

Theoretically a 24V system will take half the amps of a 12V system for the same power of motor. This should last nearly twice as long, of course there are a lot of other factors, but that is the idea.

bass kicker · 04-26-06, 06:28 PM

i would say the 24 volt motor would be best for your boat

Rebbasser · 04-26-06, 11:03 PM

Welcome to the forum!

A 24 volt will will not have to work as hard as a 12 to move your boat. I had a 12 volt 43 lb thrust Motorguide that just didn't have the power to control the boat when I first bought it, and it's a 17-6 Nitro. I upgraded to a 24 volt 71 lb thrust Motorguide and have been VERY happy with the performance. It will not only not have to work as hard controlling the boat your batteries will ast a lot longer, too. I can fish an electrics only lake all day using only the TM and still have about 50% of the battery charge when I get off the water. With the 12 volt I used a lot more juice doing the same thing.

1FASTLASER · 04-27-06, 06:51 AM

With todays advancements in electronics the 12volt motors are much more effecient but even with that in mind you have to realize you are trying to control a 20ft boat in conditions that sometimes are not all that great. With that in mind a 24 volt system will do the 95% of the time but you know there are days that you can never have enough troller power. If you can afford it I personally recommend a 36 volt system. Not only will you have enough power even in the worst conditions you will have a system that will last longer. The 24 and 36 volt systems last longer due to the fact that they dont have to work as hard to get the job done. Wiring in a 36 volt troller is simple and you can do it with three batteries using the main engine battery as the third, therefore savig weight and room. You wont always have to use 36volts to get the job done but it will be there if needed.

bass kicker · 04-27-06, 07:27 PM

we use a 12 volt but we link our 2 batteries together so they last longer and we dont have to swith them around on the water

04-26-06, 02:48 PM	#1
Russ201 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1	whats better 12v or 24v? What are the pros and cons of 12 volts and 24 volt systems. I have a 20' bass boat and am planning on buying a new trolling motor. I currently have an older OMC trolling motor and its set up on a 24v system. I am told it is a 43# motor, not sure if thats right or not.

04-26-06, 06:28 PM	#4
bass kicker BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beamsville,ONTARIO,CANADA Posts: 2,023	i would say the 24 volt motor would be best for your boat __________________ Rob Downs St. Catharines BASSMASTERS

04-26-06, 11:03 PM	#5
Rebbasser BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 10,141	Welcome to the forum! A 24 volt will will not have to work as hard as a 12 to move your boat. I had a 12 volt 43 lb thrust Motorguide that just didn't have the power to control the boat when I first bought it, and it's a 17-6 Nitro. I upgraded to a 24 volt 71 lb thrust Motorguide and have been VERY happy with the performance. It will not only not have to work as hard controlling the boat your batteries will ast a lot longer, too. I can fish an electrics only lake all day using only the TM and still have about 50% of the battery charge when I get off the water. With the 12 volt I used a lot more juice doing the same thing. __________________ It's happened to the best of them: John 21:3

04-27-06, 06:51 AM	#6
1FASTLASER BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: crossett,arkansas Posts: 2,777	With todays advancements in electronics the 12volt motors are much more effecient but even with that in mind you have to realize you are trying to control a 20ft boat in conditions that sometimes are not all that great. With that in mind a 24 volt system will do the 95% of the time but you know there are days that you can never have enough troller power. If you can afford it I personally recommend a 36 volt system. Not only will you have enough power even in the worst conditions you will have a system that will last longer. The 24 and 36 volt systems last longer due to the fact that they dont have to work as hard to get the job done. Wiring in a 36 volt troller is simple and you can do it with three batteries using the main engine battery as the third, therefore savig weight and room. You wont always have to use 36volts to get the job done but it will be there if needed. __________________ Laser's rule with Merc's doing the pushing..........KEEP THE WETSIDE DOWN AND THE DRY SIDE UP!!!!!!

04-27-06, 07:27 PM	#7
bass kicker BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beamsville,ONTARIO,CANADA Posts: 2,023	we use a 12 volt but we link our 2 batteries together so they last longer and we dont have to swith them around on the water __________________ Rob Downs St. Catharines BASSMASTERS

04-26-06, 04:13 PM	#2
SMB Hunter BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ionia, Michigan Posts: 5	I would buy as big a thrust trolling motor as you can afford. If you fish water with 3 to 4 footers you will need the extra power to move the 20 foot boat. 24 volt is better, 36 volt best, because of amps, to be able to stay on the water longer. I have been in tournaments with the wind so strong that my 36 volt 101thrust had a hard time moving my 20 footer. If you are only fishing fun a 24 volt would probally be fine. I would not use a 12volt on your size of boat.

04-26-06, 05:21 PM	#3
Bender BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Brighton, MI Posts: 2,414	Theoretically a 24V system will take half the amps of a 12V system for the same power of motor. This should last nearly twice as long, of course there are a lot of other factors, but that is the idea.

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