Tracker Pro 190 trolling motor wiring

[geezer1]

I've noticed that a lot of owners of this boat replace the 12V t/motor with a 24V t/motor. The boat comes from the factory with 8 gauge wiring which, according to many sources, should be 6 gauge for a 24V system. As an example, the MinnKota 24V Fortrex has a max amp draw of 56 which requires 6 gauge wiring with a 60 amp fuse, minimum. I'm sure there are plenty out there who are using the factory 8 gauge wiring for the 24V application. I want to know if anyone has opted to go to 6 gauge or heavier wiring & if so, how did you route it? It seems that rewiring would be a real pain in the a**. Geezer1.

[Creel Limit Zero]

How many feet of wire do you think is on the Tracker 190?  The distance from the battery to the motor is key in the calculation on how much wire is required...

@ Max Draw of 56 Amps the Voltage loss per foot of wire is .03584V for an 8 guage wire.

So if the wires are 13 feet, times 2 for two sets of wire, that's 26 feet. 

26 X .03584V = 0.93184, which is below the 1 voltage loss they say you should stay below. 

If the wires are 18 feet, that's 36 X .03584V = 1.29024, definitely way over the 1 voltage loss.  I would upgrade to 6 guage.

Anyway, I have no idea where the battery's or the length of wire required.  But I would suspect the 8 Guage might be a little too small for the Fortrex. 

[geezer1]

Yeah, I should have mentioned the distance; certainly a big player. From batteries to t/motor plug is probably 19'. Then there's another 3' to 4' of wire from plug to motor. So... 23 X 2 = 46. I wonder if 6 gauge is adequate regarding voltage drop?

[Creel Limit Zero]

6 Guage Wire at 56 Amps is a voltage loss of .0224V.

46 X .0224V = 1.0304, so it is just slightly over the 1. 

I'm not sure the size wires or the Voltage loss on the actual Plug to the Motor, or when Minnkota says the Voltage Loss should be less than 1, if that just needs to have the Loss up to the Plug. 

Without the extra 3-4 feet of wire on the actual Trolling Motor, it is actually 38 X .0224V = 0.8512V, so you are good then...

[Reb2973]

I went to 6 gauge. Went under front deck come out / drilled a hole from right rod box through console, went through side where side throttle and steering cables go. Made it to under drivers seat and ran out of options. Drilled hole under drivers seat that got me into wide open hull space back to batteries. Sounds like a mess but can't see first wire. 3 batteries fit fine. 24v in a bass tracker that's nose high for wind to catch is priceless.