When I installed my new x3, I relocated my trolling motor batteries to the middle of the boat and used the Trac rigging kit from bps. This uses 8 guage wire with a 50 amp breaker. I'm having an issue with the breaker tripping when running the motor for extended periods of time on its highest setting.

The owners manual for the x3 calls for a 50 amp breaker and the wire is brand new and in perfect condition. Since my batteries are toward the front of the boat, the wire run is only 5 or 6 feet.

Any ideas why this might be happening?

Battery not fully charged.

Loose or poor connections.

 

The motor has the same watts no matter what the voltage is.

When the voltage drops, the amps increase..

 

When the breaker trips, quickly feel along the wiring path for HEAT. That is where the problem is.

Be careful looking for heat. If there is a bad connection, it could get VERY hot. A severe burn is a very real possibility especially if you go to tighten the wing nut on the battery post with your fingers. Use gloves!!!

Be careful looking for heat. If there is a bad connection, it could get VERY hot. A severe burn is a very real possibility especially if you go to tighten the wing nut on the battery post with your fingers. Use gloves!!!

Good point. It just won't take long to feel that heat, LOL

Just an update. I replaced the breaker and all is well. I had checked the wires when the old breaker was tripping and they weren't even warm anywhere in the circuit. Replaced the breaker that came in the Trac rigging kit with a 50 amp Bussman breaker and all is well.

The motor has the same watts no matter what the voltage is.

When the voltage drops, the amps increase..

 

Not sure if I Can agree with this.

 

I=E/R. I=Current, E=Voltage, R=Resistance. a .5 ohm load, say a motor, will draw 48 amps at 24 volt supply. That same .5 ohm load will draw 24 amps at 12 volts. So the lower the voltage the less current. This is how the 5 speed motors work they send different voltages to the motor to give you different speeds. The slower the speed the lower voltage to the motor and current.

 

Power, watts, is not constant. It is a result of P=E*I. so if voltage or current drops so does wattage.

 

Usually what burns out a motor is it over heats from turning too slow because the fan is turning too slow to cool it.

 

 

A faulty breaker will cause nusiance triping.

Not sure if I Can agree with this.

 

I=E/R. I=Current, E=Voltage, R=Resistance. a .5 ohm load, say a motor, will draw 48 amps at 24 volt supply. That same .5 ohm load will draw 24 amps at 12 volts. So the lower the voltage the less current. This is how the 5 speed motors work they send different voltages to the motor to give you different speeds. The slower the speed the lower voltage to the motor and current.

 

Power, watts, is not constant. It is a result of P=E*I. so if voltage or current drops so does wattage.

 

Usually what burns out a motor is it over heats from turning too slow because the fan is turning too slow to cool it.

 

 

A faulty breaker will cause nusiance triping.

 

  W

 VA

 

Volts times Amps equals Watts.

Watts divided by Amps equals Volts

Watts divided by Volts equals Amps.

  W

 VA

 

Volts times Amps equals Watts.

Watts divided by Amps equals Volts

Watts divided by Volts equals Amps.

Yes.  I said that here.

Power, watts, is not constant. It is a result of P=E*I. so if voltage or current drops so does wattage.