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Do Trolling Motors degrade overtime

Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2017 9:07 am
by R. Duzac
I have an older Minnkota Maxxum 101 with very new batteries. Over time it seems like I'm just not getting the same pull from the motor as I once did.

Do they get old, or need parts replaced over time?

Thanks,
Rene

Re: Do Trolling Motors degrade overtime

Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2017 9:14 am
by R. Duzac
Sorry, I did find similar question on BBC with a few responses.
Sounds like I need to measure the amperage when motor is running on high.

Thanks,
Rene

Re: Do Trolling Motors degrade overtime

Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2017 9:17 am
by Rich hamilton
Great question! I have wondered the same thing with my ten year old minnie 101. Seems like the minimum would be to rebuild it and a new brush kit to get some new life into an older motor in my case. I am sure the trolling motor guru's will have a better answer for you. RR

Re: Do Trolling Motors degrade overtime

Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2017 9:19 am
by Stratos278
Pull your prop off and make sure that the shaft isn't wrapped with old fishing line (braid especially), dead grass or weeds. That stuff will definitely drag it down performance-wise.

Re: Do Trolling Motors degrade overtime

Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2017 9:30 am
by R. Duzac
I should have added to my post that I'm a stickler for not going out until everything is properly taken care of.
I've been stuck on the water so many times as a kid in my dads boat that I learned the hard way.

Good Batteries
Good Charge
Clean terminal
Jumper cables
Full tank of gas
Cleaned and lubed everything
ETC. :-)

Even my fishing gear is already set up before I hit the water.
Yes, like many of us I have a problem!

Re: Do Trolling Motors degrade overtime

Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2017 10:54 am
by hydro
Could also be a connection issue with the wiring to blame . A bad connection will have a voltage drop occurring across it . Using a Multi Meter set to DC volts read the battery voltage at the trolling motor pedal . Verify the supply at the pedal voltage matches your battery voltage . Put the trolling motor on the highest speed and monitor the battery voltage while hitting the switch on the foot pedal keeping everything clear of the spinning prop . If the voltage drops more than a small amount when running with new charged batteries you most likely have found the culprit in the wiring .

Re: Do Trolling Motors degrade overtime

Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2017 12:18 pm
by gabuelhaj
If the wiring is on a circuit breaker, check that for impedance/resistance when doing your other diagnostics.

Good luck!

Re: Do Trolling Motors degrade overtime

Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2017 2:19 pm
by WRB
It's a electric motor with brushes and armature, both wear out.
Tom

Re: Do Trolling Motors degrade overtime

Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2017 9:45 pm
by CBoat
water leaking into motor causing corrosion inside. My 8 year old motorguide was like that.