Trolling Motor Help

Ben Andreas · Post by **Ben Andreas** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:43 pm

When I put the speed dial past 8 on my MinnKota trolling motor, the trolling motor would cut out / loose power. Does anyone have an idea what is happening, or who does work on trolling motors around Las Vegas?

minnkotaman · Post by **minnkotaman** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 7:28 am

sounds like you have a bad cell in 1 of the batteries.
the motor is only as good as the power source.

kopper_bass · Post by **kopper_bass** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 8:55 am

Ben,
When you say "cutout / loose power", what exactly do you mean?What type TM is it? What voltage, 12, 24, 36?did you upgrade it recently?

More info would help.

A possibility is that you are drawing too many amps at the higher power setting and thus tripping the inline fuse. This can be caused by not having the proper gauge wire from your batteries to your TM.

post some more info on your problem and maybe one of us can assist.

Kopper

Ben Andreas · Post by **Ben Andreas** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 12:08 pm

When I said cut out / lose power, I mean that the blade stops spinning, and the power is intermittent until I turn the dial down to 8 or below, then I can get consistent power. I have a Minnkota 101 36 Volt with 3 batteries pushing it. I have not changed anything for a long time, and this just started happening. Could it be the batteries? They are the cheap ones from Wal-Mart. They are not very old though. Maybe 6 months.

minnkotaman · Post by **minnkotaman** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 1:12 pm

it only takes 1 bad cell to drop the whole system.
again check the batteries.

Smile_n_Jax · Post by **Smile_n_Jax** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:50 pm

Go to Walmart and have your batteries tested. Have them run three load tests on each battery. Often it takes that many to get these newer type batteries to break down. If any of the batteries are questionable, replace it.

You may also have a speed switch going bad. It makes sense as the higher speed settings is when the most current it flowing through the switch. More current, more heat, the greater possibility of breakdown.

minnkotaman · Post by **minnkotaman** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 6:45 pm

again , check the batteries.
i've been the minnkota service rep. for 26 years.
if you keep running the motor, the control board which will
blow, cost from $200 TO $128 (and that's not including labor)
depending on the age of the motor.
i could go into a long list of why, but you have a bad cell in 1 of the batteries.

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:35 am

I run a MG, so I really have no specific knowledge about Minnkotas, but couldn't it be a bad switch?

Ben Andreas · Post by **Ben Andreas** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:14 pm

I checked my 3 trolling motor batteries at Walmart and 2 batteries were "unstable". Walmart replaced all 3 batteries; So it looked like the problem was resolved. Went out on the water and I have the same problem. When I put the speed past 8, the power cuts out. Does this mean its a bad switch? Is this something that can wait, or do I need to fix this right away? Thanks for the help.