Need Advice: Trolling Motor Problem

[mraquatics]

Hey All,

My first trip of this year revealed an issue with my Minn Kota bow mount. In the first few minutes of operation, it seems like I am getting full power. However, very quickly the prop starts to alternate speeds and soon comes to a stop. It does this both in and out of the water, as well as on different power sources even when direct wired; so it must be the trolling motor. My research indicates a potentially bad armature. Having dissassembled the unit, there is a bit of black residue (like gun powder) in the housing, but the armature does not show typical signs of being bad (no rust, no water, no really bad wear). The prop shaft is straight and seals are intact. My questions is, could it be the power control board assembly in the base of the unit, or must the issue lie in the foot (most likly with the armature or brushings)? If you follow this link (http://northlandmarine.com/images/Ripti ... t%2065.pdf), I am wondering if the problem is with part #1, part #61, or any other... I am trying to avoid throwing parts at it, and definatley avoid replacing it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I am stumped at this point.

Thanks,
Mike.

[Flint River Pirate]

MIke, I had similar issues a few years back with a Minn Kots Rip Tide. It turned out to be in the actual tiller control. Apparently vibration has caused a loose connection and it would not maintain speed and would also just quit. It was an easy fix once I found it.

Dave

[mraquatics]

Thanks Dave. Mine is a foot control with auto pilot. I recently changed the compass cpu in the "head" of the motor and am sure it is not the issue. I do suspect that power control board though. The manner in which the prop slows before quitting make me think its a power "flow" issue, which may be attributable to a bad connection and defunked capicitor or something (not that I know much about electronics). I am thinking the power control board on mine would be similar to the tiller on yours (my foot control feeds into the power control board). Thanks again for the lead.

[zload]

Have you tried to bypass the control board and connect the motor to a direct power source? This would rule out the motor. I had a similar issue and to trace I simply connected the power leads coming into the control board to the motor wires leaving the control board bypassing the entire board. As soon as I had a prop spinning at full power I knew it was not a motor issue. Turned out one of the power leads going into the control board was the culprit, cleaned and reattached and I was good to go. It will at least let you focus your efforts to the problem area rather than the whole unit.

[mraquatics]

Excellent suggestion zload. I will tonight and provide feedback. I was trying to avoid troubleshooting the whole unit, this helps.

[onefishtwofish]

I cleaned my board with vinegar and baking soda and cleaned all contacts and connections. Reassembled and it worked fine, for a year. Finally my brother had it replaced when he bought the boat from me. It was spinning in one direction at unpredictable times and had power flow issues as well. It just died on him. Mine was a Riptide.

[mraquatics]

It is the power board. Motor runs with more power than I ever seen when I bypass the board. Through the board, power is sporadic and weak. Connections and wires look fine, MUST be the board itself. $78 from Northlandmarine.com and I'm back in the shallows. Thanks again!

[zload]

Well a loose connection would have been better but in the boater's world $78 isn't too bad!