Repairing Guides

how to repair a trolling motor

by Prof. Kaitlin Considine Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How To Repair Your Trolling Motor

  • Continue Reading. It is an auxiliary power to ensure precision in maneuvering the boat, typically mounted on the transom, beside the primary outboard motor, or on the bow.
  • Let’s read more…. Once the battery is connected, move the throttle to rev the trolling motor. ...
  • Last step. ...

Part of a video titled Minn Kota Trolling Motor Repair - YouTube
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So i took it apart troubleshot it to see what was wrong with it and uh i'll show you how easy it isMoreSo i took it apart troubleshot it to see what was wrong with it and uh i'll show you how easy it is to fix it what it was is a bad brush in the motor. And you could buy a kit for uh.

Full Answer

Do I really need a trolling motor?

Yes, the shorelines aren’t always to best places to fish especially when in a boat without a trolling motor. Instead, I focus on areas with underwater structure and depth changes because both are used by fish like seatrout, redfish, snook, etc. to ambush prey. Reply

How to tune a trolling motor?

This is done by changing the relation between the brushes and the magnets on the motor. The motor will then be optimised to rotate in one direction, the power in the opposite direction of rotation will be reduced/less efficient. This is usually not an big issue with outboards.

Can You tune a trolling motor?

Tuning the Minn Kota electric trolling motor. The electric motors for radio controlled cars and airplanes have been the subject of many modifications. One of the more useful things you can do is to alter the timing of the motor. This is done by changing the relation between the brushes and the magnets on the motor.

How to remove a Minn Kota trolling motor?

How to remove the propeller from a Minn Kota trolling motor. Terranova series with iPilot

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How do you test a trolling motor?

2:213:3112V Trolling Motor Standard Speed Switch Test - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAs soon as you apply power if the switch is bad and you couldn't get your trolling motor to work.MoreAs soon as you apply power if the switch is bad and you couldn't get your trolling motor to work. This test will make the trolling motor jump immediately to full speed.

Why am I not getting power to my trolling motor?

Loose Connection A loose or broken wire is one of the most common problems if you have no power to your trolling motor. Often, the vibrations that come with repeated uses will cause wires or other parts to shake loose, killing the electrical circuit.

How do you disassemble a trolling motor?

0:376:08Tutorial - Force Trolling Motor: Shaft Disassembly - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you have a power plug disassemble and remove. It. Next use a number one phillips screwdriver andMoreIf you have a power plug disassemble and remove. It. Next use a number one phillips screwdriver and remove the single screw that secures the upper tab of the cable bracket to the mount base.

Do Minn Kota trolling motors have fuses?

Minn Kota trolling motors do not have fuses, however, I recommend installing a 30-60 amp fuse or circuit breaker. The model of trolling motor you own will determine the size of the fuse/circuit breaker.

Does a trolling motor have a fuse?

Generally speaking, trolling motors don't come with the fuses or circuit breakers included, though the owner's manual will probably recommend using one or the other.

How do you reset a trolling motor circuit breaker?

There is a small black button located on the side of the circuit breaker that needs to be pressed back in to restore power to the motor.Check for anything that would cause the motor to pull excessive power. ... Check for any points of resistance causing heat build up. ... Once everything checked, depress the black reset button.

How do you fix a trolling motor on a MinnKota?

0:1117:32Minn Kota Trolling Motor Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo i took it apart troubleshot it to see what was wrong with it and uh i'll show you how easy it isMoreSo i took it apart troubleshot it to see what was wrong with it and uh i'll show you how easy it is to fix it what it was is a bad brush in the motor. And you could buy a kit for uh.

How do you rebuild a Motorguide trolling motor?

1:587:22Motorguide Trolling Motor Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipShow you through it but it. Alright. So this is the head of the trolling motor. And I basically tookMoreShow you through it but it. Alright. So this is the head of the trolling motor. And I basically took it apart your cables you've got actually a long one and a short one.

How do you clean a trolling motor armature?

2:3121:25Trolling Motor Repair ( Armature & Magnet Housing ) CleaningYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd some electric motor to here but all I found was a plastic brush and I found some degreaser. AndMoreAnd some electric motor to here but all I found was a plastic brush and I found some degreaser. And I'll probably use some wd-40 come towards the end.

Do I need a fuse between battery and trolling motor?

It is highly recommended that a circuit breaker or fuse be used when installing a trolling motor. Refer to the Minn Kota “Conductor Gauge and Circuit Breaker Sizing Table”. For motors requiring a 60-amp breaker, the Minn Kota MKR-19 60-amp circuit breaker is recommended.

Can you test a trolling motor out of water?

While it might be convenient to test your trolling motor out of the water, it's not safe for very long. The motors require water to cool them. Without that, they can overheat extremely quickly. Most anglers won't run an electric trolling motor outside of the water for any more than a minute and that is extreme.

How do I know if my trolling motor battery is bad?

1:136:55Symptoms of Poor Marine Battery Performance & the Effect on Trolling ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf your battery. Voltage. Is not well maintained. Or your batteries are getting weak towards the endMoreIf your battery. Voltage. Is not well maintained. Or your batteries are getting weak towards the end of the day after you've been running your your trolling motor all day the battery.

How do you check if a trolling motor is getting power?

1:523:52How to Check Your Trolling Motor Breakers - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you want to check you go ahead and push them in make sure they're good to go if they were poppedMoreIf you want to check you go ahead and push them in make sure they're good to go if they were popped they'd be popped out just like a housebreaker would be alright these ones are good.

How do you check the power on a trolling motor plug in?

1:1314:39No Power to Trolling Motor Diagnosis and Fix - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPower. Okay test lights here just worked by completing the circuit with the little probe and there'sMorePower. Okay test lights here just worked by completing the circuit with the little probe and there's a little light in there that will light up so we'll hook up the alligator clip.

Do trolling motors need a circuit breaker?

It is highly recommended that a circuit breaker or fuse be used when installing a trolling motor.

How do you troubleshoot Motorguide trolling motor?

Start by inspecting your electrical system to ensure power is reaching the motor. Check the connections at the battery terminals and the trolling motor. Clean battery posts with a wire brush when you discover corrosion and grime. Check the voltage on the battery, and replace if the battery will not hold a full charge.

Why take apart a trolling motor?

It ensures that you do not damage other parts from trying to find the fault of one piece. Taking apart a trolling motor is usually at your own risk. And you should ensure that you get the required replacement parts. They are of top quality to ensure that you do not fix in a faulty replacement part.

How to test if trolling motor is working?

The first test you should carry out is by connecting it to a battery to be sure that the trolling motor was not affected by a weak battery. Turn on the trolling motor after attaching it to a battery of about 12-volts.

How many volts does a trolling motor need?

Turn on the trolling motor after attaching it to a battery of about 12-volts. Electric trolling motors feature either a 12V, 24V or 36V DC electric motor that is brushed. And they can all be powered by a 12–volt battery.

What does it mean when a trolling motor doesn't respond to the throttle?

If the trolling motor responds to the throttle the motor is in excellent condition, and if the trolling motor doesn’t respond to the throttle, then it means that the fault is not from the power source. Now open the head of the controls. And check each of the wires to ensure that they are still properly connected.

What is the auxiliary power of a trolling motor?

A trolling motor used as the auxiliary power for maneuvering is usually mounted on the bow. While the other used for trolling game fish as a secondary means of propulsion is on the transom. Electricity, gasoline or hand usually power the different types of trolling motors.

Why is a trolling motor used?

The trolling motor usually lifted from inside the water whenever the primary engine of the boat is in operation. To reduce the drag that would be caused by the water on the motor. The trolling motor is usually a secondary means of propulsion.

How to know if a motor is faulty?

The external motor is most likely going to work since we know that the fault is not from the power source. You can use a multimeter to test for the flow of current to the motor. If the meter indicates that current is allowed to flow to the battery, then you know that the fault is from the motor.

Why is a trolling motor low resistance?

The best kind for trolling motors is one with low resistance because they don’t waste as much energy or get hot enough to start a small fire.

Why Use a Deep Cycle Marine Battery on a Trolling Motor?

The difference between deep cycle batteries and starting batteries is that the latter are designed for a single, high-powered burst while deep cycles have thicker plates which enable them to withstand more charge/discharge cycles. They provide less power than their counterparts, but will continue providing energy until they’re used up–so long as you don’t let it go below 50%.

What to do if your wires are failing?

Solution to Wiring Problems. If you notice any signs of wires or batteries failing, make sure to buy replacements and have them professionally fitted before they fail completely. You should ensure that you purchase a wire with the proper length and size for the job you want it to do.

Why is my motor not running?

The most probable cause for a non-running motor is the propeller. Possibly Jammed or not lubricated well enough. It is also the easiest to fix! So cross your fingers this is it. Follow the manufacturers guidelines to remove it, and any gunk that has collected, and put it back securely. Last thing you want is to have it fly off under water.

How to fix low voltage?

If that’s not it, you should inspect and clean or replace their battery if needed. Low voltage can be corrected by recharging your batteries ( if you have more than one) fully before inspecting them to see if any are draining out faster than others (bad cells).

What does it feel like when a fishing boat's motor dies?

You know that sinking feeling you get when your fishing boat’s motor dies? It feels like the whole world just gets a lot bigger in an instant. The last thing any boatowner or angler wants to hear is their trolling motor making some strange noise, not turning on at all or even worse failing while out at sea.

What is deep cycle marine battery?

The deep cycle marine batteries are constructed quite differently from starter batteries. It is also important to note that as a lead-acid battery, these internal series of plates can be thicker and produce less current than traddtional strater engine batteries.

How to maintain a trolling motor?

How To Maintain Your Electric Trolling Motor 1 Always recharge the batteries after using the electric trolling motor. 2 Always unplug the trolling motor before charging. 3 Only use distilled water to top off your batteries. 4 Lubricate all the pivot points using a non-aerosol lubricant. 5 Make daily checks to ensure that the battery lead connections are tight. 6 Disconnect the trolling motor from the batteries when not in use or during battery charging. 7 Use marine-grade wire for your wiring connections since they are robust, flexible, and insulated to suit the marine environment. 8 After using the electric trolling motor, always check behind your propeller for fishing line, weeds, or other debris that might have wrapped around it. 9 Always rinse out your electric trolling motor with fresh water after using it in salty water. 10 Avoid wetting the top cover since this could cause damage to the circuitry inside. 11 When not using the electric trolling motor, like during freezing weather, store the motor in a location safe from the elements.

Why won't my trolling motor work?

If the connections have loose wiring or corrosion, your electric trolling motor will not work. Check the plug as well, as it could be loose or connected incorrectly. Fix the plug either by tightening the loose connection or connecting it properly.

Why do you need a circuit breaker for a trolling motor?

Without a circuit breaker, the trolling motor would require additional power to turn the jammed propellor and eventually burn up, causing damage.

Why is my electric troller not working?

The top six reasons why your electric troller motor is not working include battery failure, loose wires, ...

How to prevent power loss from loose connections?

Again, if for any reason you decide to run wire extensions for your electric trolling motor and battery wiring, go for a 6-gauge wire if the extension happens to be more than 6 feet (1.82 m).

How to prolong battery life?

To prolong your battery life, avoid depleting your batteries fully, as doing so shortens their lifespan. In addition, recharging your battery once every month maintains the health of your batteries during the off-season. You might also want to consider tripping your circuit breaker manually after fishing to prevent the drain on your batteries from the electric trolling motor.

What type of batteries do trolling motors use?

Batteries power electric trolling motors. Most of these motors use 12-volt deep cycle marine batteries, which come built to deplete and recharge related to trolling motors. AGM batteries (absorbed glass mat) last longer, but they are pricier; hence they are not widely used.

What to do if trolling motor wire is loose?

If it's loose, re-snug or replace the terminal ring.

Why is my trolling motor not working?

Poor connections to batteries are one of the most common sources of trolling motor problems. All trolling motors require a clean connection to power to run effectively.

How to clean a composite trolling motor shaft?

Grab a bottle of Pledge ® multipurpose cleaner, Armor All ®, or another water-based* silicone spray and apply some spray to a soft cloth, and wipe down the composite trolling motor shaft.

How long have Minn Kota trolling motors been around?

Minn Kota® trolling motors have been around for over 86 years and they’re the toughest out there, but that doesn’t mean periodic maintenance should be ignored.

What is the lifeblood of a trolling motor?

Your batteries are the lifeblood of your trolling motor and keeping them in a healthy state is the most critical piece to trolling motor performance.

Why do prop pins bend?

They are designed to bend or break under pressure to prevent greater damage from happening to your prop and driveshaft.

What is the most important tool on a fishing boat?

Arguably the most important tool on your fishing boat is your trolling motor. Can you guess which tool takes the most abuse on your boat? It’s likely your trolling motor. They get bumped against stumps, rocks, docks, ran for hours on end, and abused by weather.

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