Minn Kota wont turn - voltage to turning motor issue?

[Zacchini]

Hi,

I'm just trying to diagnose my minn kota motor. It goes forward but won't turn (I only have a remote, no pedal).
When I turn the motor using the remote commands I get a reading of +/- 4volts from the control board - but the motor wont turn. Am I supposed to be getting 12??
When I connect the motor directly to a 12v battery it does spin.

My motor is 12v

Any help greatly appreciated. Cheers

 

[gm280]

Well first of all, :welcome: to iboats. Great to have you join us...

I am assuming you have a remote turning capable trolling motor and not a cable steering foot controlled model. If so, where are you reading +/- 4 volts at? And how did you connect it to 12 volts to verify the motor spins?

Post some pictures of your TM and even the model number of your TM. Then we can see what you are dealing with. Is your setup wired or wireless remote? Need some more info...

 

[Zacchini]

Well first of all, :welcome: to iboats. Great to have you join us...

I am assuming you have a remote turning capable trolling motor and not a cable steering foot controlled model. If so, where are you reading +/- 4 volts at? And how did you connect it to 12 volts to verify the motor spins?

Post some pictures of your TM and even the model number of your TM. Then we can see what you are dealing with. Is your setup wired or wireless remote? Need some more info...

Thanks!

It is a wireless remote controlled motor.
I'm getting the +/- 4volts from the control board to which the motor connects
Connected the TM straight to a battery to verify it spins

I've attached a photo of the TM and the trolling motor serial

Cheers

 

[GA_Boater]

Howdy.

Seeing the rust in the gear and motor housing, how are the rest of the gears and shafts the motor turns? Can you manually turn the gear driven by the motor?

 

[Zacchini]

Howdy.

Seeing the rust in the gear and motor housing, how are the rest of the gears and shafts the motor turns? Can you manually turn the gear driven by the motor?

Yes I can

 

[gm280]

Okay, since the gear train moves, does the motor driving the gears move as well? I know the motor isn't getting the proper voltage from you first post, but does the armature actually turn?

Can you post a picture of that control board where you measured the +/- 4 volts? And have to tried measuring the voltage there with the gear drive motor disconnected from that control board? Could be the motor has issues and is dragging down the voltage. If that is the case, you may need to service the motor, or buy a new one. Let us know either way about these questions... We are trying to help you!

 

[Zacchini]

Okay, since the gear train moves, does the motor driving the gears move as well? I know the motor isn't getting the proper voltage from you first post, but does the armature actually turn?

Can you post a picture of that control board where you measured the +/- 4 volts? And have to tried measuring the voltage there with the gear drive motor disconnected from that control board? Could be the motor has issues and is dragging down the voltage. If that is the case, you may need to service the motor, or buy a new one. Let us know either way about these questions... We are trying to help you!

Hi sorry for the late reply, been caught up in other stuff.
Yes the motor driving the gears moves, the armature does turn.

Below is a photo of where I measure the +/- 4 volts, measured when the motor was disconnected from the control board. Seems like it's not getting enough voltage to the turning motor? Do I need a new control board?
Thanks

 

[dingbat]

Time for a new control board

 

[gm280]

Before you buy anything, can you jumper volt to the motor itself and have it move? That way you verify it is the controller board and not the motor. But make sure the wires to the motor are disconnected from the controller board first. Otherwise if the motor is the problems you don't back drive the controller board and possibly fire a good board. Take a voltage and just touch the wires to the motor and see if it moves. Let us know what you find out...