Brand new Minn Kota acting up.

[JoeW]

This past pring I bought a brand new Minn Kota Poer Drive 65 lb 24v motor with copilot. I've got less than 2 hours on this motor. I went to test it this afternoon. The prop won't turn unless I give it a spin with my hand first. Then it seems to run fine. When I stop it and start it again with foot pedal or copilot, prop won't turn until I help it again. <br />Please tell me I'm doing something real stupid. This thing set me back $800.00

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Brand new Minn Kota acting up.

Honestly, it sounds like your batteries are low, if not then you have a bad armature.

 

[JoeW]

Re: Brand new Minn Kota acting up.

Thanks Lubdude.<br /><br />The power monitor on the motor indicates maximum charge. The batteries are brand new. Once I got it out on the water for a while, it worked fine. <br /><br />-Joe

 

[kalan2000]

Re: Brand new Minn Kota acting up.

Joe,<br /><br />Did you check for fishing line around the prop? Try taking the prop off and see if anything's there, then try to see if it runs without the prop. <br /><br />It should still be covered under warranty. Sunny's the local authorized repair shop. Give him a call. Maybe he can put you on the right path.<br /><br />Let us know how it turns out, Joe.<br /><br />Al

 

[i386]

Re: Brand new Minn Kota acting up.

I got mine used, but it did the same thing. I took it apart and it was full of water. One of the large orings that seals the housing had failed. <br /><br />My solution:<br /><br />I dried it out, cleaned the armature contacts with my dremel and the brushes with 600 grit sand paper. I put it all back together just to test it and everything looked good. Then I dissasembled and reassembled sealing it with silicone sealant. It hasn't given me any more problems.<br /><br />NOTE:<br /><br />If it wasn't such an old beater I would have purchased a seal kit instead of using silicone. Reason being I'll probably never be able to take it apart again.

 

[KM2]

Re: Brand new Minn Kota acting up.

I think your under warranty. Get that motor in to authorized repair place and let them deal with it. Some of the suggestions sound great but I wouldn't take anything apart other than removing the prop while under warranty. I would hate to see it voided because you wanted a peak inside.