Bypass circuit board

StonecropR

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Aug 14, 2016
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I have a 4 year old Intek 40lbs thrust trolling motor (barely used). It runs for 4 seconds in any setting and stops. It runs fine out of water. It will run at any speed with the prop half covered with water. I have tried three different batteries, cleaned connections, and checked the circuit board looking for bad connections or burns on circuit boards. If I bypass the circuit board and hook the wires direct from the battery to the motor (keeping the top on for coverage what issues could I encounter? I am using the motor (hope to) to push. 14' aluminum boat. I have a smaller 30lbs motor to steer with and provide a bit more thrust. I hope to get through the rest of this fishing season before I get a better motor. Please be kind, I am one of those over paid teachers you hear about. I am already working a second job, and have almost no spending money... Thank you to all who can help me move my boat to my next fishing adventure.
 

Silvertip

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Sep 22, 2003
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28,771
If there is a circuit breaker in the positive lead at the battery, it may be tripping after just a short time. Bypass it (AS A TEST ONLY - DO NOT DELETE IT). If the motor works ok then replace the breaker with a 50A manual reset style.
 

gm280

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Jun 26, 2011
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14,605
If there is a circuit breaker in the positive lead at the battery, it may be tripping after just a short time. Bypass it (AS A TEST ONLY - DO NOT DELETE IT). If the motor works ok then replace the breaker with a 50A manual reset style.


Silvertip I could see that being the problem only if that breaker is self resetting. Otherwise he would already know about a breaker if he has to manually reset it. He didn't state that so I am assuming (yea I know about assumptions :eek:) that he isn't resetting any breaker.

However, with that stated, If you plan to bypass the circuit board, disconnect the board entirely out of the circuit. Other wise jumping across the circuit board still allows voltage/current to back flow into the circuit board and who knows what it could fry. :noidea:

If you have the time, post a picture of your circuit board. At least I can see what components are on it to get an idea if there is a resettable breaker on it.
 

sam am I

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Jun 26, 2013
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2,169
IIf I bypass the circuit board and hook the wires direct from the battery to the motor (keeping the top on for coverage what issues could I encounter?

My $0.02.......

If it's not a inline/external breaker as silver says, then it could also be a thermal limit breaker inside the motor housing.........By the sounds of it, the controller (the processor and such) sounds to be fine and functional. It definitely sounds like something (breaker, thermal switch, etc,) in a/the higher current path either flaking out or actually doing its job due to a real problem. The controller also might be sensing an over current issue and is shutting it off in a controlled self protection shut down......

As to bypassing the controller, that could depend on the type of motor....

IF it's just a standard DC motor, probably would work AND certainly consider what gm suggested but, realize if you do do this bypass of a/the standard DC motor's speed/direction controller circuitry (most likely PWM type), you'll now have a motor that when connected to the batt, will just run full out/continuously at full throttle at all times.

IF it a brushless DC motor type, no, you can't bypass the controller, it requires a controller to function.

Of course, always hard to tell exactly the problem through a keyboard.
 
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