Older Minnkota wiring

[kunuter]

I have an older Minnkota bow mount trolling motor that came on a boat I recently bought. Unfortunately, it's not working quite right. It is a 12/24V motor, but will only work when in 12V mode, but also has to be hooked up with 2 batteries. Also doesn't seem to have quite the thrust. It's obvious someone else has already messed with the wiring. I can't seem to find anywhere to get information on this motor (year, model, ect.). I would really like to find a wiring diagram for it. Anyone know of any good sites or info?? Thanks!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Older Minnkota wiring

Do you have the two batteries wired in series? How many wires run to the batteries from the foot pedal (the answer will be three or four). Is there a switch on the foot pedal for selecting 12 or 24 volt operation. Is the cable from the foot control connected to a receptacle at the bow or is it wired directly to the batteries. If there is a bow receptacle, does it also have a 12/24/run/charge switch? If so, include pictures of the front and back of that panel. I probably have a diagram but there are many configurations for motors of this type so I need to know what you have. The answer requires details, details, details.

 

[kunuter]

Re: Older Minnkota wiring

Wow! You are right about the details! Off the top of my head I can tell you that there is a 12/24V switch on the foot pedal, the batteries are connected in series directly to the motor (no receptical). I know the serial number on the motor is MK0860967. I'll need to get to the boat (in storage) and get the rest of the answers. Thanks!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Older Minnkota wiring

combination 12/24 volt motors normally require separate feeds from each of the two batteries (two wires from each battery) to the bow panel then to the receptacle, then to the foot control. So essentially the two batteries are not connected together until the bow panel and/or foot switch. So -- if you really have them wired in series which looks like the diagram below, it is no wonder the motor doesn't work. Until I know how many wires are in the motor cable, how the batteries are "really" wired, what the switch/receptacle panel looks like, how many terminals in the troller plug/receptacle and what the switch on the panel says, we can't help much. There probably is nothing wrong with motor except for the wiring.

 

[kunuter]

Re: Older Minnkota wiring

Pics should be up later tonight, but here's the info so far. It's a model 599, 41 thrust 8 speed. There are 3 wires coming out of the foot control to receptical. Wires are red, black, and white. A different 3-prong receptical has been spliced in to the factory wiring. Receptical-to-batteries wiring has also been chopped up. The white wire is cut and taped off, with just the red and black wires going to the batteries. There were other chunks of wires being used to hook the batteries in series. (If I didn't mention it before, I just bought this boat and trying to figure out someone elses screw-ups). There is also a second 3 position switch on the foot control that have "mom", "off", and "con." My guess is I'm only running off of one battery, like you said.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Older Minnkota wiring

MOM = Momentary. The motor runs only when you step on the "GO" pedal. OFF = Ain't going nowhere (as in power is off). CONT = motor runs continuously at the selected speed and you don't need to step on the pedal (else it wouldn't be continuous). On the motor harness: Red to black = 24 volts. White to black = 12 volts. If you want this motor to run on ONLY 24 volts, connect the batteries in series as I showed in the diagram. Wire them directly to the troller receptacle on the same terminals the troll cable red and black wires connect to. Set the foot switch to 24 volts and go fishing. If you want 12 volts ONLY, parallel the two batteries, run the same wires to the receptacle pins that match the white and black wires on the troller plug. Set the switch to 12 volts and go fishing. Since I don't have any idea what has been butchered and what the front and back of the switch, the receptacle, the plug and the battery wiring looks like that's the best I can do. When I see the pictures (especially of the BACK side of the switch/receptacle panel, then we can figure out the 12/24 combo thing. But for now, prove to yourself that both the 12 AND 24 sides of the motor work. No sense trying to sort out the wiring if the motor doesn't work on one voltage or the other..

 

[kunuter]

Re: Older Minnkota wiring

Hooked up to the batteries as you described and found that both 12 ad 24V works with the control switch in "momentary" position. Nothing works with the switch in "continuous" position. I already have ordered a new switch, since this one fell apart while I was removing the cover on the foot control. I'm glad to find out that the motor is working properly. One main question...what is the correct way to connect the batteries with this 3 wire system? I've also finally included pics. Thanks for all the info!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Older Minnkota wiring

With "what three wire system?" Three wires going into the motor is normal. Wiring from the batteries can be either three or four wires depending on what the boat manufacturer decided was best. The wiring at the switch panel at the bow of the boat is different for the two systems. If you were to have a 12 volt only or a 24 volt only system you would need only two wires going up front.