Trolling Motor Loss of Power

[mav6759]

I have a 45 thurst MinnKota trolling motor that has lost power. The trolling motor works I have not problem with that, but when a man rowing a boat past me when my trolling motor was on top speed, I kinda figured something was wrong. Does anyone know what would cause the lack of power. I done some things to try to improve the power. New wiring to the trolling motor
new batteries, New eletrical plugs, Cleaning the prop shaft, But I come up with the same results. I know this motor can move my boat it has in the past. Do any know if I can brake down the motor and clean it from the inside would improve the power.

Mav6759

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Trolling Motor Loss of Power

Weak battery, fishing line wrapped up in propshaft, anchor dragging, don't laugh I saw it happen. Steve Austin rowing that boat.

 

[DJ]

Re: Trolling Motor Loss of Power

Is it a 12/24 volt model? Are you running on two 12v batteries or just one?

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Trolling Motor Loss of Power

How long are the wires from the battery(s) to the trolling motor and what gauge of wire did you use?

Have you checked the spade connectors in the head of the trolling motor or on the switch, they can loosed up and make poor contact.

 

[DJ]

Re: Trolling Motor Loss of Power

Have you checked the spade connectors in the head of the trolling motor or on the switch, they can loosed up and make poor contact.

Yes, if it is a 24V motor, they will sometimes only run on 12V (1/2 speed) if the contacts are poor.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trolling Motor Loss of Power

Measure the voltage at the battery. If it is less than 12.6 you have a bad battery or one that is not fully charged. Remove the top cover on the trolling motor. With the boat in the water, turn the motor on high and measure the voltage at the red and black power input. If that voltage is significantly less than that measured at the battery you have too much voltage drop between the batteries and the motor. That can be due to wire that is too small, connections that are not secure or corroded, or the battery(ies) you have are too small for the job. You do have deep cycle batteries -- don't you? What group size (22, 24, 27 etc.) are they. How big a boat and what type is this motor installed on? Has that boat taken on a lot of extra weight in the form of water soaked foam.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Trolling Motor Loss of Power

Just so you all know this, I was the first to post solutions, and you went back and edited your original post to include the solutions I mentioned, that makes my advise look bad as if I never read your post completely, next time please reply to rather than go back and re-edit, you kinda burned me.

This is what it originally read:

I have a 45 thurst MinnKota trolling motor that has lost power. The trolling motor works I have not problem with that, but when a man rowing a boat past me when my trolling motor was on top speed, I kinda figured something was wrong. Does anyone know what would cause the lack of power.

See what i'm getting at

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Trolling Motor Loss of Power

Did it ever run stronger? What size boat is it on? You could have a bad seal and getting water in it. Yes you can disassemble it and see if anything wrong is going on. Recommend you reassemble with new seals.

 

[DJ]

Re: Trolling Motor Loss of Power

70eliminator,

You have a PM.