Troubleshooting Trolling Motor Blown fuse

[tablerockboater]

Here's the deal, after some experimenting.<br /><br />Up until two days ago our trolling motor was working fine--every-day use since the weather turned nice.<br /><br />Yesterday morning it would not run at all.<br /><br />I found a blown fuse, which had melted the fuse holder, near one of the batteries. I replaced the fuse holder, and fuse.<br /><br />When I tried to run the motor, it still would not. I checked the fuses and the one on the other battery connection was now blown.<br /><br />When I replace the fuse it does not blow until I plug the trolling motor in. It blows as soon as I plug it in, before I actually run it.<br /><br />My guess is that a wire has come loose, or broken, somewhere after the plug (plug, foot controller, motor) and most likely between the plug and the foot controller, since the fuse blows before the switch is turned on, and it is shorting out.<br /><br />That seems logical with all the lifting and bending and moving it goes through.<br /><br />Whattya think?

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Troubleshooting Trolling Motor Blown fuse

You're on the right track.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Troubleshooting Trolling Motor Blown fuse

Get a dozen fuses and try 1 plug at a time if possible. You can find it. As soon as the fuse blows smell a plug connector , you might find it that way, NO BREEZES!

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Troubleshooting Trolling Motor Blown fuse

There is an easier way, make one of these:<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=011396#000006 <br /><br />Unplug everything. Reconnect one at a time until the light illuminates - that's your short!<br /><br />Or you can do it in reverse order, have everything connected and disconnect one at a time, when the light goes out - bingo!<br /><br />Aldo

 

[tablerockboater]

Re: Troubleshooting Trolling Motor Blown fuse

I went to Wal Mart to get 40 amp fuses, which is what was in it, but they don't have any. Neither did the boat dealer. So, I'll have to make another trip out, probably to an auto supply store.<br /><br />I am confused about trying the plugs 1 at a time, since there is only one plug for the trolling motor.<br /><br />Am I missing something?

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Troubleshooting Trolling Motor Blown fuse

I thought your foot controller had a plug also.

 

[tablerockboater]

Re: Troubleshooting Trolling Motor Blown fuse

Originally posted by cyclops2:<br /> I thought your foot controller had a plug also.

Nope. The wires in the plug go into the foot control. Some of them go to connections there, to govern speed and the other switch. The other wire(s) go(es) to the motor.<br /><br />I just looked at everything I am comfortable looking at myself, namely the wires and connections in the foot control and the wires and connections in the top of the trolling motor, and everything looks to be in order.<br /><br />For me, that means the next stop will be the Service Center.

 

[tablerockboater]

Re: Troubleshooting Trolling Motor Blown fuse

Good news.<br /><br />We took the trolling motor to the MinnKota Repair Center and it was working fine.<br /><br />They suggested we replace the fuse arrangement with circuit breakers, which I did. They popped when I plugged in the motor.<br /><br />I called the Tracker (Bass Pro) Service Center on my cell, while on the boat. The tech there had me wire the batteries differently.<br /><br />Now everything works fine.<br /><br />He said he didn't know why they attempted the "4-wire" set-up, and they don't do that any more.<br /><br />FWIW, it would have been a ***** trying to get to the wires, since the bow plug was pre-wired at the factory. Thank goodness for little miracles, and someone who knows what he's talking about.<br /><br />Now, anyone want to diagnose our dishwasher?