Trolling Motor Troubles

[Fishysnowboarder]

I'm baffled...  I have a 2011 MinnKota Power Drive V2 running on a parallel 12V system.  The unit has run great and suddenly one day the prop stopped spinning mid trip.  The batteries are good, the motor will turn 360 degrees, the shear pin is good, but the prop will not turn when engaged.  It will spin freely by hand.  Any ideas?

[Smokinal]

I'd start by checking all connections first. Wiggle plugs, connections etc... If nothing there, is the system fused?

[BassnChris]

In addition to the fuse....I would expect to find a circuit breaker......check that too.

[Koofy Smacker]

May sound stupid but are you sure the switch on the pedal is switched to on?

[BassnChris]

May sound stupid but are you sure the switch on the pedal is switched to on?

Been there done that..........unfortunately that's not a stupid question ;-)

[Koofy Smacker]

Been there done that..........unfortunately that's not a stupid question ;-)

first time it ever happened to me i nearly pulled my hair out and had the fuses and wiring harnesses all checked before i remembered it was even there

[awefvawervwae]

are you using pedal or co-piolit or I-Piolit? If so do you have the off buttin pushed in by accident? When I first got mine and was learning what all the buttons did on the remote. I had some how hit the off button and didnt even realize it existed and thought my Tm was shot. I could turn it but could not get the prop to come on.

[Scott F]

If the unit turns, then your fuses/circuit breaker are fine. Minn Kota foot pedals have a long history of problems.  Just about everyone I know, including myself, carries a spare foot pedal because of how often they break. Maybe you should just buy one. If you don't need it now, you will soon.

[Smokinal]

If the unit turns, then your fuses/circuit breaker are fine.

Good point Scott, I read right over that part.

[Fishysnowboarder]

Thanks for all the helpful comments. I have done most everything suggested. I may just buy a new foot pedal. When I touch the foot pedal to engage motor it clicks once in the main unit, like it is trying to communicate. I'll keep you posted.

[MarkH024]

I own a powerdrive V2 70#. I'm on my 3rd pedal in 5 seasons. They're junk and the contact points on the circuit board go bad fast. Especially if dirt or sand gets in there. I'd bet that's the issue. MK really dropped the ball on that pedal and what's worse is they continue to make them.

[cadman]

I own a powerdrive V2 70#. I'm on my 3rd pedal in 5 seasons. They're junk and the contact points on the circuit board go bad fast. Especially if dirt or sand gets in there. I'd bet that's the issue. MK really dropped the ball on that pedal and what's worse is they continue to make them.

I had a power drive on my other boat, and I also had to replace my pedal. When I sold my boat I had already replaced the pedal 4 times. I would never buy another power drive..

 

Mark,

    Try to save up for a Terrova. That motor will work really well on your boat. If you ever get one, you will wonder why you didn't change earlier. I love my Terrova. I put I-pilot on there and I rarely use my pedal, except in heavy winds.

[MarkH024]

I have plans to upgrade at some point. I wanted to take care of my electronics first and then upgrade to either Terrova or Maxxum. The other thing I hate about my V2 is the shaft is way too long. Especially since I fish a lot of water 4' or less. If I keep it for another few seasons I'm going to shorten the shaft.

[Zoff]

I had the same problem on my Maxxum.  Turned out that the circuit breaker was bad.  Never tripped and seemed to be working but it was restricting the voltage.  Replaced with a new, and correct, breaker and it workes fine now.

[TRYTOFISH]

If it has the slide button for speed control, take apart foot pedal and shim behind the contact strip. I had one that was doing the same thing and found it was not making good contact.

[Chris at Tech]

Did line get in the prop?

[Fishysnowboarder]

I ended up taking the foot pedal apart and cleaned it up...a ton of sand and grime in there. Plugged her back in and everything works again!!!

Thanks again for the advise gang.