Managing slack in cable for Minn Kota Terrova I Pilot

[Rodney Smith]

I am a struggling to find a way to manage the slack line on my Terrova. It requires a good bit for all the rotation on spot lock and it can't be zip tied to the shaft like most trolling motors. I have seen where people run it up the grove on the shaft. My local authorized service center highly advised against that. He also said these motors weren't designed to have external transducers although I doubt many people use the built in USB one because it is sonar only. He said the best thing he had seen was an after market piece that mounted to the shaft and allowed the cable to pass through. It would have to slide up and down freely. He didn't know the name or where to find it. I can picture in my head what it looks like. Any ideas?

[corn-on-the-rob]

for my MG xi5 we use two of these: https://www.amazon.com/Keeper-RT4-5912-Flashlight-Retractor-Accessory/dp/B00A36SL4S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501762253&sr=8-1&keywords=diver+flashlight+retractor

 

They are made for diver's flashlights, so they are pretty heavy duty.

[A-Jay]

Could this work ?

https://www.cornfieldcrappiegear.com/product-page/copy-of-copy-of-cable-save-r-for-xi5

A-Jay

[12poundbass]

18 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Could this work ?

https://www.cornfieldcrappiegear.com/product-page/copy-of-copy-of-cable-save-r-for-xi5

A-Jay

I think I saw some place or maybe here where a guy used vinyl compressor hose. It looks just like what you suggested, but I imagine it's way cheaper.

[A-Jay]

25 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

I think I saw some place or maybe here where a guy used vinyl compressor hose. It looks just like what you suggested, but I imagine it's way cheaper.

 

I Do Not have that motor (nor this product) so I have no experience with either.

My TM experience is limited to MK Fortrex which is cable drive.

I've been on boats with electric steer TM and what you've describe has always been a bit of a challenge.

I posted that product as a possible solution not a recommendation as I haven't used it.

Also,  the use of vinyl compressor hose sounds like a legitimate idea and after looking at what I posted - appears to be what that product may actually be- and as stated - is less $$$

 

Here's a couple more choices / ideas - of course one will need to ensure that the inside tube diameter is appropriate for your needs and the color is a personal choice 

 

A-Jay

 

https://www.amazon.com/Kegco-BF-ALA516-5-Assembly-Clamps/dp/B003830Y3O/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1501766091&sr=8-4&keywords=vinyl+air+hose

 

https://www.amazon.com/HydroMaxx-Flexible-Non-Toxic-Clear-Tubing/dp/B01BHALAUK/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1501766018&sr=8-19-spons&keywords=vinyl+air+hose&psc=1

 

[12poundbass]

4 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

 

I Do Not have that motor (nor this product) so I have no experience with either.

My TM experience is limited to MK Fortrex which is cable drive.

I've been on boats with electric steer TM and what you've describe has always been a bit of a challenge.

I posted that product as a possible solution not a recommendation as I haven't used it.

Also,  the use of vinyl compressor hose sounds like a legitimate idea and after looking at what I posted - appears to be what that product may actually be- and as stated - is less $$$

 

Here's a couple more choices / ideas - of course one will need to ensure that the inside tube diameter is appropriate for your needs and the color is a personal choice 

 

A-Jay

 

https://www.amazon.com/Kegco-BF-ALA516-5-Assembly-Clamps/dp/B003830Y3O/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1501766091&sr=8-4&keywords=vinyl+air+hose

 

https://www.amazon.com/HydroMaxx-Flexible-Non-Toxic-Clear-Tubing/dp/B01BHALAUK/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1501766018&sr=8-19-spons&keywords=vinyl+air+hose&psc=1

 

I have a wireless MG TM but no transducer, so I'm on the opposite end as you. I by no means am recommending anything either, more of a "this might work" kind of deal.  

[Ranger Mark]

I ran my cable down the shaft in the groove and have had not the first problem, works great, video on u tube shows you how to do it, I recommend it

[slonezp]

No problem 4 years running. Needs to be done correctly or you will be eating transducers because of the cords getting damaged. I can walk you thru step by step if you're interested.

[Further North]

On 8/3/2017 at 3:42 AM, Rodney Smith said:

I am a struggling to find a way to manage the slack line on my Terrova. It requires a good bit for all the rotation on spot lock and it can't be zip tied to the shaft like most trolling motors. I have seen where people run it up the grove on the shaft. My local authorized service center highly advised against that. He also said these motors weren't designed to have external transducers although I doubt many people use the built in USB one because it is sonar only. He said the best thing he had seen was an after market piece that mounted to the shaft and allowed the cable to pass through. It would have to slide up and down freely. He didn't know the name or where to find it. I can picture in my head what it looks like. Any ideas?

Your local authorized serviced center is full of beans.

 

There's thousands, if not tens of thousands of Terrovas rigged with external transducers, and most of them have the cable run down that grove.  I've had two myself and have helped a dozen others rig theirs the same way.  It works just fine.

 

This tactic, unfortunately, does not work with Ulterras as there is a toothed belt in that groove that is used to raise and lower the motor.  There are a lot of solutions out there to this problem, some of which look like Rube Goldberg on a Vicodin/bourbon bender.  I haven't tried any yet, cannot report on effectiveness.

 

...here's what I don't know: Not sure if this works with the newest Terrovas (2017 models) as I have not helped install any.  There is a "lift assist" on them that may interfere with running the cable.

On 8/4/2017 at 9:16 AM, slonezp said:

No problem 4 years running. Needs to be done correctly or you will be eating transducers because of the cords getting damaged. I can walk you thru step by step if you're interested.

Exactly.

 

Great photos, and the point about cords getting damaged is critical.  Don't ask me how I know.

[dmack]

Been looking for help on this very topic. I too have had my last unit rigged with the cable running up the channel on my Terrova's shaft. I just installed a Helix 9 Chirp Mega SI. It doesn't seem to fit through the Terrova's knuckle running up the groove. Seems the new cable is just big enough to not let it slide through. Looking for an alternate way to deal the cable if I must run it outside the knuckle. Any ideas?

[Rodney Smith]

https://www.cornfieldcrappiegear.com/product-page/copy-of-cable-save-r-for-terrova.

i have this and it works great.