spot lock problems/ minn Kota issues

[Slade House]

ive posted extensively in the past about my horrible experience with minn kota.  I sold mine and got an XI-5 , i won't go into all the reasons why the XI5 is 10 times better but the threads are out there about this.  

[PECo]

I’ve had no issues with my Ultrex, but it has the separate GPS puck installed. Do the Ulterras typically come with it installed, too?

[bassguytom]

You may be able to update the software. I remember doing this 2 years ago via the internet. Ask Minnkota if this is a possible solution. 

[NHBull]

2 hours ago, PECo said:

I’ve had no issues with my Ultrex, but it has the separate GPS puck installed. Do the Ulterras typically come with it installed, too?

Mine does

[Slade House]

The XI5 is way quieter, more reliable, and barely moves when its in spot lock. plus if i want to move my spot lock i can do so in 5 foot increments. 

[Jorgen]

On 6/23/2018 at 5:31 PM, PECo said:

I’ve had no issues with my Ultrex, but it has the separate GPS puck installed. Do the Ulterras typically come with it installed, too?

I have the puck installed.

 

On 6/24/2018 at 2:00 PM, Slade House said:

The XI5 is way quieter, more reliable, and barely moves when its in spot lock. plus if i want to move my spot lock i can do so in 5 foot increments. 

Moving in 5 feet increments is also possible on my Minn Kota:-)

 

[Further North]

On 5/7/2018 at 2:44 PM, jbmaine said:

UPDATE-- Got a new I pilot control head from Minn Kota. Installed it and tried it out. TM ran perfectly!!. Ran it for over 6 hrs. and not a single hiccup. 

 Think we're good to go.

                                  Jim

Thanks for the follow up.  Even the best companies have problems now and then, and how they respond is what separates them from everyone else.

[Jorgen]

Update. I have changed the gps-head 2 times, the same problems appears every time. Then I got an error-alarm on the motor, think that is related to the deploy/stove-function. Finally Minn Kota Norway admitted they have major problems with the ulterra riptide model. The will not be selling this in Norway anymore. Im not kiddding, but all motors sold in Norway has stopped working and has been returned. I get new Terrova as substitute and the pay me back the price difference.

[Leona]

I have have the spotlock shut down several times always on calm water. When I complained to the dealer we bought it from he asked if we had calibrated it. Could that be the issue?

[NHBull]

14 hours ago, Leona said:

I have have the spotlock shut down several times always on calm water. When I complained to the dealer we bought it from he asked if we had calibrated it. Could that be the issue?

If there is zero wind, it can have problems with over compensating, then disengage.  

[jbmaine]

1 hour ago, NHBull said:

If there is zero wind, it can have problems with over compensating, then disengage.  

I found the same thing. Spot lock seems to work best if it's holding position against " something", either wind or current.  In calm conditions it's almost like it's fighting itself to hold position, and sometimes it will give up and shut off.

[WalleyeMan]

I recently had trouble with spot lock on my minn kota v2 constantly disconnecting.  Around the same time this happened I also noticed that my I pilot steering was acting up.  Pressing the button would result in it turning properly and then other times not turning at all.

Long story short.  I determined that the little motor was seizing up and drawing to much power which in turn would cause the spot lock to disengage.

I bought the turning motor online (complete unit, including the housing.. didn't want to mess with all those internal gears and it worked like a charm.

Turns like brand new and the spot lock works flawlessly. Had nothing to do with the board.  

Thought I would post this to help anyone out that may be experiencing the same issue.

[Russ E]

On 7/28/2019 at 8:27 PM, Leona said:

I have have the spotlock shut down several times always on calm water. When I complained to the dealer we bought it from he asked if we had calibrated it. Could that be the issue?

your dealer is confused. I was told the following directly from Minn Kota:

All calibartion does is setup the heading sensor puck. The heading sensor is for spotlock jog only. It has nothing to do with how well spotlock holds position. You can run spotlock without the puck, but the spotlock jog will not work properly.

Spotllock works best if there is a little wind or current to work against.

If the motor is overcompensating and shutting off in calm water, try turning down the boat scale setting.

I did this and never had another problem.

[jbmaine]

Just saw this thread was still going. Just as an update, third season with the ulterra, couldn't be happier.

[Seahunt777]

Here’s your likely issue. Spotlock is programmed to disengage from a spot if it’s unable to keep you within a certain distance of the original spot... The main reasons causing are usually a strong current/wing in coordination with a battery thats been running hard. Basically you dont have enough juice to keep you on a spot. I have 3 batteries and i’ve experienced this plenty. Freshwater should be fine, but for salt unless you have a minnkota alternator to charge in between reef runs etc you can just about forget fighting the inlet or reef current for too long. Trolling motors running on level 10 in coordination with steering rotation drain will just about do your battery in to the point it wont lock in less than a couple hours some days less. A good hack for the inlet is to point upward to current run the motor in gear then really just count on your spot lock for steering to keep you from spinning to hold a spot. Generally, you’re doing this when the inlets too bad to get out so youre fishing the back of the inlet in tougher conditions. It’s not ideal but in a bad conditions day it beats going back to the dock or resorting to the bays where the bite is slower. 
 

I doubt this is the issue but keep in mind that the remote screen will go blank as a battery saving feature after 4 or 5 minutes but that doesnt mean the spot lock isnt still engaged. Look at the head to see if its still working as opposed to touching the screen as touching a button will disengage a spot lock.

 

Always carry extra remote batteries. Hate to lose a day on the water because of a $5  CR4024

 

And when all else fails open the ole anchor locker..

[NHBull]

On 9/10/2020 at 8:59 PM, Russ E said:

your dealer is confused. I was told the following directly from Minn Kota:

All calibartion does is setup the heading sensor puck. The heading sensor is for spotlock jog only. It has nothing to do with how well spotlock holds position. You can run spotlock without the puck, but the spotlock jog will not work properly.

Spotllock works best if there is a little wind or current to work against.

If the motor is overcompensating and shutting off in calm water, try turning down the boat scale setting.

I did this and never had another problem.

^^^^^this

[Tenpointer]

my 2021 Terrova anchor lock will not hold at all. It worked perfectly for all of last year. but now when I engage it, it will only hold for 8 to 12 seconds and disengages.

 I have changed the batteries in the remote. no help. the anchor lock problem persists whether I turn it on using the remote or the foot control. any Ideas?

[GaryH]

Two things I can think of. Is there a good gps signal where your fishing and make sure your cables aren’t wrapped tonight when you  turn. Either one of these will kick the spot lock off.

To tight not tonight