Trolling motor prop not turning

[The Baron]

Wondering if anyone has experience with this problem.  I bought a refurbished Minn Kota Power Drive V2 from a local shop, with an older model iPilot add-on new in the box.  I had the shop instal everything.  The motor worked great first few trips out, but we ran low on battery power quickly last trip (which was the first time I ran the trolling motor any length of time and on max power).  I got the battery tested after recharging it and it tested good for voltage (12.9) but showed half the amps it should.  I had no idea how old the battery was and a buddy who knows a lot more than me said sounds like the battery is getting tired, so I bought a new one (a VMAX Tanks MR-137 120 AGM deep cycle).  I also bought a weedless wedge prop and switched it out for the old one - torqued the nut just past snug, per the instructions.  So, a new battery and new prop since the last use.  I did notice the motor beeped a few times while I was getting the new battery connects tightened up, but figured that was likely normal as the power flickered (that may have nothing to do with my problem, but thought I should mention it).  I went out today and now the trolling motor prop won’t turn.  The motor turns fine for steering, and when I hit the prop start button on my remote I hear a click in the motor like it got the signal, but the prop doesn’t turn.  Any ideas???‍♂️
 

The guys at the shop have been great, so I’ve got no concern they’ll fix me up next week.  But if I could figure this out myself and take my son fishing tomorrow (Sunday), that’d be better.

[TnRiver46]

Got any corrosion on the ring terminals? 
 

that or the shear pin is broke or not lined up right 

[airshot]

Take the prop off and see if the shaft turns...if it does, then prop is on wrong...if the prop shaft does not turn then you have an internal problem.

[The Baron]

OK, got up this morning and wanted to figure this issue out.  I took the prop off and no, the shaft was not turning.  I then connected to a different battery and the shaft would turn ok.  I reconnected to the new battery and the shaft would also turn now - maybe was a bad connection.  I put the prop back on and found it would stop turning if I tightened the centre nut anything much past finger tight, so there is now a little bit of play in the prop when I push it toward the power head.  It makes sense to me that tightening the prop against the motor housing will jamb it and not let it turn, so it confuses me how I’d tighten the nut to 1/4 turn past snug per the directions.  I’ll have to stop by the shop again and ask if this is normal.

[airshot]

Wrong prop or missing some washers ??  Is it a factory prop for that motor ?

[The Baron]

Yeah, it’s a factory replacement Minn Kota Weedless Wedge prop.  There’s only one washer that goes on the front, below the centre nut.  No washers behind the prop - same as the original I took off.

[Way2slow]

Does the prop turn freely by hand?  If it's rubbing or snug to turn by hand, sounds like it's not the right prop for that particular motor and it's going to deep on the shaft and binding down against the motor housing. It should turn free and easy with the prop nut snugged down.  MinnKota makes bunches of different props, and it has to say it suitable for your motor's model number.

[The Baron]

10 hours ago, Way2slow said:

… sounds like it's not the right prop for that particular motor…

You are correct.  I took the boat by the shop and turned out they sold me the wrong prop - it’s the right size for a 55# motor, but mine is the older Powerdrive V2 and it’s not compatible with the newer style Weedless Wedge 2 props.  Swapped out for another of the same I have and all good.  Not really what I wanted, but likely good to have a spare on hand anyway.

 

Thanks for all of the help and comments.  I’m learning as I go here.  lol

[casts_by_fly]

As you've found, there are a couple sizes of minn kota props.  The smallest is the 3 1/4" motor body which is what I think you have (and what I have on my autopilot).  That is what all of the 12V motors have except for the 55#.  Then there are 3 5/8", 4", and 4 1/2".

 

If you want a weedless wedge prop on the 3 1/4", the MKP-6 is the right prop.  I have one for my autopilot and it gets put on in May and doesn't come off until October.  Since my trolling motor is my primary propulsion it gets to be a pain clearing weeds as you go.  I can't just pull up the motor part way to clear it and drop it back in like a bow mount.  The wedge plus a ninja blade sorts me out pretty well.  The WW mkp-6 is $22 or thereabouts from most retailers.  Well worth it to have as your primary or a spare. 

[The Baron]

Yes, the MKP-6 is what I have (2 of, now).  I was looking at the Ninja blade as well.  Will see how I’m doing once the weeds get up and might order one of those, if needed.

[casts_by_fly]

The other prop that fits is the MKP-2 power prop.  Probably not relevant for you, but for me that's my main prop for motoring distance.  Between the two, the mkp2 is 0.3-0.5mph faster in my autopilot.  I can top out nearly at 4 mph with it.  The MKP6 in the same conditions is 3.5 at best.  Then as the battery drops a little or any wind picks up I might be as low as 3 mph with the MKP6.  It makes no difference if you're just using it as a trolling motor, but in my case I am using it as my getting around motor too and that 0.5 mph makes a difference some times.  On a couple bigger lakes that also have grass I have started from the launch with the power prop, motored for a half hour, and swapped props to fish.  Its a faff and I don't like doing it, but sometimes needs must.

[The Baron]

That’s really good to know.  An MKP-2 might be better when I’m working offshore structure and holding in Spotlock.  Definitely better if I ever wanted to try slow trolling for walleye.  Thanks!

[casts_by_fly]

1 minute ago, The Baron said:

That’s really good to know.  An MKP-2 might be better when I’m working offshore structure and holding in Spotlock.  Definitely better if I ever wanted to try slow trolling for walleye.  Thanks!

If you're in open water then the MKP2 will give you a higher speed overall or a higher speed for a given motor setting.  If you're slow trolling I don't think you'll see much difference.  If anything you'll have finer control over speed with the weedless wedge.  I do find spotlock to be better with the MKP2.  I think the programming for spotlock must have a lookup charts that says "if I need to move X distance to hit my spot and I'm moving Y speed away from it, then set the motor at N".  For instance, if you're offshore and locked into a spot and the wind suddenly kicks up a gust, spotlock with the power prop hits the right speed setting to get you back onto your spot and then maintains it there.  The wedge feels like it gets overpowered some times and the motors first guess of a speed setting is underpowered.  So you drift just a little further off your spot than with the MKP2 before it kicks in and bumps the setting up more.  Its a subtle thing and only noticeable in gusty conditions.  Maybe too since I'm in a light kayak the wind affects it faster than in a bigger boat.  It doesn't hurt to try it though and for $20 it doesn't hurt to have another spare.