| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Bestred1
New Member
USA
7 Posts |
 Posted - 10/10/2009 : 4:58:06 PM
|
I have a Minn Kota Riptide (saltwater series) 70-lb thrust, 24-volt, manual control, bow mount, 4-years old. Its running with about half the thrust it had when new.
I replaced both batteries this past spring. Shortly after replacing the batteries, the switch went bad (5-fwd/3-rev) so I replaced it. At the same time I found some corrosion at the connector plug. I restripped the wire and fixed the plug. I also looked at the female plug on the boat side and its connections are fine. Just to be certain, I disconnected the wires and put it back together. I've rechecked all connections again. They are all fine. I also just took both batteries and had them load tested. They both passed.
Someone suggested that I check the brushes so I did that today. They look fine and so does everything inside the motor case, no water intrusion. I put it back together and ran it for a few minutes. The only thing noticeable was that the prop shaft/armature got real hot. Almost 200 degrees F per a thermocouple used with my load meter. My current meter says its only drawing about 3-amps while at full speed, no load and out of the water. This seems way too low.
I also went and replaced the circuit breaker since they're cheap anyways.
Any ideas? Maybe a new armature is needed?
I am very frustrated at this point. I feel that I'm the best mechanic I know but am weak when it somes to electrical issues. Any help is appreciated.
|
|
|
frogman
Average Member
USA
238 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2009 : 07:12:53 AM
|
Might be time to bring it to a shop where they have the knowledge and test equippment to get you up and running.
There is one who advertises on this site who is said to be one of the best. (Foster & Joshua's Trolling Motors and ATVs)
Their phone # is on their ad, you can give them a call and see what they suggest. |
 |
|
|
Big John
Advanced Member
USA
1113 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2009 : 08:52:02 AM
|
Is this one of the models that has 5 distinct speeds ? If so, it has multiple windings in the field coil, stator or whatever the outer winding is called. It will have about six wires coming out of the motor head. You can google up a wiring diagram. It could be a bad connection on one of these at the switch or perhaps a bad spot in the wire. The 3 amp current at no load might be about right actually. The current draw without a load drops way off. All this being said, the hot shaft doesn't sound good. I am thinking that there could be a short in the armature. You sound a lot like me. I absolutely detest bringing anything to the shop. Most of the time they seem like they are just guessing themselves and charging an arm and leg. I trust myself a whole lot more. I am willing to bet that a new armature is expensive. I don't think there are too many places that rebuild starters and alternators anymore. A place like that could check it out for you. I used to use an older Cuban fellow in Baton Rouge. He fixed all kinds of stuff and rebuilt a starter for one of my vehicles for 1/3 the cost of a new one. Unfortunately, I believe he is puffing a big cigar in heaven right now. Like others have said, there are a couple of pretty good trolling motor shops around. You might have to give up and take it in. Good Luck
Old Fishermen Never Die, They just smell that way ! |
|
|
|
Bestred1
New Member
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2009 : 09:33:22 AM
|
Yes, it has 5-forward speeds. On another forum this morning, a guy that works on trolling motors wants to know what the current is under load. The weather has been crappy but if I can drop in for a few minutes today, I'll see what it is.
I found an armature online for $50 plus shipping. I'm close to just buying it.
I got a recommendation out of the Boat Dr in LA Sportsman for a good shop to go to. Problem is they keep bankers hours, 9-4 M-F, so I have to take off work to run it over there. |
|
|
|
Bestred1
New Member
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2009 : 1:12:19 PM
|
In between showers today I dropped it in for a quick run on the trolling motor.
It's drawing between 53 & 55 amps at top speed. 15 to 20 at speed-1. A little more at 2 thru 4. Jumps from about 30 to 55 when going from 4 to 5. It didn't trip my new 50-amp breaker but I can see now why it was previously. After pulling the motor out of the water, the casing is warm to the touch after just a few minutes.
Any thoughts?
|
|
|
|
oldmechanic
Advanced Member
USA
1187 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2009 : 3:04:32 PM
|
testing field windings and armature winding, none should go to ground. use the most sensitive ohm selection on your multimeter. ANY
continuity to ground (ground as in metal not wire) any and it is shorted.
field windings go in and come out and do not go to ground. armature comuntator windings do not go to ground either. both are in a closed system so that when the trolling motor is mounted to a metal boat, it doesn't short out if backwards plus reverse is only a reversal of current. |
|
|
|
Bestred1
New Member
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2009 : 4:02:39 PM
|
Thanks oldmechanic.
Help me just a little with this since I've never checked an armature for continuity. Do I put one lead on the windings and the other on the shaft to do this check? In other words, I should not read continuity to the shaft if the armature is good. |
|
|
|
oldmechanic
Advanced Member
USA
1187 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2009 : 6:05:08 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Bestred1
Thanks oldmechanic.
Help me just a little with this since I've never checked an armature for continuity. Do I put one lead on the windings and the other on the shaft to do this check? In other words, I should not read continuity to the shaft if the armature is good.
correct. also, run the leads from one spot on the armature all the way around checking each contact. there should be full continuity on all. find one with no continuity, and it will be a broken winding. |
|
|
|
Bestred1
New Member
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 10/12/2009 : 9:27:58 PM
|
No shorts on the armature. Could it still be bad?
Rather than run it to a shop, I found a complete new motor assy for $180 plus shipping. I figure if I take it to a shop, it'll be at least this much anyways.
I'm ready to go buy it unless I get any more suggestions. |
|
|
|
ed mcintyre
Administrator
USA
6079 Posts |
Posted - 10/12/2009 : 11:32:21 PM
|
i would still give josh over at trolling motors a call and see what he says. i would not like to spend $200 on something like that and not have a warranty. josh will warranty his repairs for at least one year. ed
http://www.trollnmotors.com/
remember we did not inherit these resources from our parents, we are merely borrowing them from our children |
|
|
|
Bestred1
New Member
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2009 : 6:12:10 PM
|
I hear ya Ed!
My biggest grief is this. All of you Minn Kota owners will love this one: I get no warranty on a new motor assembly unless it is installed by a factory authorized service center. This is a Minn Kota policy.
I'm sorry but this is just crap! This has got to be one of the biggest con jobs I've ever heard.
Hmmmmm, I'll have to sleep on this one: I'll have to miss at least half a days work to go to the west bank twice because they close at 4pm. Once to drop off, other to pick up. Plus no trolling motor for who knows how long. If this weather ever breaks, we'll be into prime time fishing here in South LA. While I'm waitng for the new one, I can at least slap the old one back in, even if it is crappy thrust. Just can't run on high speed. I'm willing to bet it will be at least $200 for them to touch it but at least they'll stand behind it. All of this verses $200 and no warranty but at least I could save my off work time for more fishing!
Life stinks sometimes doesn't it? Decisions, decisions ........... |
Edited by - Bestred1 on 10/16/2009 8:21:36 PM |
|
|
|
ed mcintyre
Administrator
USA
6079 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2009 : 7:27:19 PM
|
josh used to have pickup points all over the greater new orleans area. did you ask him about dropping it off somewhere? ed
remember we did not inherit these resources from our parents, we are merely borrowing them from our children |
|
|
|
hogheaven
Junior Member
USA
75 Posts |
Posted - 10/17/2009 : 8:48:39 PM
|
| bestred did you ever give the folks over at www.trollingmotors.com a call and find out what it would cost?? |
|
|
|
Bestred1
New Member
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 10/18/2009 : 9:30:14 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by hogheaven
bestred did you ever give the folks over at www.trollingmotors.com a call and find out what it would cost??
Its in their shop right now. The estimate was $150. I'll post the fix when I get it back from them. |
|
|
|
jumbo_crab
Starting Member
47 Posts |
Posted - 10/25/2009 : 2:06:59 PM
|
| i had a similar loss of power with my trolling motor. chased some electrical problems and finally got to taking the prop off.. found monofilament wrapped tightly around the prop shaft.. wasn't happy with myself for not going for the obvious fix first. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Sportsman's Paradise Vol 09-37
Trolling Motor - Low Thrust?
