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| I have a 2004, 24v, 74lb motor that will only produce about 20% of the thrust it should. And even at that, it will peter out to nothing in a few hours or less. The batteries are hooked up correctly, (checked by 3 people), they are fully charged (according to the on board charger and a mulitmeter). The batteries are coming in to their 3rd season, they were new in July of 2008. What is the likely culprit? I've been told the batteries may not actually be charged by a dealer, but why would I get 12.4V on the multimeter? Is there another test or testing device I should be using? Is it a problem within the motor itself? Anyone have a similar problem like this before? If so, does anyone know of a reputable repair shop in the Sheboygan, Fondy or Appleton areas? |
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Location: Stevens Point, WI | You need to take the batteries in and have them load tested. I'm betting they aren't holding a charge or you have a bad battery. Take them to any good auto store, they will be able to load test them. |
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| I agree with TJ
Find a buddy who has an extra set of batteries and try hooking them up.
I also had a "Dual Pro" charger that was the cause of a problem with my batteries (about 5 years ago). When I talked with the Optima rep they told me that the Dual Pro was the cause of many of those problems. Switched charger and haven't had a problem since.Try hooking an external charger up to your batteries to see if they are fully charged.
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| Gings - 3/19/2010 10:26 PM
why would I get 12.4V on the multimeter?
12.4 is not a charged battery, do a web search, but I believe they should be 12.75 or so to be considered fully charged. I would suspect a battery problem.
Load testing are good suggestions, and would be my first step. |
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Posts: 650
| time for new batteries... |
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| Thanks for the suggestions. I've replaced the batteries and am still haviang the same problem. I took the unit into Anchor Marine in Appleton (Minn Kota Auth'd Service Center) and they said it looks excellent, no problems at all. So, it has to be something on the boat/with the wiring? And you know what they say about electrical problems..... if you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem!  I would have got after this sooner, but my employer said I needed to be in Texas and South Carolina for a while. Based on the fishing reports, or lack thereof, I have not missed anything. |
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| Where are you located? What is the boat? It worked fine last year? |
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Posts: 650
| Shep is right... need more info... well you batteries are OK... I would say your next thing to look at is the plug and recepticle... twice over the years I've had plugs go bad... I'd replace them both... Don't know how old your boat is but hey, then you got spares... speaking of spares, might as well get a new trolling motor too... It's seven years old... then you got a spare one of them too... Pricey, yes... but when you get on the water you got everything new and can enjoy yourself... replace that onboard charger too... had a few go bad over the years... FYI read manual for charger regarding lead cord length... Minn kota has some great rebates now...
Sorry, know that hurt but had to be said... |
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| I had some trouble with my Minn Kota Maxxum not getting full power. So when I did some research on it I found there was a problem with a Control box in the foot pedal of the trolling motor. I pulled it out myself and replaced it and it runs great and I have my full power back.
TJM |
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| The boat is a 2004 Crestliner TS 202. It was professionally rigged at Pamps. It ran fine last year. The Motor was checked out by the guys at Anchor Marine and it works just fine, so it is probably not the foot pedal. Could be the plug? I'll try that next, hell, I'm in this for two new batteries and a motor already, whats another $20! I did get a little money back from Uncle Sam/Obama, so I did throw down on a new Minn Kota Terrova with the I Pilot. And yes, it hurt. It also hurt when my wife bought a new stove on Sunday. (I guess were even!) So I do have a spare, and the spare is for sale for $395. If your worried about buying "damaged goods" I've got the papers from Anchor giving it a clean bill of health, so it really is good to go. If it does not work for you, I'll buy it back. I was feeling down until my buddy called me, he owns the same boat, but has a 250XS vs. my 225Opti, and told me he blew the powerhead, actually it was worse, a buddy borrowed his boat when it blew, Apparently a new power head on a 250 Opti will run you just under $8,000 OUCH! |
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| I WOULD CHARGE THEM WHEN YOUR INDICTACTOR SHOWS CHARGED UNPLUG CHARGER AND LET THEM COOL DOWN FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS THEN BUT THE CHARGER ON UNTIL IT SHOE CHARGED, THEN UNPLUG CHARGER TEST EACH BATTERY A GOOD CHARGED BATTERY SHOULD READ 13.5 IF IT READS BELOW 12 YOUR BATTERYS ARE BAD, GOOD MARINE BATTERYS SHOULD LAST ONLY 3 YEARS IF USED ALOT AND CHARGED CORRECTLY. |
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Location: mille lacs, mn. | Sounds to me it is not hooked up for 24v. Did anyone check the plug to see if a wire is off on the 24v. side of the plug-in. The plugs (to the boat) are usually where the 24v. jumper etc. is located. It might be hooked up for 12v. now and will seem very weak but will run.
Or a jumper is off on the batteries(if the jumper is not made in the plug-in)-even though 3 people checked it out.
Just a guess if everything else checks out fine. |
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| proeye - 5/6/2010 11:30 PM
GOOD MARINE BATTERYS SHOULD LAST ONLY 3 YEARS IF USED ALOT AND CHARGED CORRECTLY.
Not sure where you buy your batteries, but I've never had a set of trolling motor batteries last less than 4 years. And I push them hard. many 14 hour days fishing muskies, 10 straight hours pulling harnesses for walleyes, Jig fishing in the rivers, etc. I buy Johnson Control made batteries from Remy Battery in Milwaukee. Also sold at pamp's I am told.
And I do agree you have to take care of your batteries. Charge them after every use, make sure they are full of electolyte, terminals remain clean, and not corroded.
As far as the low power on the Maxxom, I'm thinking Steve is on the right track. Had a buddy ruin a 36 volt because the jumper came off, and he was running on 24 volts. Can you test the voltage at the plug?
Edited by Shep 5/9/2010 8:40 AM
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| yes you can test the voltage at the plug. your right battires will last longer than 3 years, good thing to invest in a load tester, a great tool to check the life of the battery. last but not least you could have a problem with circuit board, how old is it? |
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| your motor is a 2004 the last month we have replaced alot of control boards that fail for many reasons.. |
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| proeye - 5/9/2010 8:34 PM
yes you can test the voltage at the plug. your right battires will last longer than 3 years, good thing to invest in a load tester, a great tool to check the life of the battery. last but not least you could have a problem with circuit board, how old is it?
Jim, I am asking the guy with the problem if HE can and has tested it at the plug. I know it can be tested there.
Edited by Shep 5/10/2010 8:50 AM
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| one of my employees live in manitowc i could make arrangements to have him look at there to save you a trip. i pretty much know whats wrong, it would take about ten minutes to check it out, doug is very sharp tech, Thanks Jim we are a ASC minn kota center. |
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| Thanks again for the input. The new Terrova is hooked up, it seems to work just fine. I did pull the plug off the old one, wires and connections appeared to be fine. I quadruple checked the jumper, it was correct. Not really sure what the problem was, but all is well that ends well. Now, if this wether would turn around, maybe I'd get out one of these days and be able to post a report! |
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MINN KOTA MAXXUM TROUBLE