Minnkota Trolling Motor

[Mr. Pike]

Was out this weekend and I noticed that I couldn't steer my older Minnkota Power Drive trolling motor with the foot pedal. It would still throttle up though, but I had to turn the motor by hand if I want to go in a certain direction. Do you think it could be the foot pedal or the power board in the motor? Here's a place that tests the pedals.

https://motorclinic.com/

 

[Kentucky Windage]

My advice would be to borrow a pedal from someone else and test it. Then go from there

 

[Allen]

I am guessing if it's a really old model, you have simply worn out the contact strips in the foot pedal. I've seen it done.

 

[Allen]

Actually, now that I think about it, it was the throttle that wore out on my old PD.

 

[NDwalleyes]

Check and clean the contacts where the foot pedal plugs into the trolling motor. When I ran that unit and would loose my steering, that was the problem.

 

[Mr. Pike]

Motor guide makes a wireless model. I wonder if they're any good.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/mot...BQKqePoalc6jnJTmIQYaAuLfEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Mr. Pike]

According to this bloke, you're not suppose to wrap the cord around the foot pedal when you store it. I've been doing this for years.

 

[Slappy]

After cleaning and trying another foot pedal as suggested, consider it may be the steering motor. Had one go out on an old Terrova and the thrust worked fine but obviously wouldn't steer. Relatively inexpensive part. Repair was a pain but manageable.

 

[Mr. Pike]

It's completely dead. Tried cleaning the battery connections and bought a new fuse for it. Nothing. It's a 2006 model. Time for a new one.

 

[Mr.Mike]

I have an older 24V Powerdrive sitting on the shelf if you're interested. $200
Works fine, I just upgraded.

 

[Mr. Pike]

I have an older 24V Powerdrive sitting on the shelf if you're interested. $200
Works fine, I just upgraded.

Don't have room up front for 2 batteries.

 

[espringers]

They don't generally go "completely dead". That sounds odd.

 

[Allen]

I really, really wish I could convert you to an Ulterra, but those SOB's are basically a rental agreement rather than a buy and forget it operation.

 

[mikef]

It's completely dead. Tried cleaning the battery connections and bought a new fuse for it. Nothing. It's a 2006 model. Time for a new one.

It’s hard to get parts for sure

 

[NDSportsman]

I really, really wish I could convert you to an Ulterra, but those SOB's are basically a rental agreement rather than a buy and forget it operation.

Curious why you say that?

 

[LBrandt]

I have a foot pedal control some where for a 2008 that I dont use after changing to remote. LB

 

[Allen]

Curious why you say that?

With all the Minnkotas I've owned before the Ulterra, I have had two trips to the repair shop for a PowerDrive that kept starting on fire. Now I run an Ulterra and you can pretty much assure yourself after the "newness" wears off that you will be into the repair shop annually for something that will cost around $450. Mine is a 2016 model and it's been in the shop 4 times in the past 5 years. Granted, one of those was operator error when the boy rammed it into the trailer, but still...

The Ulterra gets high grades from me with regard to features, but it's a touchy biatch.

 

[NDSportsman]

With all the Minnkotas I've owned before the Ulterra, I have had two trips to the repair shop for a PowerDrive that kept starting on fire. Now I run an Ulterra and you can pretty much assure yourself after the "newness" wears off that you will be into the repair shop annually for something that will cost around $450. Mine is a 2016 model and it's been in the shop 4 times in the past 5 years. Granted, one of those was operator error when the boy rammed it into the trailer, but still...

The Ulterra gets high grades from me with regard to features, but it's a touchy biatch.

Maybe got a lemon? I have a 2015 and so far zero issues.........and now I've done it lol

 

[Dryfly36]

Maybe got a lemon? I have a 2015 and so far zero issues.........and now I've done it lol

Not a lemon. I know two people that have sold their Ulterras, due to constant problems with them. One had a board go out this spring and on Memorial day the stow belt broke. The other person had a board problem. Both have gone to Terrovas. My Vantage is back in the shop for a second time. Last August and now. Minnkota doesn't seem to have luck with the auto stowing featured motors.

 

[701FishSlayer]

Do the new Ulterras come with problems also or did they get the bugs worked out?