1985 Motorguide Three - Questions???

[turtle1173]

Hi,<br /><br /> I was given this trolling motor (in the title). I know next to nothing about them. This is a 24 lb thrust and is foot controlled. My main question is about lining up the steering. When I mount it on my bow, how can I adjust the steering so that it will turn equal in both directions? It is not mounted yet but while playing with it on the ground it is turning way to the right but hardly any to the left. Is there a way to adjust this?? I appreciate any help you can offer me.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Shane

 

[norman158]

Re: 1985 Motorguide Three - Questions???

i have one of these motors and as far as i know there is no adjustment for right and left mine will turn 360deg. from right or left there is also no reverse on mine. the collar on the motor shaft locks the motor and slides in to a matching collar in the steering motor.

 

[turtle1173]

Re: 1985 Motorguide Three - Questions???

Is the collar adjustable? Also, what does the little dial on the top do?<br /><br />Shane

 

[norman158]

Re: 1985 Motorguide Three - Questions???

yes the collar on my motor is adjustable. it is used to set the depth of the motor in the water. i have no dial on the top of mine i have a chart for battery life at diffrent speeds is it a battery charge indicator?

 

[turtle1173]

Re: 1985 Motorguide Three - Questions???

I have a dial on the top that has a big arrow on it. I guess maybe it show's the direction of the prop. That's the best I can figure. I was just wondering if maybe it had some other purpose.<br /><br /> When I use the foot control on my motor it only turns about 90 degrees. You said that yours turns 360 degrees. What would be wrong with mine so that it would only turn 90??<br /><br />Shane

 

[norman158]

Re: 1985 Motorguide Three - Questions???

Shane do you have a reverse on your motor? mine has none the only way i can back the boat up is to turn it 180. with a reverse you would only need to turn about 90 deg.<br />the dial pointing motor direction makes sense

 

[turtle1173]

Re: 1985 Motorguide Three - Questions???

No, it doesn't have a reverse. I would feel better about it if it had reverse I think it will work OK if I press the foot pedal down faster. Then it will turn left. It's definitely not a "fine tuned" system. It will turn right 90 degrees just fine. If I just press the pedal down it will go completely straight. If I go from mid-way all the way down fast (with heel on ground) it will give me about 45 degrees left. Any more suggestions? I mounted it on my boat today. I'm going to try it out on Monday. This will be my first time out with an electric motor.<br /><br />Shane

 

[norman158]

Re: 1985 Motorguide Three - Questions???

no reverse, then i think it needs to go past 90deg.does the stearing motor just stop or does it try to keep going around? these take some getting used to on the water. 1 thing i learned was to make sure the main motor is straight otherwise you go across the water like a crab

 

[turtle1173]

Re: 1985 Motorguide Three - Questions???

No, it tries to go around more but the foot pedal is all the way to the floor (heel on the floor). It seems like there should be something to adjust that would fix this. Like I said though, if I push my heel to the floor with a little more force, it swings around to where it will go left. Of course, it may not swing around when it's in the water (ah oh, I hadn't thought of that!!)<br /><br />Shane

 

[mnmfors]

Re: 1985 Motorguide Three - Questions???

I believe that I had a trolling motor like that, mine had an arrow on the top. you can move the arrow to line up which way the motor is pushing you. I had the cover off of my motor, it has a steel gearin the center of the shaft, and a plastic strip with teeth. I think it was only 4 screws to take the cover off. I would try it in the water first, and if it doesnt turn correctly, would take that cover off to see if there is an adjustment available there.

 

[turtle1173]

Re: 1985 Motorguide Three - Questions???

I was wondering if maybe there is an adjustment on the foot control. Perhaps a linkage or something that would control the distance it turned or the amount of throw it had. I've been a little reserved to start taking it apart but I might have too.<br /><br />Shane

 

[turtle1173]

Re: 1985 Motorguide Three - Questions???

I thought I would update everyone on the situation with this trolling motor. I took the foot control apart yesterday afternoon. Anyway, there is a linkage that is adjustable in there. So I did what any "normal" man would do.....I adjusted it! I'm leaving here in an hour to go to the lake and try it out. I haven't had this boat out in 7 years. It was my Dad's and he gave it to me. I've fixed it all up (new floor and interior) and I've had the engine tuned up, so she should be ready to go. I'm excited about trying her out. I'll let you know how it turns out.<br /><br />Shane