Minn kota Power Drive question

[albaystealth]

Started having trouble with my Minn-Kota Power Drive 2006 model after I replaced both batteries. I have four wires coming from the troll two red and two black. Unlike other wiring set ups this has no jumper. It runs but with half strength. I have checked and cleaned all the connections at the batteries. Any ideas what I have to check next or what I have done wrong. Thanks for any help. - AL

 

[Martian]

Re: Minn kota Power Drive question

well I am no expert by any means so what I have is a gut feeling of what it is.....you have a 24v system (thats my guess):

before: batteries were hooked up in sequence = 24v full power
after: batteries were hooked up in parallel = 12v +double current capacity but 1/2 power.

Martian.

 

[albaystealth]

Re: Minn kota Power Drive question

I have changed the connections several times with no difference. How do you hook it up back in sequence with two red and two black?

 

[Martian]

Re: Minn kota Power Drive question

Before something gets blowed up real good get the manual for that motor out.
Posting all the relevant specs here would help too:

Make, model, manual, 24v or 12v?, lbs thrust (not really important)

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Minn kota Power Drive question

The problem is NOT the motor. It is the wiring in the boat. Whenever a boat is fitted with two pairs of wires (one (pair from each battery) it means those four wires go up front to a switch/receptacle panel at the bow. That panel will have a 12/24/Run/Charge switch on it. The reason it is wired that way is 1) it provides for both 12 and 24 volt motors, and 2) it allows charging both batteries through the trolling motor receptacle. The switch is what breaks the series connection (24 volts) and parallels the two batteries (12 volts) for 12 volt operation or charging. You need to stop playing with connections at the batteries. One red and one black per battery period. No jumpers involved. Set the switch at the bow to RUN. Then check the receptacle for 24 volts.

 

[albaystealth]

Re: Minn kota Power Drive question

Silvertip thanks for the tip. I was not aware of a switch there...can't wait to check out..thanks again!

 

[albaystealth]

Re: Minn kota Power Drive question

Silvertip, just checked and no switch. Just the plug in for trolling motor and the trim buttons...

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Minn kota Power Drive question

What size trolling motor is it?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Minn kota Power Drive question

OK -- no switch panel. Then you must have a Marinco plug with four terminals in it. It is that plug that makes the 24 volt series connection. Go to the Marinco web site for plug connections. If you messed with wires at the battery you will likely have a miswired system.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Minn kota Power Drive question

Still need to know what exactly is being wired up. It sounds like he use to have an old 12/24 motor and has replaced it with a newer one. But does the newer one require 12 or 24 volts to operate? For MKs (2006 models) 55lb and lower operate on 12V. Over 55 are 24 or 36 volt systems.

 

[albaystealth]

Re: Minn kota Power Drive question

I think have got it down to the plug. Going to try changing the plug.

 

[albaystealth]

Re: Minn kota Power Drive question

Changed the plug and BINGO! Success!! Thanks for you guys help!