Minn Kota trolling motor problem...

[brent4313]

I have a 55lb thrust Minn Kota trolling motor that will shut off if I run it at top speed for more than 4 or 5 minutes. I have to wait a couple of minutes and it will start running again but it will eventually die again. If I run it on speed 1-3 it generally won't die but occasionally it will. The problem occurs much more often at higher speeds. Has anyone else seen this happen?

FWIW I re-wired the entire trolling motor all the way back to the battery hoping it would help but it hasn't.

 

[brent4313]

Re: Minn Kota trolling motor problem...

This is a bow mount hand controlled trolling motor. Forward speeds 1-5 and reverse speeds 1-3.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Minn Kota trolling motor problem...

What size circuit breaker do you have in the positive lead at the battery. That's what is turning on and off. Have you removed the prop and checked for fish line wrapped tightly around the prop shaft. Makes the motor draw more current than normal. Maximum current is obviously drawn at maximum speed.

 

[brent4313]

Re: Minn Kota trolling motor problem...

I haven't taken the prop off but I will do that this evening and check for fishing line. I don't know what size the circuit breaker is but I'll check on that as well. What size should I have?

Thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Minn Kota trolling motor problem...

A 55# MinnKota draws about 50 amps but that's with stalled rotor. If the motor is running but dragging, it may be close to that number. A 40 amp breaker would be minimum with 50 amp preferred. And depending on the distance between the battery and the motor, wire size can be an issue. Long runs require 6AWG.

 

[brent4313]

Re: Minn Kota trolling motor problem...

Thank you for the information Silvertip. Would it be beneficial to post pictures of how I have it set up so someone could verify that things look ok as far how I've got things wired?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Minn Kota trolling motor problem...

Pictures always help but this is not rocket science. One terminal of the circuit breaker connects to the POS post of battery. Then a red wire runs from the other terminal on the breaker to the boat receptacle. The Black wire connects to the NEG post on the battery and the other end to receptacle. Red wire on motor plug must match the corresponding terminal on the receptacle. Same for black wire. Charge the battery and go fishing.