Removing a lower unit on a trolling motor?

[Angleiron]

Of all the things that I have done with boats, removing a lower unit from a trolling motor has not been one of them. I have a 24V OMC trolling motor that might have a problem with the lower unit, and in order to check a few things out I need to remove the lower unit.

The problem I have been having has been my 24V motor has only operating at 12V's. Batteries are fine, as I measure 24V's with the trolling on just past the plug...so that is not the problem. I measure 12V's within the head of the unit, and when I put the thrust at full power there is 0V's being read.

I had a spare motor, so I changed out the PCM (pulsed control module) that is within the pedal last fall and everything worked as it should. This past weekend while on the water I found that the thrust dropped out again, and when I got back to my house I measured the voltage and I was back at
12V's again.

Last fall I went looking, and I found what was probably the last available PCM for my trolling motor...and it was new in the box...so I have the part but I need to make sure that there are no other issues that can be causing the PCM to over heat and fail...as once this PCM is gone that is it.

I am open to suggestions on other things to check, but if you have info on how to remove the lower unit pleas share. It is an 80's OMC motor, 24V, 56lb thrust, variable speed.

Thanks!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Removing a lower unit on a trolling motor?

Why remove the lower unit from the shaft. Only the wires run down the shaft. You "disassemble" the lower unit. Remove the prop, remove the hardware that secures the housing together and pull out the guts. Removing the shaft gains you nothing (except perhaps a leak).

 

[Angleiron]

Re: Removing a lower unit on a trolling motor?

Why remove the lower unit from the shaft. Only the wires run down the shaft. You "disassemble" the lower unit. Remove the prop, remove the hardware that secures the housing together and pull out the guts. Removing the shaft gains you nothing (except perhaps a leak).

I cannot find anyone who sells just the armature...only the complete lower unit. So if I go this route then I will need to pull the lower unit. I think it is threaded, and held in place somewhat with a set screw...was just looking to confirm this.