Trolling Motor Life

[OptsyEagle]

Hello all, really like the forum.

I have acquired a MinnKota Turbo 35, 27lb thrust motor. I am planning on running it with a 70Ah deep cycle battery.

My question is. How long does one of these motors tend to last? The outboard I am using is 31 years old and runs like it is brand new, but I don't know about electric motors. I know mine has not been built since 1999 so it is at least 8 years old, but how much more use can one expect.

Also, is there any general maintenance things one can do to extend their life and when they break down, what are the usual things (brushings, seals, etc.).

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trolling Motor Life

Like anything else, how long it lasts depends on how it's used, how often it's used, and how long it's used each outing. It's an electric motor so other things may break before the motor itself dies. There is no maintenance other than removing the prop periodically to check for fish line wrapped around the shaft that can tear up the seal. Other than that, reasonable care should allow it to run for years unless its abused -- such as running it into rocks and stumps. There are few aftermarket suppliers of trolling motor parts so those will have to come from MinnKota or a salvage yard like Twin City Outboards or possibly the E-bay.

 

[JB]

Re: Trolling Motor Life

Silvertip is spot on.

There is one thing, though. Trolling motors with brushes can just wear out from use. They tend to be the cheaper ones.

Brushless DC motors don't have parts that wear and might last forever if the rest of the system doesn't break down. I think most of the Minn Kotas with modulated pulse control (maximizer) are brushless.

Either way, I have found that foot controllers break long before the motors do. I have repaired many foot controllers and never a motor itself.

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: Trolling Motor Life

I didn't know that they made brushless motors, that is a very useful invention. I mean with no moving parts (other than bearings) the motor should last forever. Very impressive.
I have read many problems with the foot controllers going bad. I guess parts for those can be found with the manufacturer at a cost....I wonder if sometimes more expensive is not always better. I mean I was raised to never buy the best things with the bells and whistles, it just gives you more things to break! That does make sense.