Trolling Mtr wear?

[bonzoscott]

Do trolling motors wear out? Of course they do, but mine has low hours. I would be surprised if it had 50 hrs on it. It's a minnkota 36 lbs thrust. Thing is, I loaned it to a friend, he was doing "Jug fishing" in a pond/lake. I went just to watch (not into Jug Fishing). It was a very light 10' jon boat. His way of movement was like popping the clutch on a muscle car! Just Flipping from Zero to Five constantly. My motor has never had the power it seemed to have before. I thought maybe the battery but the motor is weak at full charge (~13 volts). I know nothing about trolling motors. The one I had before was fine for 10 years or better. The clamp screw threads got messed up on it (only reason I bought new). I know the thing about loaning something out, but he's a great friend. How do you say NO? Any input?

 

[The Troll]

Re: Trolling Mtr wear?

Not knowing how old your 36# motor is I would think that the fast starts would have no effect on the performance of your motor. The switch in those units have been around for a long time and they are a good switch as long as they do not get over-heated. I would possibly look behind the prop and make sure that you did not gather any fishing line as that will cause your motor to seem weak (it takes a few feet of fishing line to accumulate behind your prop to cause a build-up and this makes the prop a little hard to turn.) As you turn your motor on, the prop shaft will push foward and this can compress the line,which makes the prop a little harder to turn. If you find no line behind your prop check all connections. If they are good then get the battery LOAD tested to make sure you do not have a battery problem. Also remember that cold weather ( not for sure if this is a factor in your area ) will cause a battery to loose some of its reserve. I probably get 20 or 30 units in a year for weak performance and half will have one or more of the issues above. Don't feel bad about telling your friend how you would like him to operate your trolling motor. If he does not like it.... next time hand him a sculling paddle...............................

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trolling Mtr wear?

Although your battery shows a full charge, it may have lost its ability to "hold" that charge so charge it up, then take it to any auto store and have it load tested. You could do this yourself if know how to use a voltmeter. Attach the meter to the battery, set the meter for reading 12 volts. With the motor off the battery will likely read 12.6 - 12.72 volts. Then set the motor to high speed (in the water so there is a load on it). Watch the meter. If the meter continues to drop at a fairly rapid rate the battery is dying. If the voltage holds up for several minutes before any drop is seen the battery is probably ok and there is an issue with the motor or the connections.

 

[bonzoscott]

Re: Trolling Mtr wear?

That's great input guys, thanks. The battery is a Delco deep cycle, approaching 2 years old. I have a meter and I will test it out. Do you think my buds method of use would have damaged the battery? Thanks again...

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Trolling Mtr wear?

The battery is a Delco deep cycle, approaching 2 years old.

2 years, it could be bad, charge it full then have it load tested. Even if it tests good, I think you'll find the battery is not holding a charge as well as a new battery, had that happen to me before. Store said it's OK, but wouldn't last on the water.

Do you think my buds method of use would have damaged the battery?

No, but old age, not charging it completely after usage or letting it sit discharged would.