Dead Minn Kota Maxxum 74

[bluewingjb]

This morning while fishing my Minn Kota up and died. The batteries are good, I am headed to get a new multimeter as my old one died. Anybody else ever have a similar type problem and what should I look for? The first things I plan on checking is the foot pedal switch, on/off/variable switch and the wires to the electronic board under the foot control along with making sure there is good power at the plug receptacle. Any help will be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[kthomas65]

one thing to check is brakers at the batterys and if thats not it check and see if theres any fishing line on the motor shaft.

 

[bluewingjb]

The lines from the batteries are in great shape and no line around the prop. When I hit the power switch I also put a hand on the motor itself and can feel nothing. I feel like its either a wire that has an internal break or the board in the foot control.

 

[rodbuilder2]

DOUBLE CHECK THE BREAKER AT THE BATTRIES ( BEEN THERE DONE THAT)

 

[stripeking]

I had a 74 do the same thing, I'd first check to see if the breaker had tripped if not then it may be the circuit board in the foot control thats what mine ended up being it was working fine trolling down the bank then hit the button and nada, took the foot pedal loose and the bottom plate was so hot you couldn't touch it carried it up to John Swallows had me going in about 15 minutes. Thats just my senerio anyway.

 

[hippi97]

Make sure the switch on the side of the foot control hasen`t got bumped to off.

 

[mjwendorf]

Happened to us last night. Pulled up to our first spot dropped the trolling motor and nothing. Found out that the circuit board is fried.

 

[bluewingjb]

I figure it is going to be the circuit board, as the I know the batteries have juice as I run one of my sonar units off them and I picked off the hot wire at the back of the receptacle where the troll motor plugs in so I know I have juice to that point. If it is the circuit board in the foot unit where should I take it to get repaired and how much am I looking at spending?? Thanks to all of you for all the help and advice. Also when you mention checking the breaker where should I look for it?? I have a 2000 Sprint 207DC and as far as I can tell the wires for the troll motor run directly from the battery to the receptacle.

 

[TKbigbass]

Same thing happened to mine about a year ago. Circuit board was fried, had to order a new board about $250.Thereplacement comes with pretty much everything in the foot control right down to theon/off button.You can replace it yourself in about an hour.</p>

If John Swallows is back to work he will know for sure how to fix it. When mine quit I was out of town fishing West Point lake and the guy from Nutter (can't remember his name) told me what to check via phone while I was still on the lake and Fed Ex'd the parts to me the next day. You can reach Nutter Rod & Reel Service a Minn Kota warranty/service center at 770-386-3978.</p>

 

[bluewingjb]

I was hoping the board wasnt that costly but what can you do. I am surprised there isnt someone who can repair the boards, they look like just a relay and a couple of resisters or capacitors.

 

[bluewingjb]

Ok so thanks to my training in the US Navy on the proper use of a multimeter I found a bad connection on the circuit board in the foot controller. Works perfect now. While I was doing my trouble shooting I did notice a problem on the design though. The way the circuit board is mounted the connections could make contact with the metal base plate at the bottom of the foot control unit causing a short, which would explain a too hot to touch bottom of the foot pedal control. They do have a very thin piece of clear plastic on the plate where the circuit board is but after time you could see where it would wear thin and or tear providing no insulation from the metal plate. The way I solved this was to install two rubber washers between the circuit board and the bottom of the plate where the mounting screws are. This lifted the contacts and whole circuit board about a 1/16th to 3/32nds of an inch above the plate thus keeping the contacts from even hitting the plastic insulation piece. If you have any questions feel free to ask. Another solution could have been to install another piece of the plastic film but I wanted to just keep the contacts from even touching the plastic at all. I tested the motor after and it works great. Thanks to everyone for all your help and suggestions.

 

[stripeking]

Glad you got the problem solved. Thats a good idea about the washers think i'm going to go downstairs and fix mine right now.

 

[bluewingjb]

Update on the washers, DO NOT do it. By installing them you prevent the heat sink connection from the circuit card and the plate which helps dissipate the heat from the circuit. I am just going to add another piece of the plastic paper, its like laminate paper, on the bottom.