trolling motor problems...help

[areelguy]

I have a 45 lb minnkota motor that keeps blowing a fuse when I trurn the foot pedal up to #5 the top speed. It is fine on speeds 1-4 bit blows on speed 5.

Any thoughts????

 

[Aries 181]

Sounds like a short in the switch to me. John Swallows would know for sure. His # is 336-5438.

HTH,
Bill

 

[beetlespin]

Beetlespin logic says to get a bigger fuse!

 

[Luketrician]

installing a bigger fuse will make your boat a fire hazard. You have a short in the switch...and the fault current is blowing the fuse, thus protecting your wire.

 

[ole blue]

Give John Swallows a call

 

[beetlespin]

If it is the breaker kicking it might just be loose connections. My last boat started throwing the breaker a lot and when I took it apart one wire was just hanging there. I tightened it up and it never did it again.

 

[hl&s]

It could also be the motor. The highest current (amp) requirement on the electrical components occurs on high. The fuse/circuit breaker may handle the load on lower speeds but blow/trip when high is selected if the load surpasses the rating. Turn the foot pedal over and inspect for discolored/burnt wiring or melted/brittle insulation. Make sure the prop turns free and there is nothing, fishing line/grass, wrapped around the shaft. If you know how to use an amp gauge you can hook it in series with the power wire and measure the current draw to identify the problem.

 

[mmarcum6]

Beetlespin is correct a loose wire causes the current draw to increase dramatically. That is the first thing to check if the system has been working correctly in the past. Check the motor as also previously stated for fishing line and to be free turning. If this problem started and then you replaced the fuse the first time and then it got worse all of a sudden then the wrong fuse may have been installed after the first time making the problem significantly worse. Fuses are rated in three different ways. The first is maximum voltage they will interrupt safely, second is the current they are rated for say for example 20 Amps , Third is a calculated time delay that they can withstand the maximum current before they blow. Some fuses are classified as instentanious and will blow as soon as the current reaches the labeled current of the fuse. When you start or increase the speed of any motor the current or Amps will ramp up almost 6 plus times what the motor is rated for running full load. Check all the previously mention things and if you have not found a solution or have questions send me a PM and I will help any way I can. The other gentlemen have gave you a great starting point from experience and most likely their recomendations will give you a solution