Can someone please help!!!

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Aug 10, 2001
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I have a small (electric)trolling motor that will only go in one direction without changing the wires on the switch. I am not sure what is causing it but the switches are new. The motor will work on all speeds, and the motor will go in the other direction when the wires are reversed. Can you provide me with any insight on what is going on. The information that is on the motor is as follows:<br /> <br />5700 47329<br />Motor Guide (Brave)<br />18lb thrust
 

JB

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Re: Can someone please help!!!

Howdy, Lost. I don't remember if I have ever used an electric that was reversible. <br /><br />I don't remember if I have ever used an electric that couldn't be rotated at least 180 degrees to reverse direction. <br /><br />Are you sure your motor is supposed to change directions??<br /><br />Good Luck.<br />JB
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Re: Can someone please help!!!

JB<br />The switch(s) that are on it are for 3 different speeds and (2) different directions. Although one side of the direction switch will not cooperate. I guess the wires are right on it, but not sure since it was given to me after someone else already failed with it.... If you have any ideas please send em my way.
 

JB

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Re: Can someone please help!!!

Okay, then. Let's fix it.<br /><br />To reverse a shunt wound DC motor, we must reverse polarity on either the field or the armature, but not both. (You need to reverse their polar orientation to each other.)<br /><br />I'm going to guess that your speed selector switch varies the current to the field and that the direction switch applies power to both the field and armature, except that it reverses the armature polarity in reverse direction. (This would be SO easy to explain with a picture!!)<br /><br />Right. Now, I need more detail on symptoms: You have said that everything works correctly in Foreward. Good. What, exactly and in detail, happens when you ask it to reverse? Also please describe the direction switch in detail. . .number and locations of connections, colors of wires attached, etc. Finally, do you have a multimeter and know how to use it?<br /><br />My suspicion is that the switch is either no good or is wired incorrectly. <br /><br />Standing by.<br />JB
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Re: Can someone please help!!!

JB<br />First off, THANKS for your help!! I Have tried to determine all the info I can at this time (hope it helps) Everything works with the direction switch is in the Fwd positon. There is a greeen wire that leads toward the motor that I assume controls the forward position and there is a jumper wire that jumps over to the speed switch. When the green wire and jumper wire are reversed and the direction switch is still in the Fwd position, it will go in the other direction. When the switch is in the Rev position nothing happens no matter how the wires are. <br />When the speed switch is used it does vary the speed of the propellor so I know it is working as it should be. <br /> <br />The direction switch consists of the following:<br />1. The pos & neg leads from the batt<br />2. A med size green wire (leading to motor)<br />3. A med size white jumper wire to the speed switch.<br /><br />The speed selector switch consists of the following:<br />1. The med size white wire leading to the direction switch.<br />2. A med size red wire leading to motor<br />3. A small blue wire leading to motor<br />4. A small yellow wire leading to motor.<br /><br />I hope this will give you some idea of what we are looking at. I have a volt meter, and can use it but not knowing how the motor works and why, that doesnt help much. If all else fails, I have access to a digital camera when I return to work on Monday and can take a pic and send to you if needed.<br /><br />Thanks a million<br />Lostinthewater
 

JB

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Re: Can someone please help!!!

Sorry, Lost. My firstborn turned 45 yesterday and in preparing a celebration feast for three generations I lost track of some of the threads I was working.<br /><br />Let's focus on the direction switch. Do any of the four wires you listed share a terminal, or does each have its own?<br /><br />For each position of the direction switch (F-OFF-R?), with power off, measure resistance through the switch from the + battery lead to each of the green and white wires, then from the - battery lead to each of them.<br /><br />When you switched wires on the switch to get reverse, was it the green and white wires or the battery leads that you switched?<br /><br />If I have this figured correctly, when the switch is OFF you will find infinite resistance(open) from the battery leads to both green and white leads. When in Forward each will connect to one of the output leads (G & W) and when in Reverse the connections SHOULD reverse, but wont because the switch is bad. If they DO reverse we need to look deeper into the motor itself.<br /><br />Standing by.<br />Red sky at night. . . <br />JB
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Re: Can someone please help!!!

JB<br />Congrats on the celebration yesterday!! <br />All four leads are on a terminal by themselves. When I get the motor to go in the other direction, I can do it by reversing the green and white wire on the switch or by reversing the polarity on the battery end. ( I guess both are doing the same). <br />I am at work now, when I get home after 6:00 p.m. eastern time I will work with the switch according to what you sent and we can take it from there.<br />I will take the digital camera with me, and take some pics just in case we need them<br /><br />Thx<br />Lost
 
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Re: Can someone please help!!!

JB<br />The results I got with the ohm meter are as follows:<br />From the pos side of the direction switch with the switch in the FWD position to the white jumper I have continuity. From the same lead to the green wire I have continuity.<br />From the neg side with the switch in FWD position to the white jumper I have continuity,and also have continuity on the green wire. I tried all 4 terminals on the speed switch and have continuity.<br /><br />With the switch in the REV position I Do not have continuity on either the green wire or the white wire. None of the four wires for the speed switch have continuity with the<br />switch in this position.<br /><br />I think it is the switch, but not sure. Let me know what you think!!<br /><br />Thx<br />Lost
 

JB

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Re: Can someone please help!!!

Yep, Lost, you have a bad switch. On one of the other topics you posted is a link that should put you in touch with a place to order a new one.<br /><br />Good luck.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . . <br />JB
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