Minn Kota Powerdrive 65 24V Problems Please Help

[Tdubbs24]

I just purchased a used (i believe 2004 model) 65 lb thrust, 60" shaft, 24V Powerdrive with Autopilot, Copilot, and Universal Sonar. Two Problems:

First, it vibrates VERY bad during most speeds. If i point the motor straight, turn the speed to say "6" or so, it vibrates acceptably but still rough. Then as I turn the motor to the left or right it goes nuts. Could a bent shaft cause this? Because the head tilts when its turned left or right like a bent shaft would. This is installed on a 1650 Fish Hawk.

Second, When I tried AP the first time it didnt work. THe water was glass, no wind or anything. I got the boat going straight and pressed the AP button. The motor went nuts and swung all the way left and the all the way right, so I shut it off. I waited a while and tried it again, this time it kept turning left and tried to do a complete circle. THe batteries were fully charged. When I got home I tried it out of the water to show the neighbor, but when I pressed the button it didnt go nuts. Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Minn Kota Powerdrive 65 24V Problems Please Help

As for the vibration, manually turn the prop and watch the end of the prop shaft for wobble. I suspect the prop shaft is bent. If it seems to run true, examine the blades carefully. If one seems warped or damaged in any way, that may be the cause. As for erratic steering (AP off), a bent shaft should not cause that. Besides, the shaft is a composite and its either broken or not. Make sure the electrical connection between the foot pedal and the motor is clean and fully engaged. If there is momentary contact in that connector that would account for steering issues. I can't offer much help with the AP function other than to clean the "window" and contact MinnKota customer service. Perhaps if you solve the steering issue with AP off, the steering issue with AP on will disappear. MinnKota PD's have had some issues with foot pedals so perhaps that's the problem. If you have a friend with a PD, see if you can use his to test your motor.

 

[Tdubbs24]

Re: Minn Kota Powerdrive 65 24V Problems Please Help

As for the vibration, manually turn the prop and watch the end of the prop shaft for wobble. I suspect the prop shaft is bent. If it seems to run true, examine the blades carefully. If one seems warped or damaged in any way, that may be the cause. As for erratic steering (AP off), a bent shaft should not cause that. Besides, the shaft is a composite and its either broken or not. Make sure the electrical connection between the foot pedal and the motor is clean and fully engaged. If there is momentary contact in that connector that would account for steering issues. I can't offer much help with the AP function other than to clean the "window" and contact MinnKota customer service. Perhaps if you solve the steering issue with AP off, the steering issue with AP on will disappear. MinnKota PD's have had some issues with foot pedals so perhaps that's the problem. If you have a friend with a PD, see if you can use his to test your motor.

Heres the kicker on the vibration. If I turn on the motor while its out of the water(boat on trailer) I can turn it in any direction and at any speed and it wont vibrate, resonate, or act wierd so im guessing its not an internal balance or bent motor-shaft problem.

In doing more research, I found that the AP will duplicate this condition if the shaft is not within 5 degrees of perfect vertical. Can anyone else back this up? If the shaft is bent, it sounds like it would be causing the AP problems which makes sense because if I use AP while the motor is out of the water it doesnt go nuts(due to the fact there is no force,water, pushing back against the motor causing it to become not vertical).

Also note that at no time have I been using a foot pedal to drive this thing, I've been using Copilot only.

Maybe I mis-stated a steering problem before but it does not have erratic steering with the AP off. I meant if you are driving with AP off and try to turn, the vibration gets worse. The erratic steering only happens when I attempt to use AP.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Minn Kota Powerdrive 65 24V Problems Please Help

The shaft has to be within 5? of vertical for the AP to work properly. That is in the manual if you got one with it.

 

[Tdubbs24]

Re: Minn Kota Powerdrive 65 24V Problems Please Help

The shaft has to be within 5? of vertical for the AP to work properly. That is in the manual if you got one with it.

Must be my problem then, thanks!

Anyone have a manual for one of these things? PDF file or scan in? I never received one where I purchased the motor.

Anyone know if I can order a replacement shaft?

 

[Tdubbs24]

Re: Minn Kota Powerdrive 65 24V Problems Please Help

Just wanted to give a plug out for Minn Kotas GREAT customer service

I just called looking for some troubleshooting ideas and all he would reply with was "take it to a service center". I tried to explain that I am not in reasonable driving distance of one and was wondering if he could help me diagnose and he replied that a service center would need to look at it to determine the cause.

Great Job Guys! Keep it up!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Minn Kota Powerdrive 65 24V Problems Please Help

The vibration is now beginning to make sense and what I feel is happening, is the AP is trying to compensate for the fact that the shaft is not within 5 degrees of vertical. It turns the motor slightly which puts the shaft back into almost proper alignment, only to lose its track again so the oscillation sets up. Get the motor vertical, and try lowering it more so the head is closer to the mount. I'll bet the unit will work fine as the higher the head is from the mount, the more pronounced any misalignment will be.