Motorguide trolling motor keeps shutting down

[nastyquedawg]

Purchased a 82lbs thrust 24v digital trolling motor last year. Sometimes when i turn the motor 3/4 power and run it at that speed for about 3 to 5 mins it just shuts off. I had the trolling motor checked out by a technician and he stated that there is a low voltage sensor that causes the motor to shutdown when there is low voltage. I was told to check the connections and load test the batteries. I found a lose connection on the wire connecting the 2 batteries together and replaced the connecters with screw on fittings. Went fishing tinight ran the motor off and on for about an hour then it shut off. Let it sit for a while, ran it about 3 minutes and it shut of again. Could it be the batteries? What else can i check before i take these batteries out and get them load tested? Thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Motorguide trolling motor keeps shutting down

What size circuit breaker do you have? Does this happen at slower speeds as well? A circuit breaker that has too low a rating cannot handle the current draw at high motor speeds so it opens. When it resets the motor works again. If low voltage is causing the problem then you need to have the batteries load tested at any auto store. Charge them first.

 

[nastyquedawg]

Re: Motorguide trolling motor keeps shutting down

I have a 50 amp circuit breaker. It only shuts down at high speeds

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Motorguide trolling motor keeps shutting down

Cheap $10 breaker or a good quality $40-50 breaker? Is the breaker an auto-reset or a manual reset? (It should be a manual reset.) If it's an auto-reset, that would explain why the TM is shutting off, then "magically" coming back on again.

When the TM shuts off, see if you have 24V across the batteries, past the breaker. Or, if there is 24V getting to the TM. If that breaker has been tripping a lot, it might be tripping at less than 50 amps.

What size wire is going from the batteries to the TM and how long is the wire run?

 

[fucawi]

Re: Motorguide trolling motor keeps shutting down

load testing the batteries ...charge them yes but let them stand for 24 hrs before you load test them or you will get a false reading. Your best bet is a small digital voltmeter across the batteries ..these are real cheap and when your 24v batt gets down to 21.6 its fully discharged and going lower will damage it . If your in line trip is not tripping and its the OD thats shutting it down then it sounds like batteries to me ...Does your motor have some sort of built in power meter/voltmeter ?

 

[nastyquedawg]

Re: Motorguide trolling motor keeps shutting down

I have a $50 manual reset circuit breaker. I'm using 6 gauge wire. The breaker does not trip when the motor shuts down. It just stops working, sits for a while and starts working again.

 

[nastyquedawg]

Re: Motorguide trolling motor keeps shutting down

No my motor does not have a built in voltmeter

 

[fucawi]

Re: Motorguide trolling motor keeps shutting down

whilst it is sitting your batteries are recovering hence it goes again for a short time

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Motorguide trolling motor keeps shutting down

How old is it? Is it a Wireless model? If it is you may need a new control module, easy to install yourself.

 

[fucawi]

Re: Motorguide trolling motor keeps shutting down

Keep it simple ..check the batteries..if you want a simple test just put a headlight bulb on the fully charged battery and see how long it takes to drop to 10.8v ....5 x No hours is a very rough amp hour capacity ..compare with the specification.....if its only 30 -50% you have your answer...

 

[John_S]

Re: Motorguide trolling motor keeps shutting down

I assume that using a voltmeter and tracing a volatage drop down is not something you are comfortable with. OK, so that pretty much leaves process of ellimination. Lets assume the tech knows his stuff, and did adiquite testing, and the motor is "good".

If you are hitting a low voltage condition in only 3-5 minutes on 3/4 speed, you should have noticed a drastic speed change over those few minutes. If it is the batteries, they're toast. I wouldn't try second guessing other issues. Just pull them and have them tested.

Connections: After finding that loose one, did you check all the rest? Loose battery connections are rather easy to find. Corrosion in a connector is not. Everyone needs to be visually inspected. Green or white powder in the connection or wire strands is corrosion. Start at positive wire, and follow to motor disconnect plug. BTW, what kind of disconnect plug do you have? Some are notorious for issues. Follow the negative side back, and also check the motor side connections. Don't forget the breaker connections. If solder connections were used, inspect them to see the solder has flowed well. That size wire, takes allot of heat and have seen cold solder joints from diy installs.

OK, back to the motor. I haven't heard about a "low voltage" sensor in trolling motors. I doubt that my MG Wireless has one, but have caused a "trip" by running aground at high speed. Pressing the speed control would provide the normal auduble beeps, but no propeller motion. Unplugging it from power and immediate replugging would reset it and would be fine. If that doesn't reset it on your unit, and you have to wait, leads back to wiring, batteries, or CB.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Motorguide trolling motor keeps shutting down

HE DID SAY 1 NIGHT HE RAN IT ON & OFF for a hour. Did not have any problems till after the hour.

Check the batteries. Both should be changed at the same time. Other wise you WILL overcharge the new battery & start ruining it.

Load testing.
Shutting down at high speeds IS DEFINATELY WEAK batteries. Or you have a BAD charger. Get a REAL BATTERY person that can check the charger & the batteries............Not usually more than 1 in a 50 mile area. Good luck.

 

[nastyquedawg]

Re: Motorguide trolling motor keeps shutting down

Batteries were load tested and checked out fine. I plan on rechecking all the connections again. Someone asked what type of plug I have. It's a bass pro Plug and receptacle with 8 gauge wire. The remaining wires and connections I'm using 6 gauge wire.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Motorguide trolling motor keeps shutting down

So we now do a.... COMPLETE.....test of .....EVERY ......wire connection that carries motor current. INCLUDING THE WIRES.


You will NEED A DRIVER to do the checks. You will be too busy ......FEELING ....EVERY.....connection of the heavy current wires.

Driver holds 3/4 throttle while you start feeling ALL connections every few minutes.

I have opened up the insides of the trolling motors GUTS. LOTS of parts to cause this problem. Including the motors BEARINGS seizing up during heavy prop loads. You can not feel the heat from a seized bearing by the time you lift the motor out of the water.
BUT If you are real quick lifting it out. Lift it up.....Quickly seperate the power plug fpr safety......Try to turn the prop. More drag than before the motor ran ?

BINGO Needs bearing or both bearings. Change both. Good idea to have a shop do that job.

If none of the above fixes it.....................You have a FACTORY REJECT of a variable speed control. Send the whole setup back while it is still new enough to be repaired FREE OF CHARGE. Even if it has gone out of warrenty.

 

[glfishwi]

I have a Motorguide Varimax 55lb thrust wired with handle control. Has worked well for many years. This year, on 3 or 4 occasions, it will simply stop turning. Turning it off/on or unplugging it has no affect.

It seems to reset itself after about 7 or 8 minutes and then it starts working again. The motor shows full battery/power, so, it is not the breaker I have on the battery. Battery is fully charged.

Anyone aware of some type of "overheating" or breaker component in these that will act up after years of use?

Today, it ran fine for about 90 minutes. Shut off for 7 minutes. Ran again for about 10 minutes. Shut off again for 7 minutes or so. Then, ran fine for the next couple hours.