Motorguide W75 wireless - disassembling and where is the antenna ?

[donberry]

Motorguide Wireless W75 - does anyone happen to know where the antenna is for receiving the signals from the controls ?
Also, wondering if anyone happens to know if there is a service manual online anyway ? Or better yet maybe a web site about disassembling the motor ?
Yes, I understand it voids the warranty - just having some thoughts and am interested in finding this info.
Seems like you would just remove the bolts to disassemble the motor itself, but i would rather be 100% sure before i actually did something like that.
So why would i want to do that ? I have really bad interference with my sonar and I need to run a ground to my case. Due to the mount, running a wire down the column is not the easiest thing to do, at least neatly. So was thinking maybe i could run the wire down thru the column. I just put a new longer column on mine and it was really, really hard to get the old one off because of the sealant they use (yes, i used a heat gun). I doubt I could remove the new one without marring it up pretty good, so after seeing it about a Minn Kota, am thinking if i could disassemble the motor, I could run a wire down the column and then pull the wire thru the shaft....making a much neater installation of the ground wire.

The antenna - I have a 19' fish and ski. Apparently the remote is pretty much line of sight. When the back of my seat in the bow is up the signal does not reach the motor. Works better with the seat down, but even then if I am sitting in the helm, that seat is lower then the bow seat so the bow seat still gets in the way many times. Not normally a huge problem, but a couple of times I almost rammed a dock because I was cruising close, shooting under them, and when i hit the buttons it didn't see the signal.;
Not a definite yet, but was thinking maybe i could add a little external antenna. just thinking out loud.
thanks for any info

 

[John_S]

Re: Motorguide W75 wireless - disassembling and where is the antenna ?

Older models, like mine, have a short, stubby antenna coming out of the control board. Latter models are internal on the circuit board. While they are not line of site, the range is not that far. Try replacing battery in the remote first. Keyfob or footpedal? I use two keyfobs. I usually have a person sitting in the seat to "shoot thru". It has only been a problem when the batteries were weak.

Boat dot com has the most schematics and parts. Looks like service manual is $25 and parts manual is $18.

Before trying to run that internal wire, test it externally. No sense having all that "fun" if it doesn't improve the issue. Also, if you are grounding the trolling motor case around the control board, and you have an alum boat, you can end up with a resistive ground tied back to the starter battery, through motor. If you do that, then a good ground between the trolling and starter batteries should be used (if you don't already have one).

 

[donberry]

Re: Motorguide W75 wireless - disassembling and where is the antenna ?

motor was a factory refurbished (saved about $150.00 and had same warranty as new), but I bought the hand remote separate so figured the batteries were good. I guess who knows how long it has been sitting on the shelf tho - will replace the battery today.

Yes, i will see if the ground wire is my problem 1st. I am really lazy, just ask my wife, so if i do not have to go thru that, would rather not. Since yours shoots thru your seat with someone sitting in it, sounds like a new battery might take care of that. I need to get some spares to keep on the boat anyway.
Boat is a 19' fiberglass fish and ski

I did run a fused ground from cranking battery to the t.m. negative. Also, was not 100% sure about this, but I also ran a ground from the t.m negative to the engine block ?