Need help with old trolling motor

[jomontes]

I have a White Stores, Inc Sea Hawk Model 0430 12VDC trolling motor. I don't know you really made it for White Stores. It has three speeds, a rotary switch for off, low, medium and high and a rocker switch for forward, off, and reverse. Anyhow I lost low and medium speeds on my last fishing trip. High is fine. I suspect the medium speed resistor failed open. Where are the resistors located? They are not in the upper control housing. Are they in the shaft or inside the motor? Can anyone help?

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Need help with old trolling motor

I doubt they are resistors controlling the speed. It is probably a rheostat and since they require mechanical linkage it is probably right behind the switch. One of the sets of windings could be burnt or maybe just dirty.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Need help with old trolling motor

actually.........a lot of trolling motors do use resistors........not sure when that became the fashion or whether its true in this case..........on my late-80's motorguide they're in the powerhead - which I found out on mikesreelrepair.com - they've got MG and MK schematics - won't help jo much tho, but they do have a forum, and mike is pretty good about answering questions & trying to help - don't know if his expertise extends to yours. wish I could help.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Need help with old trolling motor

Most of the newer ones do but I don't think his does. In fact now that I think a little more it may just be a switch going to different windings on the motor. I'd like to see that old puppy.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Need help with old trolling motor

They are called speed coils (wire wound resistors) and are located in the motor housing. Hi speed works because its a direct feed to the motor. While it could be the switch, that's not usually the case. You can bypass the switch and put +12V on each of the terminals. If the motor runs, the switch is bad. If not, the speed coils are open.

 

[jomontes]

Re: Need help with old trolling motor

Thanks Silvertip, Can I break into the motor and replace the speed coils? Are they replaceable? I also stuck a wire down the shaft and there is something in there - it didn't reach the motor. By any chance can they be in the shaft?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Need help with old trolling motor

Speed coils are located in the motor because they get hot. I have no idea what you bumped into in the shaft but if I were to guess, it would be a rubber plug through which the wires passed. In other words a seal to prevent water from getting into the motor housing through the shaft. Speed coils can be replaced but the problem might be finding the replacements.