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Ive got a PIV with a Maxxum 80 on it. Ive noticed lately that Im getting a noticeable knocking when using the motor. I came off the lake and pulled off the prop. The prop looks fine and there was no debris around the shaft. When I run the motor in the garage, the shaft appears straight and theres no knocking. Any idea whats happening or how to fix it?
I ran into the same thing fishing last week on vacation. Jones Trolling Motor Service was very helpful in helping find the problem. Mine was the prop.
Make sure the skeg is in line with the shaft. This section of the motor case can turn when bumped. This can cause a knock. If thats the case, and you feel its too loose, remove the prop and tighten the two bolts a bit.
Thanks guys. Ive got a prop coming ups today to eliminate that as an issue. My prop looks ok to me, but could be slightly out of symmetry. Crankbaiter, I checked the skag and it was slightly off. As I found on YouTube, I loosened the bolts slightly, and with it running, made very slight adjustments until optimal skeg location was found, but that was only about 1/16th of an inch in rotation. Ill let you guys know what happens next.
cb2structural wrote:Thanks guys. Ive got a prop coming ups today to eliminate that as an issue. My prop looks ok to me, but could be slightly out of symmetry. Crankbaiter, I checked the skag and it was slightly off. As I found on YouTube, I loosened the bolts slightly, and with it running, made very slight adjustments until optimal skeg location was found, but that was only about 1/16th of an inch in rotation. Ill let you guys know what happens next.Dont follow the YouTube advice on “optimizing” the trolling motor. The trolling motor is designed with the brushes in the correct location for optimal performance (remember, performance isnt just running the fastest, it is also amp draw effected) from MinnKota or Motorguide. The guy on YouTube was just passing along information that is good for any electric motor, including starters. The brush position in relation to the fields/magnets can make it run faster or slower, but also effects the thrust (fastest isnt always the most) and electrical consumption. That being said, place the skeg in line with the shaft as it was designed from the manufacturer. As the original problem, could be a broke magnet, the ground wire rubbing the armature internally, bad prop, bad shear pin.JohnJones Trolling Motor Services870 773 3474Motorguide/MinnKota/PowerPole/Lowrance/Humminbird
Well guys, unfortunately, my problem was not the prop. My motor is still knocking. For completeness, so if anyone else has this issue in the future and pulls up this thread, the knock is like this…..k-k-k-k-k…….k…….k-k……and so on. I get a series of knocks, then just one, then a couple, then a series, etc. Worst at about 30 percent. Seems to go away at 60 percent or more. With my aba regional coming up, Im going to try and find a new motor Monday so that Im not over the barrel on waiting for a repair for this regional in 2 weeks, then, have this one fixed and keep it for a spare. Ill keep you guys updated as to what the repair is.
Take the top off the head and gently pull up on the black wire. If its the ground wire, this will clear it. Im assuming it has the same knock with the prop off and out of the water. Give me a call if I can help. I can also ship new motors to your door. It will go out the same day its ordered.JohnJones Trolling Motor Services870 773 3474Motorguide/MinnKota/PowerPole/Lowrance/Humminbird
My Motorguide started knocking yesterday, and it was the wire for my transducer. I taped it up tight and the knocking stopped.
Thank you for the direction John. Ill try that and see if that clears it. Ill post what I find.
Since I decided to buy a new motor and have my old one fixed as a spare, I went over to BPS to purchase a new Maxxum 80. I didnt want to order from far away, as with shipping, or if I have a problem, I just didnt feel I had time to wait around and hope shipping worked out…or…if I had a problem, I didnt want to have to be dealing with someone from a long distance on the phone. I purchase the motor, drive home, open the box, and find theres no plug included! Hey, I wouldve bought one on site hand I known. So, today, I go to my local Ranger dealer (who also sells Basscat) thinking I could purchase a plug there, only to find out they dont have any and would have to order it. Having ordered there before and had to wait long periods of time to receive anything, I just came on home and ordered the plug online from BPS. One thing I find interesting is that the boat dealer told me to go to Lowes to get the plug……I went there and found 4 prong plugs….but only for 30 amp max……Minn Kota recommends 60 amp breakers…..and my old Marinco plug is 60 amp! I swear…….there is very little good help in this world. I guess my local dealer is installing Lowes 30 amp plugs for 60 amp trolling motors. Disgusted. Guess I needed to vent alittle….
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