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| I have a 55 lb power drive on my boat and at first it moved the boat pretty good and but it seems like that motor is starting to loose power. At first i thought this was a battery issue but I'm still getting a good run time from the battery. I also checked to see if there was line on the prop shaft and there was none. Am I crazy or is it possible the motor is starting to die on me? |
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Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
Few questions for you:
How old is the motor
How old is the boat
How old are the batteries
could be many things and electrical issues are many times hard to diagnose....or it could be as simple as electrical connections needing to be cleaned/maintained.
Steve
Edited by VMS 4/14/2010 9:09 AM
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Posts: 433
Location: Cedarburg, Wisconsin | Yes, the motor could be in decline but so could the battery so have it load checked. I've had trolling motors where the seals leaked water into the armature and everything started rusting, but even then I didn't notice too much of a power loss.
First I'd check the connections to the battery. Are they perfectly clean, if not clean them up or replace them so a good battery can fully transfer its power.
Second, I'd check the inline fuse. Open it up and check for corrosion. if there is some, replace the holder and fuse.
Third, I'd check the hull. If it is dirty that could do it, possibly
Finally I'd have the motor speed control checked to make sure you are actually turning the motor full on. If the control part doesn't call for full speed the motor doesn't ever run to full capability.
If I had to make a prediction, I'd say the most likely cause is extra resistance in the wiring from corrosion or a bad battery. |
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Posts: 126
| The batteries may be in good shape, maybe not, even if they are supposed to be new. Check the water levels in them. I went through a lot of trouble with my trolling motor, had the armeture (sp?) replaced, for nothing. Motor was great. Ended up being low water in one of the batteries that was nearly brand new. Just a thought. |
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Posts: 532
| My motor was seemed to be slowly going after last season and crapped the bed on my secound trip this year. Tore it apart to find my brushes in the motor were worn out. So i bought a new set of brushes,seals, and bearing for like25$ shipped. Real easy to do, this is how you can have a motor last for many years!
Now i have at least one set of parts for each of my electrics, so i will not have down time. |
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Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Something else that just came to mind...
your foot pedal!! I just replaced mine this year because the contact surface finally was indented enough that it could not get a strong signal anymore. Found that when I would set the pedal to a medium speed, it would only act like a slow speed...just could not get a good enough contact.
so...I replaced the foot pedal this year.
Steve |
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Posts: 272
| I had a 50# PD that when I got it, the prop wouldn't turn until you were up to #3 on the slider dial. Even out of water it wouldn't even turn until 2.5 or so. Bought it used, always did it, didn't change. Just made me wonder if there's some sort of an adjustment on the slider or the roller that adjust your speed number. Outside chance of something like this being related to your problem? Sounds like a little troll installed an RPM limiter over the winter while you weren't looking.
With your problem though, my money is on the battery. Got a buddy's that you can swap it out with? |
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