trolling motor not working in freezing temps

[jwmiller33]

does anybody ever have any troubles using a trolling motor in freezing temps? i was out fishing on pool 2 on tuesday and it was above freezing (mid to high 30s) and my trolling motor was fine... i went to launch the boat today, and it was about 22 degrees when i launched, and the trolling motor didn't work when i took the boat off the trailer. the battery was fully charged and everything was connected how it normally is, so that wasnt the problem. i tried spinning the propeller with my hand and see if something was hung up and it would spin half way, then it wouldnt go any further. it was completely jammed up. i could spin it half way, forward or reverse, and then it would lock up. almost seemed like it was locked in gear.

anyways, when i got home i took the trolling motor inside and let it thaw out and hooked up to the same battery now it is working fine.. is there anyway i can use my trolling motor in freezing temps without this happening? its a minn kota maxxum 55lb thrust, stern mount.

could it possibly be that one of the seals might have gotten broken from some fishing line? there is no fishing line on the shaft right now, but there was a couple times this summer when i got line caught in the trolling motor. i always got it out right away, but is it possible one of the seals busted and not is letting water into the motor and its freezing?

i took off the propeller and there is no line like i said. i see there are two hex screws/bolts that i could take off and i assume get into the motor. if i do this would i be able to see if there was some issues with the seals? is it bad to take apart the motor on these things? i dont know much about trolling motors and how they are put together. any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks

[Ed Carlson]

You may have water in the motor housing?

If a seal is leaking ice may have formed inside the housing and that in turn hung-up the windings internally causing the motor to stop mid-cycle.

As it worked after being warmed up, that is why I suspect water contamination internally.

Remove the prop, inspect the rear seal for fishing line and remove any that has crept into the seal if found.

Now hang the motor output shaft down and see if any moisture appears to seep out. It may be visible, or it may not be.

If the seal is out the shaft may feel sloppy and the water will run out on the output shaft if wiggled or if ran.

If water is visible, than you will need a new output shaft seal.

Be sure to get the internal motor completely dry if it has taken on any water as it can cause nasty complication, if it has not already done so.

That is my best guess. I seen this before on a Endura 55 I had in late fall and early winter, and I was just as baffled tell I figured it out.

Hope this helps.

[jwmiller33]

where would i get a new one of those output shaft seals? and are they hard to replace?

[Ed Carlson]

Not to bad to do at all. If you look at trollingmotorparts dot com you should be able to find the info and parts you will need.

[jwmiller33]

thanks for the help ed. i am going to the big C store today, do you think I could get the seal today? are seals like that pretty uniform for most minn kota models? or would i need to get the specific one for my unit? also, would it be a lot more expensive getting it at the big C store rather then online?

[jwmiller33]

ok so i just took the motor apart and about 1 cup of water came out of it when i opened it up. the water was all nasty and black looking. how many different seals are in this thing? i dont know how to find the diagram of my specific minn kota maxxum 55 on that trolling motor HSOforum that you provided Ed. which seal would i need to replace to fix this problem?

[jwmiller33]

i called minn kota and ordered an entire set of new seals. is cost a mere $3.68, and is being shipping on Monday. the big C store did not have any minn kota parts, but did reference me to minn kota's HSOforum, called them and they were very helpful.

[Ed Carlson]

Sorry I fell behind..but it looks like you got your parts ok. Let that case dry well and inspect the magnets on the motor to see if any came loose before you slap it back together.

I had a magnet drop off from the motor and with a bit of epoxy, I put it back in place. So they can loosen up if they get wet and freeze. That black stuff, might be adhesive that dissolved?

[delcecchi]

might be rust from the armature? If I had water in my trolling motor I would want to take the whole thing apart and clean all the water and crud out.

[jwmiller33]

the armature looks to be in pretty good condition. like i said, i had a couple times this summer when i got a good chuck of line caught in the trolling motor. for about 2 seconds, you think you have the biggest fish of your life biting your line, then you realize it is just the trolling motor. i got this trolling motor used and i took it apart when i got it and there was line around the shaft. this thing has prolly needed new seals for quite some time. just took getting her out in freezing temps to figure that out.

ed-i will definitely have to inspect the magnets and everything before i put it all back together. is there anything else like that i should inspect before putting everything back together?