Love the Minnkota - hate the foot pedal!!

[Hoffer]

So, I have owned more than a few Minnkota trolling motors. I have had very few issues with the motors themselves - but I swear every single foot pedal I own ultimately loses its ability to turn the motor in one direction. For some reason - at least in my case - its always to the right.

For me this is my 4th one. I have the "standard" flat model one - that just tilts to the left or right to steer and has the littlepower button on the bottom right hand and above that the level that goes up and down to adjust speed.

I was out tonight and everything worked beautifully except the pedal wouldnt turn the motor to the right. Last time I put the boat away it worked fine - and I just stored my foot pedal inside the front compartment and its been in the garage ever since

Has anyone else had these issues? Is this common

Thanks-

Hoffer? if so, do you know if Minnkota stands by these and will repair without cost or something similar?

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I've read that if you swish it around in the water it will clean out the crud that is causing the issue.

[Surface Tension]

More time then not its a dirty corroded connection on the flat plug. I use a brass brush on the male side and CRC electronics cleaner on the female end.

When not in use disconnect the power to the motor and foot control.

[gunnr]

The pedal has pressure switches that are activated by plastic "pads" which can get wore after time, especially ones that are used alot. I just fixed one that wouldn't function in the momentary speed position by placing a plastic shim (made from a plastic milk jug) under the circuit board. It's probably not a long-term fix but it's working now and alot cheaper than $90 for a new pedal. Can't hurt to try if your only other option is buying a whole new pedal.

[BobT]

I've been using my foot pedal for quite a few years trouble-free. One of the things I do is clean it regularly. Because it sits on the floor in my boat and is operated by my shoe, it makes perfect sense that the pedal is prone to get dirty with dust and sand. It's easy to clean.

The steering pad is held on by three small springs. Turn the unit over and you'll find them. Remove the springs and clean the dirt and crud. You'll notice a sliding plastic piece that has some "fingers" on it. These "fingers" are what operate the contacts for turning. I use a shop towel (like paper towels) to slide under those finger contact points to clean the dirt. I lubricate the slide 'cause you'll see that it is greased and grease collects dirt.

The on-off switch and speed slider are held on with small screws from the back. Remove these and clean th crud.

Just don't use any metal tools on anything that might pierce the protective laminate on the contacts or you'll introduce corrosion and that won't be a good thing.

When transporting your boat keep the foot pedal protected from picking up road dust and such and you'll reduce the potential for problems. I clean mine about twice a year and it only takes about 15 minutes.

[mamohr686]

Get a fortrex cable steering TM and you will never have to worry again. So many guys have board, pedal, and compass (autopilot) problems with electronic motors like that.

[Eelpout08]

Those pedals are notorious for going bad. I have two half working ones in the garage now. I finally just got the co-pilot with the wrist remote and like it alot better. I may try the milk jug shim idea on the pedals i have just to see if it will work, though.

[BobT]

A friend of mine recently installed a co-pilot on his and now he's been trying to talk me into one. Says it was one of the best investments he's made for his boat. That might be a good alternative. The only negative I can see with the co-pilot is that I like my hands-free control and since I haven't had any problems with mine, he's not been able to convince me to switch.

[Hoffer]

can you install a copilot on any model?

Is it hard to do?

[Eelpout08]

There is a copilot for the powerdrive v2 and one for the older powerdrives, not sure about the other models but i would assume if it has electronic steering they make a copilot for it.

there have been a few times when it would have been nice to have both hands free but after having the remote fob i dont think i could go back to the pedal.

[Hoffer]

I saw that a new pedal was around 90 to 100 bucks and a copilot around 150.00

I may run out to C store later today and pick up a copilot. My question is are they easy to install? I have NO skills!

Thanks-

Hoffer

[waterfowler10]

They are extremely easy to install

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Copilot on an autopilot motor is my secret weapon. I never use my pedal anymore. I have a brand new pedal that I've never even opened to replace mine before I got the copilot.

[Brad B]

if you don't like the foot pedal and you have power drive V2 why not just get the I Pilot. it gives you auto pilot, co pilot, spot lock, & track recording and replay( nice if you want to follow a contour and don't want to have to manually control the motor. it is like someone else is driving the boat and you have your hands free to fish)

[Bullwinkled]

I have had the wrist strap copilot trouble free for 5 years and use it a lot, the only thing I have had to do was clean connector cable and seal the connection with silicon grease and electrical tape no problems since.

I am a little bummed that when and if I do move to a new model they only have a hand controller, no more wrist watch sized control.

[hitthebricks]

Both the foot control and copilot have their good features. I personally have gone trough two copilots and am back to my original foot control. Being hard of hearing I find the foot control easier to tell if its on and at what speed. Mine is on a Autopilot which tend to have their own problems. Copilots allow you to roam around the boat and you still have control or anybody else who programs their remote to your copilot

HTB