Minn Kota Co Pilot Questions

[amateurfishing]

i bought a used co-pilot last year, i have discovered 2 things

1. the foot pedal is more accurate and precise for changing speeds and direction with zero lag where the remote is inconsistent and motor does not always respond accurately (like when wanting to turn motor will initially turn but when i want to straighten out again motor will not always respond immediately through remote.

2. slow speeds 1-5 seem to work fine but higher speeds (5-10) motor cuts out after bout 1 minute or so

......any thoughts on either of these issues, i could buy another remote and see if that solves the remote probem (or batteries) but since i having the speed issue with both remote & foot pedal, not sure what issue is there. batteries and fuses are fine.

[Ufatz]

Sounds to me like the receiver unit is weak. Have you put a new battery in the remote? If not, do that next. Do you have a 60 amp fuse on the power line for the motor? Any kind of fusing for motor? What power is your trolling motor?

Frankly, it sounds to me like your unit is just worn out. I have had three of them over past 5-6 years and they DO wear out and they DO require you stay up with fresh connections and fresh battery in the remote.

I find it to be a great unit for bass fishing and use it all the time.My foot controller is stowed away aboard and can't remember the last time I used it.

[amateurfishing]

setup is 12V, both batteries in excellent condition

both batteries have 50 fuses

55 lbs. thrust

i started with with brand new battery last year, it was not used that much, would not think need another one, can always try my backup remote i guess.

when u say "unit worn out" are you talking bout the co-pilot unit thats on the motor that costs $125 or the remote which replacement is bout $35.

I just thought very odd this am that motor would always cut out when trying to go higher speeds over setting 5 even with using foot pedal. and the foot pedal steering is much more precise and accurate than when using the remote.

[Hoey]

I have found you need a clear line-of-sight to get the best performance out of the remote. Things like a boat seat, someone's body, etc... make it difficult at times.

[Ufatz]

Hate to say it, but I think you are ready for a new receiving unit on your trolling motor. We have to keep in mind you bought a used unit, got a couple seasons out of it maybe, and so should not be too angry about the situation.

I COULD be wrong, but that's what it sounds like to me.

[amateurfishing]

after charging trolling motor, i hooked remote co pilot back up and it worked flawlessly on high speed setting for 10 minutes with remote in garage, even with hiding remote behind stuff. NOW i don't get this.

is the "receiving unit" the co pilot attachment to trolling motor base? what is the average life span on these?

[harvey lee]

I would call Minn Kota service center in I believe Mankato, MN and ask them. I am sure they could expalin what the issue may be as they are so knowledgable about their units and have probably seen about everything.

[Cicada]

Just for giggles, pull the prop off and take out one of the thru bolts. Check to see if it is wet. Maybe wait until you've been on the water. If you have water in the lower unit, you may need to have it cleaned up and new seals put in it. I think that can bog down the speed. I hate to think how many trolling motors I threw away years ago thinking I had burned them out when they might have needed the lower unit cleaned out and resealed.

[amateurfishing]

Just for giggles, pull the prop off and take out one of the thru bolts. Check to see if it is wet. Maybe wait until you've been on the water. If you have water in the lower unit, you may need to have it cleaned up and new seals put in it. I think that can bog down the speed. I hate to think how many trolling motors I threw away years ago thinking I had burned them out when they might have needed the lower unit cleaned out and resealed.

i did that this a.m. bolts were bone dry

[BobT]

I have found you need a clear line-of-sight to get the best performance out of the remote. Things like a boat seat, someone's body, etc... make it difficult at times.

I have also noticed this, especially if the transmitter battery is getting weak. Could also open the transmitter and thoroughly clean the contact surface lightly with a clean pencil eraser or electronics cleaner.

[amateurfishing]

i understand what you are saying with a "weak remote signal", but would that explain why the motor just shuts off on its own even when not doing anything with either remote or foot pedal?

[amateurfishing]

Hate to say it, but I think you are ready for a new receiving unit on your trolling motor. We have to keep in mind you bought a used unit, got a couple seasons out of it maybe, and so should not be too angry about the situation.

I COULD be wrong, but that's what it sounds like to me.

when you say "receiving unit", are you referring to the handheld remote or the attachment to the trolling motor base?

[Northlander]

I just started having this issue during the ALS Tourney. Took the head apart and found the wires had gotten worn and melted to the cover. I need to re wire it today and see how it goes from there. I changed the batteries in the co pilot fob and checked my trolling batteries and all is good with them. Ill let ya know if the new wiring does the trick.

[ClownColor]

Sounds to me like the receiver unit is weak. Have you put a new battery in the remote? If not, do that next. Do you have a 60 amp fuse on the power line for the motor? Any kind of fusing for motor? What power is your trolling motor?

Frankly, it sounds to me like your unit is just worn out. I have had three of them over past 5-6 years and they DO wear out and they DO require you stay up with fresh connections and fresh battery in the remote.

I find it to be a great unit for bass fishing and use it all the time.My foot controller is stowed away aboard and can't remember the last time I used it.

You went thru 3 in 5 years? Ouch...and I was thinking of getting one. I guess I'll snoop at the new motorguides.

[delcecchi]

Why would a guy buy a co-pilot now that they make the i-pilot? Unless of course you have a really old motor that is not compatible.

[amateurfishing]

i checked all spots today, no sign of damaged, frayed, or melted wires anywhere and all connections good. got on phone with minn kota, obviously they recommend a service center for trouble shooting, but aside from that they suspect circuit board slowly wearing out.

so i called couple of places & charges are:

$12 to trouble shoot

if circuit board ($75), then $50 to install

under these conditions, am i just better off ordering the circuit board and attempting to install myself (not very handy) and save some $$ since i have pretty much checked out everything else or am i better off taking it in and having it done properly professionally the first time (this would also include unbolting it from the bow )? is this something that is easy for a guy to do or not? Minn Kota basically said it is either circuit board at top of motor or one on the base.

keep in mind i aint mad bout any of this (like someone thought), got it used last spring for 3 bills, 10x better than the old pos original '84 35lb thrust that came with boat, just want it to be reliable.

[Cicada]

Seems pretty reasonable to let them fix it. The place I work at charges $24.00 for estimates. Plus, Minn Kota's policy is that no over the counter parts are returnable and have no warranty on parts unless installed by a qualified technician. A quick release plate might be worth looking into while you have it off the boat.

[Ufatz]

I agree: take it to a Minnkota service center and get it done right. Oh...and also get the quick release plate, as suggested. If the circuit board really is the problem (and it DOES happen) then you are good to go. If not I go back to my original suspicion that your receiving unit for the Pilot is shot.

Good luck. Get out there on the water!! Ha Ha Ha!

[amateurfishing]

thx for all the info & suggestions, had boat out and trolling motor working well on lower half of settings with foot pedal yesterday am & with that and considering all the crank baits, new tackle box, & 2 new reels i have bought this spring, im gonna let the mrs. decide if & when it should get looked at from a professional. till then, i will go out on calmer waters only as to try not to rock the boat anymore and add bills for the mrs. thx again.

[h8go4s]

after charging trolling motor, i hooked remote co pilot back up and it worked flawlessly on high speed setting for 10 minutes with remote in garage, even with hiding remote behind stuff.

That seems to indicate that the remote is not the problem. Here's my advice:

1. Never run your trolling motor for any extended period of time unless it's under water. On and off is ok to check function, but 10 minutes scares me. The motor is cooled by being submerged. It can overheat and damage the windings when not submerged.

2. There is virtually no load on the motor when it is out of the water, so the power draw to run it at full speed in air is much less than the power draw in water. You also say it runs fine at slower speeds. I suspect you have a corrosion problem somewhere between the battery and the trolling motor. Disconnect and clean every connection, including the fuse or circuit breaker. If that doesn't help, pull the top cover off the head and look for corroded connections.

[Northlander]

I went and got a new fob for my co-pilot and that was the issue. This is the 3rd fob I have had in 3 or 4 years.

[amateurfishing]

what is FOB

[delcecchi]

what is FOB

The fob is the thing like a garage door opener that is the remote control for the co-pilot.

[amateurfishing]

oooooohhhhh k, just changed batteries in mine, thx for the info, have also found i enjoy using foot pedal more for now, keeps hands more free

[amateurfishing]

oooooohhhhh k, just changed batteries in mine, thx for the info, have also found i enjoy using foot pedal more for now, keeps hands more free