Help with MNKOTA Terrova

[Dahitman44]

My new trolling motor is not working right.

When autopilot is on it turns the head all over and sometimes around in a circle. When i press the foot pedal to move it it will correct itself.

I have shut it off and re-started. I have a full charge on brand new batteries.

I just don't get it.

Any thoughts?

It does work fine with AP off.

[PerchJerker]

My opinion ...... Auto-Pilot is notorious for this. I don't have an Auto-Pilot now but used to have one, and at times it would work great but at other times it was unusable because of what you describe (which is why I didn't pay for that feature on my motor now). I've spent quite a bit of time this year using a Terrova with Auto-Pilot on a buddy's boat and usually end up turning the Auto-Pilot off because of frustration with it doing things on its own. Sorry I can't help more but that's what I know.

[Dahitman44]

Perch --

So you have seen this behavior before? Did your buddy try to get it fixed?

Thanks

[PerchJerker]

Sorry dude, the only "fix" we know of is to turn off the AP function when it acts up.

But ..... if it's a new motor and in warranty, try calling Minnkota, or one of their authorized service centers, and see what they say. Maybe there's something they can do. If it was my motor I'd for sure go this route before throwing in the towel on the AP function.

[rbach]

I have the same issues with both of the Powerdrives I've had..... I don't think it is too uncommon. I have basically accepted it since I never wanted the downtime without it.

[katoguy]

This is different than any of the past issues. The new software should run just fine.

Take it in and have the compass card replaced at the nearest MK ASC to you. The compass may be leaking some of its oil so the compass card isn't floating free and level.

[firebug]

katoguy is right on the money. take it to an service center and they'll fix it right up. It's the compass board.

[Dahitman44]

I brought it in and that is what they said too..

Thanks for your help, fellas.

Hit

[HuntFishDude]

I just wanted to say that I picked up a new Terrova this year and have been very happy with it and the auto pilot feature has worked great! I did have an older model back a few years and had a terrible time with it. I will say that my batteries seem to be draining fairly quickly but maybe I just need to upgrade them...

The other issue is how the unit is mounted on your boat as it sits in the water, since it uses a compass, the unit has to be fairly level. When I got mine and was installing it myself, I called Minn Kota and they said it could tolerate 5 degree or something like that from horizontal, can't remember exactly but it didn't seem like much. Certainly in rough water the unit will not perform as well.

Hopefully your unit will come back working...

[Dahitman44]

I talked to the authorized repair guy and he said that so far the terova has been great. A few minor problems, but it has been pretty good, so I hear.

Hope to get it back soon.

[fishing 101]

I am in the process of having my compass card replaced as well. The guy said they are having problems with this in the Terrova's.

Another problem I am having, is it will sometimes just quit running. I will have to turn the power up to get it to kick in again, and then turn back down to the desired speed. Very frustrating when you are night fishing, and then look down at the GPS graph and notice you havn't been moving.

[Giant_Jackpot]

OK. I’ll throw out something that may be completely off base but I have wondered if it may not be the cause of the AP units getting whacky once in a while……

When I was learning how to fly, they taught us that a compass is accurate only in straight and level, un-accelerated flight. If you are on a certain heading and initiate a turn, the compass will either lead or lag in the direction you are turning (what it does depends on what direction you are going and what direction you turn). Accelerating or decelerating causes the compass to indicate a turn as well (even though you are not turning the airplane). I don’t use an AP trolling motor but occasionally run one in my friend’s boat and I have noticed that it seems most of the unwanted direction changes happen when the wave action keeps the bow moving up and down all the time (acceleration and deceleration). Could this up and down be causing the compass to get whacky and not know what direction it is pointing? If they are truly using a magnetic compass to keep track of direction, it seems that this might be the problem. Like I said, I could be way off base but it’s food for thought I guess…………..

Dahitman44, did the new board completely fix the problem? I would be curious to find out if you still have problems in bigger waves.

[Dahitman44]

I will be using it tonight so i will let you know on Friday.

[Dahitman44]

Used the motor last night and it worked GREAT.

In fact it worked better than it ever did.

Getting the compass fixed helped 100 percent.

It made fishing fun again. I could fish and not constantly adjust.