Testing a trolling motor?

Is there a way to test the motor in a MinnKota trolling motor? Five years old and I’m not happy with the draw on the batteries. Batteries both tested out great, got 26.4V on the power cables to the motor, and the batteries draw down to almost dead in 3-4 hours at 50%. Any idea?

OK RW, I’ll take a shot at this.

First of all, YES, electric motors can be tested. Usually an OHM meter. For an electric trolling motor, I think you’d pull the box/head off the shaft, disconnect power wires, and begin testing. that might be the easy part. If, (and this could be a big if)you have to pull the motor out of the the actual ‘casing’, this is a real big deal as is being sure it’s sealed when done, cause if water gets in there it’s toast!

I think I’d start by calling my area Minn Kota service center and ask a lot of questions.

My honest opinion is that you have a ‘power draw’ working against you as you run your motor. A SHORTis what comes to mind. If the motor checks out, then it’s one or both of your batteries. Batteries can charge, but can draw down fast because they too can have a short. I know you said they have 26+ coming from them, but that’s obviously sustained amp/hour draw?

(sorry for my rambling)

I had the same problem last year and found my problem in the male 4 pin plug coming off my trolling motor. The jumper inside it had shorted and was making the motor only pull and register off one battery after it got warm? Good luck.

Randy I’d talk to a service tech and see if they can tell you what the current draw is supposed to be. The simplest thing here would be to stick an ammeter in one of the power leads and see how many amps the motor is pulling. That way you don’t have to pull anything apart. If the motor is drawing too much current that will drain your batteries sooner than you’d expect.

I don’t think an ohmmeter will tell you much. To an ohmmeter a motor is going to look like a dead short no matter what.

Rootski