Ulterra not deploying

Hey people, There maybe a thread on this topic already but my minkota ulterra won”t deploy, says motor error. Any experience and info on this would be appreciated. Thanks.

Had that problem when I first installed mine because I didn’t know what I was doing. I called Minn Kota technical support and they talked me through doing a reset. To this day, one of the best customer support experiences I’ve had. Give them a call.

https://minnkotamotors.johnsonoutdoors.com/sites/johnsonoutdoors-store/files/assets/misc/MI/M/MIN_productmanual_Ulterra-BT-Manual-Stow/MIN_productmanual_Ulterra-BT-Manual-Stow.pdf

download this and save to your phones…..

What is the battery level for your trolling motor batteries at? If the battery level is to low it won’t work.

This is a link to Minn Kota’s reset procedure.

https://www.minnkotamotors.com/support/faqs/there-manual-over-ride-function-case-power-loss-or-if-auto-stow-and-deploy-does-not

I have heard the same as SuperDave said about Minn Kota Technical Support via a phone call.

Had the same issue. I read the manual for 30 seconds and I was on my way. No need to sit on the phone to have someone tell you what you could read yourself.

Thanks for the link Dean. I just downloaded it.

I was on the fence between the terrova and the ulterra, I’m glad I got the terrova… I’ve heard this too often. Or the “my troller deployed while i was driving 50 mph across the lake”

rjthehunter wrote:

I was on the fence between the terrova and the ulterra, I’m glad I got the terrova… I’ve heard this too often. Or the “my troller deployed while i was driving 50 mph across the lake”

Yikes!!

rjthehunter wrote:

I was on the fence between the terrova and the ulterra, I’m glad I got the terrova… I’ve heard this too often. Or the “my troller deployed while i was driving 50 mph across the lake”

I’ve never heard of a Ulterra deploying while under speed. However I have heard of the Terrova’s bouncing out of the cradle when hitting waves at speed.

Both should be locked down going 50 IMHO…

One of my buddies had his Terrova deploy while trailering down the highway. When he got to his destination, no skeg left on the Terrova.

I will soon be on my 2nd Ulterra and wouldn’t be without. A problem I did have with the first one was that the rubber cable can loose and the motor dropped down in a very compromising situation. I think loose from the factory. After that very good. All Ulterra owners I would keep an eye on the rubber cable tension and if starts to come loose, readjust and tighten.

Dutchboy wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>rjthehunter wrote:</div>
I was on the fence between the terrova and the ulterra, I’m glad I got the terrova… I’ve heard this too often. Or the “my troller deployed while i was driving 50 mph across the lake”

I’ve never heard of a Ulterra deploying while under speed. However I have heard of the Terrova’s bouncing out of the cradle when hitting waves at speed.

A Terrova did drop and shatter on the lake!
Absolutely did happen on “Ohae, June 2017”

I’ve had my Terrova accidentally deploy as well hitting big waves.

I have no idea how an Ulterra would ever deploy by itself… unless you sat on the remote.

A couple years back I was at the motor clinic in Bloomington to have the side of my Terrova replaced. The guy mentioned that I didn’t have the lock collar down to hold the motor in the stowed position when traveling (I used a ram mount for that). He then took me into the back and showed me an pile of bent Terrova shafts from self-deploying while moving. He then pointed at a little spring on the side and said that is all that keeps the motor from deploying.

I now have an Ulterra but not sure if I need the stabilizer or not. One of the reasons I have the Ulterra is so I don’t need to go up to the bow in rough water. Seems pointless if I would still need to undo the stabilizer.

Odd. Never gave it a thought.

But then when I move that little cord that goes to the power outlet is disconnected.

Unless you guys are having deploy problems when there isn’t any power?

Anybody in South Dakota that needs repair or warranty work I would suggest Jim at JTL Trolling Motor in Parker, SD. He also does pickups in Sioux Falls and most of the time he has one/two day turn time. Awesome and knowledgeable man.

I have owned two Ulterra`s and never a glitch with either one absolutely would not be with out one any more. Just for piece of mind if it is super rough and going some distance I do have a Velcro strap mounted to the front deck that I will wrap around the Ulterra shaft.

Mine will never deploy no matter what I do when it is 40 degrees or colder. So frustrating.