Nevermind, found my answer on page 76 of the online manual. Both settings can be changed. Apparently I missed it the first two times I skimmed through it.

Well, tried a new prop and it does the same thing…runs like a top up to 90-95% throttle, then it starts shaking. I cant believe the prop shaft would be bent, its brand new…unless it got bent during shipping somehow.

I’m praying it is a prop issue…of course those arent real cheap either. I dont think it is an RPM deal…on my old lower unit and prop I could hit the max (5250) but now I can get to about 5100 and thats it. I wonder if it isnt a gearing thing with the lower unit. I bought a new aftermarket one instead of going the rebuilt Mercury route…supposedly the gearing and everything is the same. The problem with taking it back to where I had it put on is that I’m the one that put it on. Thanks for the suggestions.

I made my own compass out of a 1’x1′ piece of plywood and a boat rope cleat. It works great.

OK, I finally figured out the voltage question…It is a Maxxum 54, which they apparently made a 12 volt and a 24 volt version. I have the 24 volt version which explains the 4 wires. Now I already know that my 2 wire system with the jumper at the batteries works, but I’m thinking about going back to the 4 wire system with a jumper/s at the plug. Now, any ideas as to whether I would jump it at the female plug(4 wires) or the male plug(2 wires), and would I actually need 2 jumpers? I suppose if I sat and thought about it for a bit I could figure it out, just thought someone may have this rig in their boat. Thanks.

To respond to your questions…I had never seen a 24 volt, 55 Maxxum either. But when it was hookied up the way it was, I assumed it was. Plus when I just ran it on 12 volts, there wasnt much power. And when I ran it on 24 volts, I would have thought the breaker would have blown if it wasnt supposed to run on 24. Now I’m really confused.

Yes, I have a two bank charger for each of the trolling batteries.

I left the other two wires in there, just unhooked them, so I can always try another system. Maybe I’ll go back to some 4 wire, 12 volt set-up. I really dont want to blow up the motor if it isnt supposed to be a 24 volt system.

Well, I guess I should have poked around more before I gave up and asked for help. Apparently this is a 24 volt motor. All the Maxxum 55’s I’ve seen are 12 volts. But when I opened up the plug on the trolling motor, there is a jumper from one set of wires to the other (as opposed to a jumper on the batteries like I would expect to see on a 24 volt system). So I simplified and reduced to 2 wires and did a simple jumper wire at the batteries. I put the volt meter to it and it is pulling 24 volts without throwing the breaker, so I think I’m good to go. Thanks anyway.

Just wanted to point out that in P.C., there are white bass (not wipers), and true muskies (not tigers as the tiger musky program was stopped around 1990 I believe). Also, the multiple large predators tend to be able to coexist and thrive in a place like that due to the lake having gizzard shad as a primary forage.

Hannen would be good for some 7″ gills and there is a chance for a giant crappie if you get lucky. Dont go there for a while (until we get some colder weather), I called there this morning and the ice conditions are poor.