Thread: Minn Kota Powerdrive questions

I just installed a "used" 24 volt Minn Kota Pontoon PowerDrive V2 68 thrust with a quick release bracket, electric steer, variable speed and Co-pilot. I installed all new 6 guage wiring on the boat. At the battery end, I hooked the solid red wire to the postive terminal on one battery. At the battery end I hooked the solid black wire to the negative terminal on the second battery. Then I hooked one wire from the negative on the first battery to the positive on the second battery. Coming from the trolling motor wiring, I hooked the one wire that was color coded black with a red stripe to the red wire from the battery. Then I hooked the solid black wire from the trolling motor to the solid black wire from the battery. This I believe gives me 24 volts. Went to the lake a little while ago for the purpose of trying it out. So this is where my problems begins...

(1) Using the foot pedal, I can control the speed fine...but can not turn left or right. The mom and cont button works fine also. The foot pedal works the same regardless if its hooked straight into the trolling motor, or hooked up through the co-pilot.

(2) Using the co-pilot, I can control the speed fine, but can not turn left or right. The co-pilot works the same, regardless if the foot pedal is connected or not.

The battery level indicators lights works fine....but does the lights? on top of the head light up...for an indicator?

Anyone have any ideas as to why the steering does not work. The guy I got it from had it less than two years and claimed he never had any problems out of it at all.

Another question, I believe this has a three year warranty...does Minn Kota honor a warranty for someone other than the original owner?

This is the motor I have. http://www.minnkotamotors.com/produc...t/pontoon.aspx

This is the foot pedal I have. http://www.minnkotamotors.com/produc...owerdrive.aspx

Thanks in advance for any help.

Sounds like you have a problem with the servo motor (steering Motor).

Does it make any sound when you steer left or right? Might have to put your ear on the cover. If a geer is stripped the motor will run and you want be able to hear it. If you dont hear anything then several things. H bridge on the control board shot. Small dc shaft drive motor shot. One of these I suspect to be faulty.

Too bad you ain't close by. I would give you a hand with it. I have never seen the insides of this unit. Ima good swagger.

The pedal you show in your link is not the correct pedal for a V-2. Also the co-pilot is different for the V-2. You might want to double check that you have the correct parts. Here is a V-2 pedal. PowerDrive V2/Riptide SP | Foot Pedals | Accessories | Products | Minn Kota

Didn't know about the pedals (except v2 and terrova). Learn somethin ever time I check in here.

Now that I think about it he must have the correct gear. I believe the plugs are different but don't know for sure. Can anyone verify that?

The plugs are definately different between the pre 2006 or 2007 Powerdrives, and the newer V2 motors. No way the connectors will interchange.
On a couple of my older powerdrives, it was a simple procedure to remove the cap off the housing for the control board. You could identify the wires going to the steering motor, and see if the control board is sending power to them when you activate the foot pedal. If the control board is sending out power, then it's probably the steering motor. If the control board isn't sending power out, I guess it's bad. Of course, that's taking into consideration that the foot pedal and or co-pilot is sending the power to the control board.

Originally Posted by Cane Pole

Does it make any sound when you steer left or right? Might have to put your ear on the cover. If a geer is stripped the motor will run and you want be able to hear it. If you dont hear anything then several things. H bridge on the control board shot. Small dc shaft drive motor shot. One of these I suspect to be faulty.

Too bad you ain't close by. I would give you a hand with it. I have never seen the insides of this unit. Ima good swagger.

With my new acquired knowledge, this should be right answer here. It is the same answer as Shellback. Put a digital volt meter across the leads to the small dc shaft drive motor. It should switch to + or - 12v when activated, depending on the direction of travel.

Make sure the pinion gear on the small dc motor is not slipping. Motor will run, but it will not move the shaft.

Guys...I am mechanically challenged...and more so when it deals with working on anything electronic....thanks for everyones advice...its all going to be over my head. I expect I will run it to Fishermans Friend a authorized Minn Kota service shop in Kannapolis Tuesday...ifs its anything other than operator error...between what I paid for this one used...and the repair bill...I could have bought a brand new one just like it. (I called the prior owner last night and he said he never had any problems..but he seems to remember you can't hook up the foot control and use the co-pilot). But thanks guys..

Originally Posted by poppop

Guys...I am mechanically challenged...and more so when it deals with working on anything electronic....thanks for everyones advice...its all going to be over my head. I expect I will run it to Fishermans Friend a authorized Minn Kota service shop in Kannapolis Tuesday...ifs its anything other than operator error...between what I paid for this one used...and the repair bill...I could have bought a brand new one just like it. (I called the prior owner last night and he said he never had any problems..but he seems to remember you can't hook up the foot control and use the co-pilot). But thanks guys..

This sucks....