Spot Lock Kicking Off

[slabbandit]

I have a Minn Kota Ultrex with Spotlock. Several times every trip out recently my Spotlock won't stay engaged. It will for a minute or so then kick off. About a week ago the whole motor would shut off. I found that if I wiggled my trolling motor plug in it would fix it. Probably the same problem. Less than a year old.
I've read somewhere that the plug they use is not the best connection. Anybody got any ideas?

[DockShootinJack]

Main power cable?Upgrade the plug to a twist lock or wire it direct.

[catchNgrease]

Main power cable?Upgrade the plug to a twist lock or wire it direct.

Bypass it all together is another idea. It has an off switch

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[Les Young]

I've had a twist lock for years & it has worked great. Be worth it if you don't hard wire it.

[Alphahawk]

Minn Kota makes a good plug but it is over 100 bucks…MKR 26. Another good plug is the Mirinco 70 Amp. The plugs that most motors come with are not very good. I used the Mirinco 70 Amp…no issues at all with it. Very heavy duty. Wanted to add that if I’m not mistaken the amperage for those plugs is supposed to be 60 amps. Minn Kota talks about that on their info page. Those push on plugs are only rated I think for 20 amps and while they may work they will give you problems with spot lock. That is why I went to the Mirinco plug…then no more problems.

Regards


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[lowe rider]

If you’re having problems with your plug you might consider getting one of these and hard wiring your power wires.
I’ve never had a problem with this connection.

If spotlock is kicking off check your foot pedal for anything that could bind the pedal. If spotlock senses any resistance it will kick off. If there’s anything in the way while the pedal is moving spotlock will drop out.

Trolling Motor Hardwired Terminal Block - Trollingmotorparts.com

[slabbandit]

Thanks, really good info. I really suspect the plug may be my problem as sometimes it quits working until I wiggle it. May wire direct or switch plugs as suggested.

[grizwilson]

If you hard wire keep this in mind from the Minn Kota Ultrex install manual:
For safety reasons, disconnect the motor from the battery or batteries when the motor is not in use or while the battery/batteries arebeing charged.• Improper wiring of 24/36 volt systems could cause battery explosion.• Keep leadwire wing nut connections tight and solid to battery terminals.• Locate battery in a ventilated compartment.WARNING • For safety re

[DockShootinJack]

If you hard wire keep this in mind from the Minn Kota Ultrex install manual:
For safety reasons, disconnect the motor from the battery or batteries when the motor is not in use or while the battery/batteries arebeing charged.• Improper wiring of 24/36 volt systems could cause battery explosion.• Keep leadwire wing nut connections tight and solid to battery terminals.• Locate battery in a ventilated compartment.WARNING • For safety re

You could always use battery switch to disconnect while charging

[lowe rider]

If you hard wire keep this in mind from the Minn Kota Ultrex install manual:
For safety reasons, disconnect the motor from the battery or batteries when the motor is not in use or while the battery/batteries arebeing charged.• Improper wiring of 24/36 volt systems could cause battery explosion.• Keep leadwire wing nut connections tight and solid to battery terminals.• Locate battery in a ventilated compartment.WARNING • For safety re

I probably should have mentioned that I have a switchable breaker in the bilge to kill power to the trolling motor when batteries are charging or boat is not being used.