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Thread: Motorguide X3 speed and run time

  1. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chance View Post
    I was finally able to get back to my trolling motor after Hurricane Barry departed central Indiana.

    I checked as to what gauge of wire, it is #6 back in the battery compartment. I haven't gotten into the front yet.

    I was able to borrow a clamp meter. I've never used one before and I guess I don't know how to use it. I believe that this motor does use 42 amps on high (does this sound right?). I am going to read up on the meter so I can use it.

    With all of the batteries that I have, none match up with age or size. So, right now I can't connect any of them together.

    The last thing I did today was to check the wiring under the pedal. I turned the motor on and listened to the different speeds. There didn't seem to be speed difference in speeds 3 thru 5. Then I started checking the pedal wiring. I found a red wire that was corroded pretty bad and some of the insulation looked melted. So I cut it back, spliced some back on, placed another connector, then plugged it back in after cleaning all of the posts. I again checked the speeds. Now there is a noticeable audible difference in all 5 speeds. I did notice that the wiring in the pedal is #10 wire.

    So, right now I'm just kinda dead in the water. I'm not planning on going out until next week. For me, fishing in above 90* (and 110* heat index) isn't too much fun. I'm hoping that cleaning up the pedal wiring might make a difference.

    I am still open for more suggestions.
    Thank you all.
    For 12v motors, the pounds of thrust will be pretty close to the amperage draw at full tilt, loaded. So a 55lb motor is going to be close to 55 amps.

    The motor will need to be loaded (in the water) to get an accurate reading.

    Also make sure that you have a DC clamp meter. AC clamp meters are common and inexpensive, but will not work on DC. DC meters are much more expensive. About all you do is set it to DC current of the correct range, and clamp it around one of the motor wires.
    Thanks Chance thanked you for this post

  2. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Atimm693 View Post
    For 12v motors, the pounds of thrust will be pretty close to the amperage draw at full tilt, loaded. So a 55lb motor is going to be close to 55 amps.

    The motor will need to be loaded (in the water) to get an accurate reading.

    Also make sure that you have a DC clamp meter. AC clamp meters are common and inexpensive, but will not work on DC. DC meters are much more expensive. About all you do is set it to DC current of the correct range, and clamp it around one of the motor wires.
    Yes sir, it is a DC. Does the clamp go on the conductor or around? The way I was reading the instructions I thought it said the clamp goes on the conductor.
    Chance

  3. #13
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    I got out to check the motor this morning. Since I don't live on a lake, I submerged the motor in a tub. That worked great except the Grandmonsters got soaked. I really don't think they minded too much. I got readings on the meter that went up for each speed change. I believe that in 5th speed it was giving a reading of around 30 amps. At least I know that the speed does increase even though this reading might be low (maybe the meter, maybe the operator?). I did take the screws out of the front of the motor and there wasn't any water.

    I won't be going out until Monday or Tuesday and I'm hoping that all of these checks and small repairs will make a difference.

    Thanks again everyone.
    Chance

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    Quote Originally Posted by Chance View Post
    I got out to check the motor this morning. Since I don't live on a lake, I submerged the motor in a tub. That worked great except the Grandmonsters got soaked. I really don't think they minded too much. I got readings on the meter that went up for each speed change. I believe that in 5th speed it was giving a reading of around 30 amps. At least I know that the speed does increase even though this reading might be low (maybe the meter, maybe the operator?). I did take the screws out of the front of the motor and there wasn't any water.

    I won't be going out until Monday or Tuesday and I'm hoping that all of these checks and small repairs will make a difference.

    Thanks again everyone.
    Sounds like it is doing what it's supposed to. 30 amps is not out of the realm of possibility, and the prop may have not been getting much of a bite in a tub.

  5. #15
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    Barnacle Bill is offline Super Mod and 2014 Crappie.com Man of the Year * Crappie.com Supporter
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    Quote Originally Posted by Atimm693 View Post
    For 12v motors, the pounds of thrust will be pretty close to the amperage draw at full tilt, loaded. So a 55lb motor is going to be close to 55 amps.

    The motor will need to be loaded (in the water) to get an accurate reading.

    Also make sure that you have a DC clamp meter. AC clamp meters are common and inexpensive, but will not work on DC. DC meters are much more expensive. About all you do is set it to DC current of the correct range, and clamp it around one of the motor wires.
    HUH?? So a 55lb motor is going to be close to 55 amps. No way. If you call MK and ask them about max current for a 55lb motor they are going to tell you 42 amps. And that even isn't max run current, its stall current.
    Fair Winds and Following Seas

    Bill H. PTC USN Ret
    Chesapeake, Va


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    Quote Originally Posted by Barnacle Bill View Post
    HUH?? So a 55lb motor is going to be close to 55 amps. No way. If you call MK and ask them about max current for a 55lb motor they are going to tell you 42 amps. And that even isn't max run current, its stall current.
    It's just a rule of thumb, not an exact spec, and that does not account for any voltage drop in the circuit.

  7. #17
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    I was finally able to get the boat out today. I told #1 Grandson we would head over to Cagles Mill Lake. I was pleasantly surprised with the performance of the X3. We used the gas motor to get close to our favorite area and then used the trolling motor for the next 200 yards. Right off the bat, we were going 1.8mph. I haven't been able to do that this year. We did do quite a bit of trolling (over an hour) and I never dropped below 1.7mph (in 5th). So this was a great improvement over 2 weeks ago.

    Thanks everyone for their suggestions and help.
    Chance

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