Looking for MinnKota Southern Engineering Solution

[alexm]

I have a minn kota trolling motor that occasionally (usually) loses its ability to move the direction indicator, making it annoying.

It appears to be a design flaw, so I'm looking for a quick fix.

The root of the issue is the pedal tension / steering cables. When too much pressure (or just over time) is applied to the pedal, the cable drum at the top of the shaft begins to creep upward which allows the gear connecting the direction indicator and cable drum to jump out of position -- resulting in no movement of the direction indicator.

It's no big deal to pop it open and shove everything back in place, but doing it every other trip sucks. And having to keep the foot pedal tension loose sucks as well. Not to mention the stress put on the plastic housing every time the screws are removed.

Suggestions?


(picture shamelessly stolen and hacked up from this other forums post showing how to add a 12v light to light up the direction indicator --pretty cool

Minnkota directional indicator light addition - AZBZ Forums

Minnkota directional indicator light addition - AZBZ Forums

)

[dhebert307]

I have the same problem with mine still haven't figured out how to fix it. Might be a design flaw. Good luck

[sniper3726]

Is the cable pulley drum sliding up the wires as it creeps up ?

[alexm]

Yes. I considered trying to rig the wires to hold it down, but figured the drum would wear through the wirecasing and short out pretty quickly.

Current thought is to try some liquid nails or other flexible adhesive to glue the drum to the shaft.

[sniper3726]

Try this . 1 Take a fender washer that fits the OD of the cable pulley and a big enough center for wires to fit, or drill out center. Slide each wire into center one at a time, then put a large tie wrap on wires tight down on washer. Test to see if it all functions properly.
option 2 Easier but not sure if it will rotate after install. Get a (urethane gladhand seal) used on 18 wheelers. Split it slide wires in and tie wrap above cable drum also. You can get the gladhand seal @ Mid South Truck in Broussard.

on either one you may apply a little lithium grease if it does not want to rotate.

[alexm]

I like that. I think i'm going to give the gladhand seal a shot.

Seems like it would do the two things I'm looking for -- keep the direction indicator working and stiffen up the pedal a bit without having to overtighten the cables. Win-win.