Trolling motor help

[bohunterbiff]

Got a Minn Kota 70 Riptide, 24v. Problem is I can not get full speed out of it - kinda sluggish like it is only running on 12v. Any suggestions on where I should look for the problem?

[LPfishnTIM]

check each battery, charge them, check again, then if you still have problems take it apart see if any connections are loose or anything is burnt, most of the time you can go to there website and order a part from min kota. broke the housing on a great white and was able to order the part from there website for $35. Plus I just like taking things apart and putting them back together!

[jldsc]

Start with a volt meter and make sure you have your 24v all the way to the control under the cap...then go from there

[bohunterbiff]

Thanks, found where one of the wires from the motor to the plug had been crimped and cut. Will check the batteries next. Can batteries get damaged from getting beat by rough water?

[LPfishnTIM]

vibration and heat can damage batteries but most battery problems are from batteries being drained past the point of being recharged, its best to charge battery after it had been discharged, I plug mine in right after getting home from fishing they last longer that way. then I recharge them right before if they need it.

[longcast]

Mine was doing that a few weeks ago. Dhp changed the brushes and armature.now she rolls.

[bohunterbiff]

Appreciate the help. Back tracked all the wires and checked the batteries - one was at 65% the other at 2%. it appears as if one of the livewell aerators is shorted and is draining the battery. Disconnected it and am charging the batteries to test the theory.

[LPfishnTIM]

hopefully you can recharge that one at 2%.

[bohunterbiff]

Got it. The two bank charger is great. Trickle charged overnight and had full power today. Thanks for the help.