Trolling motor problems

[Jsquares]

I took the boat out this week and I think the trolling motor may have got stuck in the mud,I lost power and troller went dead,first thought it was battery,checked when I got home and found 40 amp fuse on battery cable popped,has a reset so I reset and all good,took out again was fine for an 1/2 hour and again fuse popped,batteries are charged checked troller and ran fo 1/2 hr at home in garage and seemed ok but shaft was hot (prop removed) motor and case cool,don't want to get stuck again,if the shaft being hot could it be bad bearrings or will this stay cool in water,pos bad fuse,any guidance would be helpful.

[BassBUFF]

What size trolling motor? 12 or 24v? How old is the breaker?

You shouldn't run the motor out of the water for any extended length of time because of the heat build up, the water disipates that.

Check ALL your connections for corrosion, clean and tighten as needed. Your breaker could be weak due to age, might be time for a new one. Don't get the cheap automotive type that is self resetting, spend the $$ and get a good maunual reset breaker for marine use.

If you can't find anything obviously wrong and a new breaker doesn't help then your TM motor brushes and bearings might need replacing.

Let us know what you find out.

[Jsquares]

Thanks for the help,new to boating but strong auto background, Tracker boat -46lb -12volt and 2006 boat would say the troller is the same year,connections were corroded a little I opened the case to the motor and brushes and armatur looked good,so I am leaning to the breaker, I was going to use an auto one but will take your advice and go to the marine,thanks for the help this is a great site.

[BassBUFF]

Glad to help! Sounds like you may have found the culprits. Corrosion will cause the unit to pull more current trying to overcome the resistance in the circuit and a weak breaker will just add to the issue. Let us know how it goes!

[afreeland4]

I have motorguide 2008 proseries 24 volt trolling motor. only works on 5, 4 and same speed on 4. one and two do nothing...replaced switch no change. seems to get power to the switch. any ideas?  thanks alan

[stumpy05]

ALAN  just to let you know, ive heard motorguide is good for that, i had one do that, and my friends dad had two do that, not knockin on motorguide, but i prefer minn kota lol, i cldnt find out the reason, course i didnt take it to a marine shop or nothing, so might be a easy fix idk

[afreeland4]

Thanks....I have a minkota on my pontoon....has always worked great....just to edit my 1st statement the motor works the same on 4 and 3 not at all on 1...and 2 i believe the thing is just out of warranty....