Downrigger Issue

[bone8]

So i have a cannon magnum 5 down rigger giving me some issues with not working i have checked my power and i have switched it to the other side of my boat and it still has this problem i am curious if any of you have any idea what it might be it will just stop working out of the blue on random days some days not an issue other days it works one minute then not the next its only about 5 years old i have another one just like it and no troubles at all its been doing these for a few years now

[dubob]

So i have a cannon magnum 5 down rigger giving me some issues with not working i have checked my power and i have switched it to the other side of my boat and it still has this problem i am curious if any of you have any idea what it might be it will just stop working out of the blue on random days some days not an issue other days it works one minute then not the next its only about 5 years old i have another one just like it and no troubles at all its been doing these for a few years now

Check the power cable connections for corrosion or looseness where they are attached to your power source.  Also, measure the voltage between the positive weight wire holding the weight and the boat ground.  It should be about 0.6 vdc.

[liketrolling]

I would bet you have a bad  cable, corrosion gets on the pins they are hard to clean, look on you tube they give you some ideas.

[brookie]

The cheapest start is to get some dielectric grease and put it on the plug connections. I had the same issue with one of my 2 mag 5's. The dielectric grease solved the problem. You can get it at Autozone - it's the stuff they put on battery post connections.

[BoatBallast]

I cut the Cannon ends off my cables and installed Marinco male/female sockets on the downrigger/boat.  I was tired of the corrosion issues with the Cannon wires.  Haven't had a problem since.

My best bet is that you have corrosion or loose connections, both of which happen with the Cannon proprietary connectors.

[bone8]

Thank you for pointing me in a direction before i tear it apart i hope its just a simple plug issue thanks again

[Bduck]

When I bought my boat, knew it had been used is salt water. It had 2 base mount Marinco 2-prong receptacles for downriggers. The wires ends were showing signs of corrosion, so I elected to replace them with a 3-prong receptacle running new electrical cable and male plug on DR cable adding 2 additional outlets to run 4 DR's. The 3-prong is an insert twist lock providing what I felt was added security to stay in place. For corrosion preventative its dielectric. 

[wiperhunter2]

When I bought my boat, knew it had been used is salt water. It had 2 base mount Marinco 2-prong receptacles for downriggers. The wires ends were showing signs of corrosion, so I elected to replace them with a 3-prong receptacle running new electrical cable and male plug on DR cable adding 2 additional outlets to run 4 DR's. The 3-prong is an insert twist lock providing what I felt was added security to stay in place. For corrosion preventative its dielectric. 

Were you able to just cut the old plug off and install the new one or was the wires corroded as well? I have an issue like this on a DR I just received. Would you mind posting a link to the plug you bought to replace your old one?

[BearLakeFishGuy]

I also cut off the male plugs, due to poor connections, on my cannon Mini Mag electrics and replaced them with 3-prong, 20amp regular plugs from Lowes. The connection is tighter and I haven't had a problem since. I did that probably 15 years ago now. I obviously did not use the ground wire since the cannon wiring is only positive and negative. I did not use the twist-lock since I did not want to spent $18+ for each connector. I just looked at them in Lowes the other day. They were about $8 each.

[wiperhunter2]

I also cut off the male plugs, due to poor connections, on my cannon Mini Mag electrics and replaced them with 3-prong, 20amp regular plugs from Lowes.  The connection is tighter and I haven't had a problem since.  I did that probably 15 years ago now.  I obviously did not use the ground wire since the cannon wiring is only positive and negative.  I did not use the twist-lock since I did not want to spent $18+ for each connector.  I just looked at them in Lowes the other day.  They were about $8 each.

So you bought both male and female connectors at Lowes for $8, is that fro both or $8 for each connector? And this is just regular 110 vt  connectors that are 20 amp?

[BoatBallast]

Scotty uses the Marinco connectors and rated for use in salt water. I like the way they keep the water out of the connection. I also like that they lock in place and it guarantees an electrical connection through the connector. They have been worth every penny.

[BearLakeFishGuy]

I also cut off the male plugs, due to poor connections, on my cannon Mini Mag electrics and replaced them with 3-prong, 20amp regular plugs from Lowes.  The connection is tighter and I haven't had a problem since.  I did that probably 15 years ago now.  I obviously did not use the ground wire since the cannon wiring is only positive and negative.  I did not use the twist-lock since I did not want to spent $18+ for each connector.  I just looked at them in Lowes the other day.  They were about $8 each.

So you bought both male and female connectors at Lowes for $8, is that fro both or $8 for each connector? And this is just regular 110 vt  connectors that are 20 amp?

Each one cost about $8.  Yep, just 110v, 20 amp plugs.  They fit the normal 3-prong plug but have an extra horizontal line on the hot wired one.  Works great.

[Bduck]

When I bought my boat, knew it had been used is salt water. It had 2 base mount Marinco 2-prong receptacles for downriggers. The wires ends were showing signs of corrosion, so I elected to replace them with a 3-prong receptacle running new electrical cable and male plug on DR cable adding 2 additional outlets to run 4 DR's. The 3-prong is an insert twist lock providing what I felt was added security to stay in place. For corrosion preventative its dielectric. 

Were you able to just cut the old plug off and install the new one or was the wires corroded as well? I have an issue like this on a DR I just received. Would you mind posting a link to the plug you bought to replace your old one?

Removal of the old plugs was easy. Also, I replaced the electrical wire coming from battery adding a fuse box to run accessories separately. The original wire installed was a marine grade Romex, the wire used as replacement is a water-resistant flexible wire. Another type of wire that can be used in this application is for Malibu yard lights that is buried in ground, this works great as well. Since I went in changing boat side wire, I also had to replace the wire on each DR to custom fit & reach outlets




3-Pronge Twist Lock
 

Water resistant flexible wire
Part number info on wire

[wiperhunter2]

When I bought my boat, knew it had been used is salt water. It had 2 base mount Marinco 2-prong receptacles for downriggers. The wires ends were showing signs of corrosion, so I elected to replace them with a 3-prong receptacle running new electrical cable and male plug on DR cable adding 2 additional outlets to run 4 DR's. The 3-prong is an insert twist lock providing what I felt was added security to stay in place. For corrosion preventative its dielectric. 

Were you able to just cut the old plug off and install the new one or was the wires corroded as well? I have an issue like this on a DR I just received. Would you mind posting a link to the plug you bought to replace your old one?

Removal of the old plugs was easy. Also, I replaced the electrical wire coming from battery adding a fuse box to run accessories separately. The original wire installed was a marine grade Romex, the wire used as replacement is a water-resistant flexible wire. Another type of wire that can be used in this application is for Malibu yard lights that is buried in ground, this works great as well. Since I went in changing boat side wire, I also had to replace the wire on each DR to custom fit & reach outlets




3-Pronge Twist Lock
 

Water resistant flexible wire
Part number info on wire

Thanks for the pics Roger and the added info. I finally got around to troubleshooting my DR and it was indeed the plug, no power coming through but after cutting off the plug and checking the wires to the internal part of the DR they were good, looks like it was just the positive wire that was bad. Did you by chance check the price of a new cable going to the internal part of your DR? I think I'll call Cannon tomorrow and see if they have a replacement plug or cable before I change to another setup. In case they don't have replacement parts, did you order your 3 prong plug on line or did you find them locally?

[BoatBallast]

Thanks for the pics Roger and the added info. I finally got around to troubleshooting my DR and it was indeed the plug, no power coming through but after cutting off the plug and checking the wires to the internal part of the DR they were good, looks like it was just the positive wire that was bad. Did you by chance check the price of a new cable going to the internal part of your DR? I think I'll call Cannon tomorrow and see if they have a replacement plug or cable before I change to another setup. In case they don't have replacement parts, did you order your 3 prong plug on line or did you find them locally?

They'll tell you that you have to send your whole downrigger in for a new wire and plug.  Been there, done that. 

Best thing to do is replace the cable ends.  I ordered the Marinco connectors online.

[wiperhunter2]

Thanks for the pics Roger and the added info. I finally got around to troubleshooting my DR and it was indeed the plug, no power coming through but after cutting off the plug and checking the wires to the internal part of the DR they were good, looks like it was just the positive wire that was bad. Did you by chance check the price of a new cable going to the internal part of your DR? I think I'll call Cannon tomorrow and see if they have a replacement plug or cable before I change to another setup. In case they don't have replacement parts, did you order your 3 prong plug on line or did you find them locally?

They'll tell you that you have to send your whole downrigger in for a new wire and plug.  Been there, done that. 

Best thing to do is replace the cable ends.  I ordered the Marinco connectors online.

I went right to the cannon web site and they have the plug and cable in stock for $36, at another web site, I found one for $31, it's easy to replace, so I'll go that route but if I ever have this issue again, I'll likely go that other route that Roger suggested or even go with the house plug connection that Scott suggested, that would be easier to find I think.

[bone8]

I took BoatBallest advice and went with the Marinco plug on my downrigger that was giving me problems and i haven't had a single issue since so i just wanted to take the time and say thank you

[Bduck]

Glad you got it repaired. It’s hard to get a good deal anymore for parts as we are digging deep in the pockets. 
I use this site occasionally listed
www.newwiremarine.com

[N.E.T.O.]

I really liked the Marinco plugs on my old Scotty Downriggers. New boat came with Cannon downriggers and cannon plugs. Just had to replace the battery side cable/plug on the starboard side of the boat a couple weeks ago. Both downriggers worked on Port side, neither worked on Starboard...Fuse/circuit breaker was good...problem was literally in the non-servicable (sealed) plug portion.

Considered replacing with the Marincos but wanted to just get it done...bought the repacement Cannon plug. done. Not a good design.

[dubob]

Not doubting anybody else's issues with plugs, but I've been using Cannon D/Rs for 18 years with Cannon plugs.  I've never had an issue with a Cannon plug.  I will say that Marinco products are excellent, and I've used then as well on other things in my boats; as in shore power cable applications.  Never had issues with them either.