Minn Kota issue

[Kent]

I just started having issues with my Minn Kota Terrova.  When I have had it running, either moving to a new location or when using spot -lock, after a brief time, I get the message "Motor not found" on my iPilot Link.  At that point the Terrova stops and if on spot-lock, spot-lock releases.  After a brief moment it links again, but it doesn't last.  I tried running it, at home while the boat was on its trailer, and I experienced the same issues.  Interestingly, I ran the iPilot Link app, on my smartphone, simultaneously with the iPilot Link handheld unit, and they both gave the "Motor not found" message at the exact same time.  I also tried using spot-lock and then turning off my iPilot Link remote and the iPilot Link app, and the Terrova would turn the prop off and on, for several minutes, (trying to return to the spot-lock point) and then the unit shut off.  To me, these actions would indicate that the problem is on the Terrova and not on the iPilot Link. I also found it interesting that when I used spot-lock, while the boat was on my trailer, that despite the trailer being stationary the iPilot Link showed that the Terrova had moved as far as 13' from where it was when spot-lock was initiated.  The Terrova would be aggressively running and turning the prop trying to get back to the GPS point, while sitting stationary on the trailer.  Does anyone have any suggestions on what I need to do to get it working correctly again?

[Jig-fisher]

What type of batteries are you running? I had similar issues with my Terrova, even taking it in to a repair place in Orem. They couldn't find anything wrong with it when they tested it. I ultimately had my batteries tested and found that one of my 2 batteries was bad and not holding a charge. Replaced the batteries and everything worked again. It could be something completely different, but I would check there 1st.

[dubob]

What type of batteries are you running? I had similar issues with my Terrova, even taking it in to a repair place in Orem. They couldn't find anything wrong with it when they tested it. I ultimately had my batteries tested and found that one of my 2 batteries was bad and not holding a charge. Replaced the batteries and everything worked again. It could be something completely different, but I would check there 1st.

Agree!  Have both battery(s) tested at your local battery shop.  Also, check all of the connections in the battery cable path between battery(s) and Terrova for loose or corroded connections.

[Redrebel]

What type of batteries are you running? I had similar issues with my Terrova, even taking it in to a repair place in Orem. They couldn't find anything wrong with it when they tested it. I ultimately had my batteries tested and found that one of my 2 batteries was bad and not holding a charge. Replaced the batteries and everything worked again. It could be something completely different, but I would check there 1st.

Agree!  Have both battery(s) tested at your local battery shop.  Also, check all of the connections in the battery cable path between battery(s) and Terrova for loose or corroded connections.

+1

[Kent]

Thanks for the suggestions to check the batteries and cables. I hope that is the issue, rather than something expensive on the Minn Kota.

[Kent]

What type of batteries are you running? I had similar issues with my Terrova, even taking it in to a repair place in Orem. They couldn't find anything wrong with it when they tested it. I ultimately had my batteries tested and found that one of my 2 batteries was bad and not holding a charge. Replaced the batteries and everything worked again. It could be something completely different, but I would check there 1st.

Agree!  Have both battery(s) tested at your local battery shop.  Also, check all of the connections in the battery cable path between battery(s) and Terrova for loose or corroded connections.

If it is battery related, shouldn't I need to push the power button, on the Terrova, after each time I have experienced one of the issues that I described above?  The power button remains on after each episode.

[Redrebel]

What type of batteries are you running? I had similar issues with my Terrova, even taking it in to a repair place in Orem. They couldn't find anything wrong with it when they tested it. I ultimately had my batteries tested and found that one of my 2 batteries was bad and not holding a charge. Replaced the batteries and everything worked again. It could be something completely different, but I would check there 1st.

Agree!  Have both battery(s) tested at your local battery shop.  Also, check all of the connections in the battery cable path between battery(s) and Terrova for loose or corroded connections.

If it is battery related, shouldn't I need to push the power button, on the Terrova, after each time I have experienced one of the issues that I described above?  The power button remains on after each episode.

No, the unit may power on but you may experience issues like you have stated. I was on strawberry when it happened to me on my old unit. New batteries and problems solved. Same thing happens in your cars when batteries start to die. Your car will start and run but you might experience other little electrical issues. With that being said you are starting a trouble shooting process. We may be incorrect but it is the best place to start.

[Kent]

What type of batteries are you running? I had similar issues with my Terrova, even taking it in to a repair place in Orem. They couldn't find anything wrong with it when they tested it. I ultimately had my batteries tested and found that one of my 2 batteries was bad and not holding a charge. Replaced the batteries and everything worked again. It could be something completely different, but I would check there 1st.

Agree!  Have both battery(s) tested at your local battery shop.  Also, check all of the connections in the battery cable path between battery(s) and Terrova for loose or corroded connections.

If it is battery related, shouldn't I need to push the power button, on the Terrova, after each time I have experienced one of the issues that I described above?  The power button remains on after each episode.

No, the unit may power on but you may experience issues like you have stated. I was on strawberry when it happened to me on my old unit. New batteries and problems solved. Same thing happens in your cars when batteries start to die. Your car will start and run but you might experience other little electrical issues. With that being said you are starting a trouble shooting process. We may be incorrect but it is the best place to start.

Thanks.  I'm getting ready to tear into it.  I just wish my trolling motor batteries weren't put in such an inaccessible place on my boat.

[Kent]

I discovered that one of my batteries was bad. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

[Jig-fisher]

Glad we could help.

[Kent]

Still puzzled about the MinnKota thinking the boat is moving when the boat is on a parked trailer. Hopefully, it doesn't get when it is on Spot lock on the water.

[Redrebel]

Still puzzled about the MinnKota thinking the boat is moving when the boat is on a parked trailer. Hopefully, it doesn't get when it is on Spot lock on the water.

Assuming you put two Or three (depending on your voltage) new batteries in I would next check your GPS signal strength. If you are showing one bar or below, there may be some type of interference. Has the control head been struck by anything or rough road or ride?

[dubob]

Still puzzled about the MinnKota thinking the boat is moving when the boat is on a parked trailer. Hopefully, it doesn't get when it is on Spot lock on the water.

Assuming you put two Or three (depending on your voltage) new batteries in I would next check your GPS signal strength. If you are showing one bar or below, there may be some type of interference. Has the control head been struck by anything or rough road or ride?

Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites are in a sweet spot known as semi-synchronous orbits. While geosynchronous orbits match the rotation of Earth (24 hours), semi-synchronous orbits take 12 hours to complete an orbit.  Since the location of the satellite is changing at a different rate than the earth's rotation, an error is introduced causing you to see a shift in location over time.  Also, signal levels fluctuate due to different rotation speeds causing the number of satellites locked onto to change over time which in turn has an impact on accuracy.  Military equipment has safeguards built in to compensate for these small errors; most civilian equipment we use does not.

[RILEYFISH]

Still puzzled about the MinnKota thinking the boat is moving when the boat is on a parked trailer. Hopefully, it doesn't get when it is on Spot lock on the water.

Its not uncommon Kent for your GPS positioning to be off as much as up to 20'. this is due to the positioning of the sattelites As Dubob stated. I would not worry to much about that personally. Good luck, keep us updated.

[Kent]

Thanks for the responses.