It’s terrifying when your trolling motor suddenly stops working. It’s even worse if you are miles away from the shore.

We understand your worries, which is why we’ve come to help you!

So, what’s the reason behind your minn kota trolling motor no power?

There are several reasons for a minn kota trolling motor to run out of power. It can run out of battery or some parts may have come loose. Some wires might have melted or some internal parts have corroded. Water plants might get wrapped in the propeller causing overheating. All of these problems, however, are simple to resolve.

In this article, we’ve jotted down some reasons and their solutions. So, let’s get right down to the nitty-gritty.

Minn Kota Trolling Motor Having No Power – 6 Possible Causes

Trolling motors can lose power for a variety of causes. We have mentioned 6 probable culprits behind this issue. So figure out which one is yours and solve it accordingly.

1. Dead Battery

The first thing to check when your motor won’t even power up is the battery. The battery may have been exhausted if you are out on the water for a long time.

If the motor has been sitting for a long time or has been continuously running, the battery could easily run out. Check for battery levels in your motor. If they are at a low level, this is the most likely reason.

Solution

When you reach home, put the battery on the charge. If it’s charging, there’s nothing to stress about. When your motor is fully charged, it will have power.

But if the battery is not charging properly, you need to replace it.

2. Broken or Loose Wires

Vibrations caused by repeated use often cause wires to come loose, causing the electrical circuit to fail.

Thoroughly check for any wire ends that aren’t connected. Or if one of them is broken or even melted.

Solution

You can simply reconnect the wires if it looks to be detached. While you are at it, reconnect the field wires of the alternator field disconnect as well. These usually come off when there’s a sudden power cut.

But if you have no idea about the wires and ports, it’s better to check the user manual. In case of melted or broken wire, you need to replace it.

3. Loose Internal Components

Internal components may get loosened as well due to frequent use. Inside the motorhead, the washers, gaskets, nuts, and gears can all get separated. This will result in power loss.

Even if all of the cables are connected properly, check the internal parts to be sure.

Solution

If any internal components have come loose, carefully remove them. Check the manual to see which goes where and tighten them in their place.

Sometimes it can be just the screws and plates that have come to lose. Carefully put them in the right place and screw them in.

4. Corrosion of Internal Parts

The majority of trolling motors have outer protective coverings to keep water and dust out. However, even a minor crack on the exterior layer might trigger internal corrosion.

Rusting can be seen on the gears, screws, and other components. This prevents the motor from functioning properly. This can happen if your motor wasn’t stored properly or you have bought a second-hand trolling motor.

Solution

If any part is corroded, it needs to be replaced immediately. Depending on the part, if you have adequate understanding, you can easily replace it.

Or else you need to take it to a repair shop and get it serviced professionally.

5. Electrical problems

Trolling motors can suddenly stop working because of motor overload which trips the circuit breaker. This usually happens if something is tangled in the propellers.

Or if the motor has been stressed beyond its capacity. In such cases, the engine won’t start.

Conduct a thorough examination of the circuit breaker if you suspect it has failed. It’s crucial to figure out what triggered the circuit breaker in the first place.

Solution

To reset the circuit breaker, press the breaker button. You may have a short in one of the wires if it continues to go out frequently. Unless you can figure out which wire is bad, you’ll have to take it to a repair shop.

Motor Thrust/Model:	Circuit Breaker:
30 lb.	50A 12 VDC
40 – 45 lb.	50A 12 VDC
50 – 55 lb.	60A 12 VDC
70 lb.	50A 24 VDC
80 lb.	60A 24 VDC
101 lb.	50A 36 VDC
Engine Mount 101	60A 36 VDC
112 lb.	60A 36 VDC
Engine Mount 160	(2) x 60A 24 VDC
E-Drive	50A 48 VDC
Talon Shallow Water Anchor	50A 12 VDC
Raptor Shallow Water Anchor	50A 12 VDC

6. Propeller Problems

A short circuit can sometimes occur due to an overworked battery. This happens when the propeller is tangled with water plants or fishing lines. Sometimes the internal wires can melt due to overheating.

You need to check your propeller if the circuits and connections appear to be in good order.

Solution

If you come across anything caught in the propeller or around the motorhead, gently remove it. Try to restart the motor by resetting the circuit breaker. The motor will be able to restart without further issues.

If somehow the wires are broken or melted, do not attempt to start the motor. They must be replaced before the motor may be used again.

Hopefully, these tips will reignite the motor. But to avoid future problems you need to maintain your trolling motor properly. Don’t forget to recharge your battery after every use.

7. Boat Wiring

If you are having issues with your Minn Kota trolling motor not turning over, there is a good chance your boat wiring is the issue. When a trolling motor becomes non-functional, it can usually be traced back to a bad or corroded battery cable or faulty wiring in the boat. By checking these areas first, you can often save yourself a lot of time and hassle down the road.

To test whether your trolling motor is really not turning over, disconnect the battery and use an ohmmeter to measure the resistance between each terminal on the battery.

If there is significant resistance present between any two terminals, then it’s likely that something is wrong with the wiring in your boat. In some cases, corrosion on battery cables can cause significant resistance when they are connected together.

Solution

Follow these steps to troubleshoot and fix the problem:

1. Check the battery voltage. This is usually 12 volts but can vary depending on how much charge is left in the battery. If the voltage is low, then there may be a problem with the battery or cable connection.

2. Make sure alligator clips are properly connected to both ends of the power cable.

3. Check for loose connections at either end of the power cable.

4. Try another power source, such as an engine block connector or cigarette lighter socket onshore. If none of these solutions work, then it may be necessary to replace the trolling motor battery or wiring assembly

FAQs

1. Is it possible to use a generator to operate a trolling motor?

The only way to use a generator to power your trolling motor is to use an RV Converter. This device converts 120 volts AC to 12 volts DC.

2. What size battery is required for the Minn Kota trolling motor?

Any lead-acid, deep-cycle marine 12-volt battery will power a Minn Kota trolling motor. You can use at least a 110-ampere-hour deep-cycle marine battery.

3. When it comes to electric trolling motors, how long do they last?

A 24-volt trolling motor should run at least 8-10 hours and possibly many days before needing new or renewed batteries.

4. Is there a fuse in a Minn Kota trolling motor?

There is a fuse in a Minn Kota trolling motor. If the trolling motor does not have a fuse, it can cause an electrical fire. To check for a fuse, remove the cover on the trolling motor and look for a blown or melted fuse. If there is no blown or melted fuse, replace the trolling motor’s electrical cord with one that has a fuse.

Conclusion

That’s all we had regarding the minn kota trolling motor no power. We hope we could assist you in resolving the issue.

But if you are not confident enough to fix the problem don’t hesitate to ask a professional.

Till then good luck and stay safe!