switching autopilot to ipilot

**jthompsonjr** · 09-08-2014, 07:57 PM

I have a minn kota riptide 70 pound thrust trolling motor, about 6 years old. Had some trouble with it lately and thought the issue was either the remote or the autopilot feature.

Friend of mine has a spare i-pilot he didn't use--still in the box-- and said I could try it to see if it'd work.

So far I have found out that it fits, but seems to be missing a cable. I looked up a video on Youtube about switching it out and it said to remove the autopilot and the install i-pilot. Looks like my iPilot is missing some sort of control cable. There's a short cable with a yellow cap--that's the only thing coming out of the i-pilot (the autopilot had 6 wires connecting it to the trolling motor base). To me it looks like I should have a control cable that runs from the i-Pilot to something on the base of the motor.

Hard to explain, so has anyone had any luck switching out an auto pilot with an i-Pilot? So far Minn Kota hasn't responded to my email. Looks like I can get the missing cable and be in business (to at least see if this will work).

Gotta get it fixed and catch some fall crappie....

**boots** · 09-08-2014, 09:59 PM

Jtomp. Not knowing where you live but their is a place in Kannapolis NC called "Fishermans Frind" that carries a full lie of parts for the I-pilot I did the samething that you are talking abut a few years back, he only charged a few $ to install it.

**gobbler** · 09-09-2014, 06:45 AM

Not sure about the cables but I had a minor problem with my ipilot read about it and found all I had to do was unplug it for a minute then plug it back up and it has worked great, fished a tx a while back and a competitor was having the same problem, I told him the fix and in no time his was working normally also,the problem was while cruising along the motor would suddenly turn way ofcourse

**SEA DANCER** · 09-09-2014, 08:18 AM

Coastline Service Center in Goldsboro, NC is Minn Kota Factory rep and service and parts. 919 736-3859. They can tell you if you need a cable and ship it to you in two days.

**monkscrappie** · 09-09-2014, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by boots

Jtomp. Not knowing where you live but their is a place in Kannapolis NC called "Fishermans Frind" that carries a full lie of parts for the I-pilot I did the samething that you are talking abut a few years back, he only charged a few $ to install it.

Someone told me "Fisherman's Friend" had retired. Call before you make a trip.

Monk

**JordanLimit** · 09-09-2014, 09:07 AM

Just had my trolling motor to the Coastline guys in Goldsboro. They did a good job and it is working great.

**Cray** · 09-09-2014, 09:13 AM

I watched 2-3 of those videos. You are correct in that if you have a Ipilot head designed for the SP motor it should have 2 wires and a cable with a plug on the end to mate with the plug where you disconnect the foot pedal. Looks like that cable would be about 3 ft long. Is your buddy's motor a SP or V2 motor or a Terrova?

**Cray** · 09-09-2014, 09:18 AM

From watching this video and your description, you have a IPilot for Terrova which will not work on your motor.
i-Pilot Installation for Terrova - YouTube

**jthompsonjr** · 09-09-2014, 07:18 PM

Yep just heard back from Minn Kota that it won't work.

I heard Fisherman's Friend retired. I'm in Albemarle (just east of Charlotte) and don't know of anyone within a couple hours that works on these motors. I actually think it's fried but wondering if there's a board or something I can order to replace it. I want an iPilot now anyway but if I'm gonna pay to upgrade I might be better off biting the bullet and getting a whole new unit.

**Cray** · 09-09-2014, 10:02 PM

Home

Call and talk to Jack. He will walk you through trouble shooting and can get you any part you need.

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