i-Pilot battery replacement

If you have not yet replaced the single CR-2450 lithium coin-type battery in your i-P remote, you may be in for a surprise. Only when you get to the Remote Battery Replacement page in the Owner's Manual do you discover that all CR-2450 batteries are not the same! The Manual warns that Panasonic brand batteries will not work. It doesn't warn that other brands of CR-2450 cells also don't work!

Apparently, there are differences in the dimensions of cells by different manufacturers and the cell holder on the circuit board of the i-P remote is designed so it's contact points do not hit the Panasonic cell in the right places. After purchasing a supply of generic cells (possibly manufactured by Panasonic), I discovered that they will not work. The cells are fully charged, but they will not power the remote.

Since the Terrova operates with either the remote or foot controls, I can always put the remote aside and finish my day using the foot control. Those of you who have added i-Ps to PowerDrives will not have that option. When your CR-2450 finally croaks, you'll be unhappy if your backup battery does not work. Energizer brand cells work, so my onboard backup battery for the i-P remote will be one of that brand.

sounds like you are very unhappy with your i-pilot. i never knew batteries of the same number of being a different size before. hmmm. learn something almost every day.

The correct battery replacement has a N on the end. It has a ridge that is different than the standard one. I had a local Batteries Plus order a few and keep them in the tackle box. My store usually keeps one in stock but not always.

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Originally Posted by olduckhunter

sounds like you are very unhappy with your i-pilot. i never knew batteries of the same number of being a different size before. hmmm. learn something almost every day.

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No, I love the i-P...but it's frustrating when things like this happen. Like you, I've never seen a replacement battery with the same number that wouldn't work. :confused:

I fish a few TMO lakes that involve a 2+ mile run from/to the ramp. As a Terrova owner, battery failure would be inconvenient at the other end of the lake. PowerDrive owners with add-on i-Ps would face a more serious problem. I can simply switch to my foot control if the remote craps out, they can't. If the i-P remote's battery fails, they have no other way to operate the PD. Time to get out the paddle. :eek::(

I'm with Rwindis, I bought three from batteries plus and have them stored in the boat to replace as needed. Already used one of them, and it worked fine.

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Originally Posted by Corker

No, I love the i-P...but it's frustrating when things like this happen. Like you, I've never seen a replacement battery with the same number that wouldn't work. :confused:

I fish a few TMO lakes that involve a 2+ mile run from/to the ramp. As a Terrova owner, battery failure would be inconvenient at the other end of the lake. PowerDrive owners with add-on i-Ps would face a more serious problem. I can simply switch to my foot control if the remote craps out, they can't. If the i-P remote's battery fails, they have no other way to operate the PD. Time to get out the paddle. :eek::(

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But they do have an option.;)

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/fishi...ltiplexer.html

looks simple to me, if you need a replacement do no buy panasonic brand battery and all will be fine correct?

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Originally Posted by Corker

If you have not yet replaced the single CR-2450 lithium coin-type battery in your i-P remote, you may be in for a surprise. Only when you get to the Remote Battery Replacement page in the Owner's Manual do you discover that all CR-2450 batteries are not the same! The Manual warns that Panasonic brand batteries will not work. It doesn't warn that other brands of CR-2450 cells also don't work!

Apparently, there are differences in the dimensions of cells by different manufacturers and the cell holder on the circuit board of the i-P remote is designed so it's contact points do not hit the Panasonic cell in the right places. After purchasing a supply of generic cells (possibly manufactured by Panasonic), I discovered that they will not work. The cells are fully charged, but they will not power the remote.

Since the Terrova operates with either the remote or foot controls, I can always put the remote aside and finish my day using the foot control. Those of you who have added i-Ps to PowerDrives will not have that option. When your CR-2450 finally croaks, you'll be unhappy if your backup battery does not work. Energizer brand cells work, so my onboard backup battery for the i-P remote will be one of that brand.

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thanks foe the heads up and i know what your saying why cant things be more standed :)

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Originally Posted by Corker

If you have not yet replaced the single CR-2450 lithium coin-type battery in your i-P remote, you may be in for a surprise. Only when you get to the Remote Battery Replacement page in the Owner's Manual do you discover that all CR-2450 batteries are not the same! The Manual warns that Panasonic brand batteries will not work. It doesn't warn that other brands of CR-2450 cells also don't work!

Apparently, there are differences in the dimensions of cells by different manufacturers and the cell holder on the circuit board of the i-P remote is designed so it's contact points do not hit the Panasonic cell in the right places. After purchasing a supply of generic cells (possibly manufactured by Panasonic), I discovered that they will not work. The cells are fully charged, but they will not power the remote.

Since the Terrova operates with either the remote or foot controls, I can always put the remote aside and finish my day using the foot control. Those of you who have added i-Ps to PowerDrives will not have that option. When your CR-2450 finally croaks, you'll be unhappy if your backup battery does not work. Energizer brand cells work, so my onboard backup battery for the i-P remote will be one of that brand.

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User error... If you would have ordered the correct battery, "CR2450N" then you would have had no problem what so ever!!!

If you open the picture of the back of the remote in this link you can see the number on the battery::

Introduction to MinnKota's i-Pilot

JABBO I opened the link and it looks like two numbers. one on the battery and just under the battery to the right is another and it does not have an N at the end. this site is so helpfull when it comes to anything. I am still looking for the replacement battery here. no luck so far, hope I can find one locally. guess I may have to order one

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Originally Posted by JABBO

User error... If you would have ordered the correct battery, "CR2450N" then you would have had no problem what so ever!!!

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I certainly make my share of errors, but this was not one of them.

The iPilot Owner's Manual includes clear instruction for battery replacement:
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...eplacement.jpg

From these unambiguous instructions, I learned that iP owners should:
a) avoid Panasonic brand batteries, and
b) purchase CR2450 replacement batteries

I did both. Nothing is mentioned about an "N" variation and there's no mention that brands other than Panasonic also will not work.

On the back of the remote control, MK repeats the instruction to replace the battery with a CR2450. Again, no mention of a "N" sub-type.
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...te_control.jpg

This is simply a case of first generation product material containing bugs which will be worked out as the iPilot product matures. My purpose in starting this thread was to alert other iP owners to the possibility of wasting money on batteries that will not work.

and it was appreciated,

I had my wife call minkota and they said a energizer CR2450 the N didnt matter

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Originally Posted by Corker

I certainly make my share of errors, but this was not one of them.

The iPilot Owner's Manual includes clear instruction for battery replacement:
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...eplacement.jpg

From these unambiguous instructions, I learned that iP owners should:
a) avoid Panasonic brand batteries, and
b) purchase CR2450 replacement batteries

I did both. Nothing is mentioned about an "N" variation and there's no mention that brands other than Panasonic also will not work.

On the back of the remote control, MK repeats the instruction to replace the battery with a CR2450. Again, no mention of a "N" sub-type.
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...te_control.jpg

This is simply a case of first generation product material containing bugs which will be worked out as the iPilot product matures. My purpose in starting this thread was to alert other iP owners to the possibility of wasting money on batteries that will not work.

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I think my wife picked me one up at radio shack. Dont know the brand but it does have the 'N' at the end...

I am a bit confused here. After reading this I bought another energizer cr2450 from Walmart(without an N) and it work's just fine. My advice is to just buy one and check it first to make sure it works.

I don't think it's the "N" that causes the problem. I believe it's the different brands. I read somewhere that the size can vary slightly between manufacturers. I'll see if I can find that again.

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Originally Posted by Barnacle Bill

I don't think it's the "N" that causes the problem. I believe it's the different brands. I read somewhere that the size can vary slightly between manufacturers. I'll see if I can find that again.

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Bill- I've found the cause & solution to this problem & posted it here.

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Originally Posted by Corker

Bill- I've found the cause & solution to this problem & posted it here.

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Thanks I missed that post and I do believe your fix would do it.

Just thought I'd let ya'll know....I ordered some CR2450Ns from this place and they came in Friday and worked like a charm. Matter of fact, it's the same mfg as was in the remote...although I purchased my motor used so I can't say for sure that it was factory installed.

Anyway...$.99 each and free shipping. Best price by far I found.

Imperial Watches @ Amazon.com: CR2450N

Wannabe...

Just an update. I replaced my remote battery with an Energizer brand standard CR2450 and it worked fine. I also have a backup battery and a stubby Phillips screwdriver on board.

i use duracell 2450 and works fine.new remotes have slide door,no screwdriver needed:crazy:

mine has yet to go dead but after a full year and alot of use i decided to replace as a precausionary measure, i went to radio shack and got thier evercell brand, the guy said i should get several years out of those batteries, he said they were some of the best, they should be at $8 a piece. what kinda life expectancy is everyone getting out of there original batteries?

Two years going on 3. Fishin maybe 15 times a year

I've had my IP for 1 year now and have not replaced my remote battery yet.

Had mine for 2 years and battery still going fine. Keep 10 spares in truck , boat and tackle boxes.

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Originally Posted by gobbler

mine has yet to go dead but after a full year and alot of use i decided to replace as a precausionary measure, i went to radio shack and got thier evercell brand, the guy said i should get several years out of those batteries, he said they were some of the best, they should be at $8 a piece. what kinda life expectancy is everyone getting out of there original batteries?

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$8 a piece is a rip off. You can get them off the internet for $1 each and they are the same brand that came in the remote.
SeaRay

Oops I mispoke. The Renata brand is $3.00 other brands of 2450N run from $1 to $4.
SeaRay