I-Pilot Remote Question

I just ordered a Power Drive 55 with I Pilot and had a small question that I cant find the answer on,,, What is the power sorce for the i-Pilot Remote?? Is it re-chargable or do I have to replace them when they go bad?? How well does the compartment stay watertight if you do have to replace them over time?,,Now that I wont have the foot pedal for backup I dont want to be stuck with the remote not working...
Man Im stoked, cant wait for it to get here, Ive hated the old cable motorguide I have for 5 years now,,,come on trolling season,,, Wont be long...
Jumping Jacks Icon
Thanks guys..
PJ

It takes one of those coin style batteries, and I think you have to be careful of the brand. I just picked up a spare when I bought my I-Pilot and keep it in the tackle box. I haven't had a water problems myself.

I forget the number of the battery and brand name but it's in your owners manual (when you recieve the tm). I went ahead and bought a new battery at Walmart. I installed it to make sure it would work since there was a pretty lengthy thread with concerns about the numbers being different than what was initially in the remote. After making sure the spare battery worked I switched 'em back and the one that came in the remote is still holding up great. I have had my trolling motor (same as what you are waiting on to arive) for a year now (using it on average 2-3 days a week...every week) and havent had an issue with a dead battery....yet. My remote has been wet from rain several times and hasnt had any problems.

Thanks guys...
Gabowman,
How do you like not having the foot pedal?? Little worried about that for things like shooting docks where you have to keep the boat positioned just right...
PJ

PJ, I'm a longliner and think this I-pilot is the cream of the crop. That being said, I also do some spider rigging just bumping along and everything is fine. I stepped up to the I-pilot from a bow mounted hand control trolling motor and was a little concerned about only having the remote to power it but I've not had a single problem. It wont take you long until you'll know every button on the remote without ever having to look. Depending on your boat, you may fall in love with the spot lock feature for shooting docks.;)

p.s.: I still have my old hand controlled motor should anything ever happen and I have to send my tm in to the shop for repairs. I've ran MinnKota's all my life and have had VERY FEW problems out of any of them. And what little problems I did have was mainly from abuse.:o

cr2450 batteries, I think you are not supposed to use Panasonics for some reason, check the manual to be sure. You can find them on Amazon pretty cheap.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by puddle jumper

I just ordered a Power Drive 55 with I Pilot and had a small question that I cant find the answer on,,, What is the power sorce for the i-Pilot Remote?? Is it re-chargable or do I have to replace them when they go bad?? How well does the compartment stay watertight if you do have to replace them over time?,,Now that I wont have the foot pedal for backup I dont want to be stuck with the remote not working...
Man Im stoked, cant wait for it to get here, Ive hated the old cable motorguide I have for 5 years now,,,come on trolling season,,, Wont be long...
Jumping Jacks Icon
Thanks guys..
PJ

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I'm a terrova owner myself, but I seem to recall that Cane Pole has an add-on that will let you use your foot pedal. Don't know the details, you'll have to ast him.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by puddle jumper

Thanks guys...
Gabowman,
How do you like not having the foot pedal?? Little worried about that for things like shooting docks where you have to keep the boat positioned just right...
PJ

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You can still have the peddal............... You can use 1 or the other.......... I wouldnt have just the remote. There are 2 many instances where you need the foot pedal.... Just like shooting docks. My pedal is hooked up in the front of the boat at all times. The remote just over rides the pedal when the remote is on...........

Oh and Yeah. THE I-PILOT ROCKS!!!!!

Oh crap fellas, I have a terrova, that may be different....

Mine is Terrova also. The Terrova will allow you to use foot control or I-Pilot remote. The 55# PD model's foot control will be diasabled with the I-Pilot.

It took me over a year of HEAVY Fishing to finally run the remote batteries down. They hold up very well. I have fished in all kinds of weather and have had no issues with water in the remote. I did have a little trouble with the buttons being very stiff one morning when it was 15 degrees outside lol.. I love my I-Pilot.

I may be wrong but from the ads I've seen for the PD with Ipilot it does not come with a foot pedal. However Cane Pole can build a system that will allow it, but you have to have a foot pedal.
I think that's how I read it.??

You aren't able to use the foot pedal with a Powerdrive motor. That is, unless you get CanePole to do an upgrade for you. So I guess if you buy a new Powerdrive with the I-Pilot installed, I doubt a foot pedal would come with it. Most of us with the I-Pilot now, have converted them, so we still have a foot pedal collecting dust. Personally I never ever used my foot pedal. I got a Co-Pilot first, then upgraded to the I-Pilot.