Manually stowed my Ulterra, how to hook back up?

First things first....

If you own an Ulterra, look up how to manually stow it and practice that, ON DRY LAND!

I had a small tree limb and I mean small, get stuck in the base of my Ulterra and it would not stow. It would raise to the top like normal, but it wouldn't flip back to stow. I tried it, over and over and over and over.

So, I had to look up how to manually stow it. Thankfully I had cell service. It's not difficult, but I'm glad I had both a phillips and flat head screwdriver in the boat. You need both...

So I got it flipped up and on the ramp, and the stupid little twig unwedged out of it, but the stowing motor, with the acme rod, rolled the "hookup" (not the techincal term) for the motor up past where the motor will hook to it. I think it's electronically locked out. If I could get the motor to run the bracket out 1/2" or so, I could hook everything back up, but when I power on the trolling motor, it immediately shows a fault and will not try and deploy. If I can get that motor to "deploy" just a little, then pause the operation, I can hook everything back like it goes.

Can anyone give me the insight on how to do that? I could disassemble that bracket and roll the "nut" on the acme thread out, but I don't know what sort of mechanism the TM uses to know it's in it's fully stowed position, so I don't know if that would mess up the stow and deploy since the motor wouldn't actually be in the place that it thought it would. That may not make one lick of sense to anyone but me, but....

And, while you have your motor apart, ON DRY LAND, practicing this manual stowing, go ahead and take one of the side plate screws to the hardware store so you can get a couple of extras. They are highly attracted to water and will jump out of the hole and splash down, given half an oppotunity.

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Originally Posted by FurFlyin

First things first....

If you own an Ulterra, look up how to manually stow it and practice that, ON DRY LAND!

I had a small tree limb and I mean small, get stuck in the base of my Ulterra and it would not stow. It would raise to the top like normal, but it wouldn't flip back to stow. I tried it, over and over and over and over.

So, I had to look up how to manually stow it. Thankfully I had cell service. It's not difficult, but I'm glad I had both a phillips and flat head screwdriver in the boat. You need both...

So I got it flipped up and on the ramp, and the stupid little twig unwedged out of it, but the stowing motor, with the acme rod, rolled the "hookup" (not the techincal term) for the motor up past where the motor will hook to it. I think it's electronically locked out. If I could get the motor to run the bracket out 1/2" or so, I could hook everything back up, but when I power on the trolling motor, it immediately shows a fault and will not try and deploy. If I can get that motor to "deploy" just a little, then pause the operation, I can hook everything back like it goes.

Can anyone give me the insight on how to do that? I could disassemble that bracket and roll the "nut" on the acme thread out, but I don't know what sort of mechanism the TM uses to know it's in it's fully stowed position, so I don't know if that would mess up the stow and deploy since the motor wouldn't actually be in the place that it thought it would. That may not make one lick of sense to anyone but me, but....

And, while you have your motor apart, ON DRY LAND, practicing this manual stowing, go ahead and take one of the side plate screws to the hardware store so you can get a couple of extras. They are highly attracted to water and will jump out of the hole and splash down, given half an oppotunity.

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Those screws are not stocked in our local hardware store. Ask me how I know. 1/4 x20 half inch length. If they are too long, the motor will not fully deploy. Ask me how I know this too.

And, there end lies the issues with the Ulterra... AKA "The Turd" as I like to call it!

It was great in theory, and works good. Right up until you have a problem with it. I've seen my share of broken ones the past few months. Iced up parts that snap plastic, ruined tournament days, innacurate movements, and my personal pet peeve... needing to point the stupid remote directly at the darn thing to move it anyplace!

I have one I'll sell you. Less than 2 hours of use on it. I stand in the back of my boat and troll. With my Terrova, I NEVER look at the motor, I hit buttons. With this "Turd" I need to point the remote at it. I purchased it for my dad so he didn't have to stow and deploy the motor at the front of the boat. IF, and I say IF, they would make one that had a manual/auto deploy and would actually work when you hit a button without pointing the remote at it, I would consider it a win. Until that time, EVERY, and I mean EVERY one of these things that I have seen, touched, worked, and been associated with (quite a few) is garbage! Sure, it stows and deploys, when you don't have an issue, but that is about it.

As I said, I got one I would gladly sell to anyone.

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Originally Posted by wicklundrh

And, there end lies the issues with the Ulterra... AKA "The Turd" as I like to call it!

It was great in theory, and works good. Right up until you have a problem with it. I've seen my share of broken ones the past few months. Iced up parts that snap plastic, ruined tournament days, innacurate movements, and my personal pet peeve... needing to point the stupid remote directly at the darn thing to move it anyplace!

I have one I'll sell you. Less than 2 hours of use on it. I stand in the back of my boat and troll. With my Terrova, I NEVER look at the motor, I hit buttons. With this "Turd" I need to point the remote at it. I purchased it for my dad so he didn't have to stow and deploy the motor at the front of the boat. IF, and I say IF, they would make one that had a manual/auto deploy and would actually work when you hit a button without pointing the remote at it, I would consider it a win. Until that time, EVERY, and I mean EVERY one of these things that I have seen, touched, worked, and been associated with (quite a few) is garbage! Sure, it stows and deploys, when you don't have an issue, but that is about it.

As I said, I got one I would gladly sell to anyone.

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What's your, "I hate it and want to sell it," price? If it's cheap enough I'll pay you today and have one for spare parts.

I never, ever have to point the remote at mine.

Mine may never work right again, but it's been flawless to this point. I don't blame the motor for what happened yesterday. That little twig was wedged in there, right where the tilt release is. I'm a big ol corn fed country boy and I couldn't pull the stick out, until I got the motor stowed. Then it simply fell out.

Thanks for the measurements on the screws Cane Pole. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that you didn't learn the need for those on dry land either? :Rofl

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Originally Posted by wicklundrh

And, there end lies the issues with the Ulterra... AKA "The Turd" as I like to call it!

It was great in theory, and works good. Right up until you have a problem with it. I've seen my share of broken ones the past few months. Iced up parts that snap plastic, ruined tournament days, innacurate movements, and my personal pet peeve... needing to point the stupid remote directly at the darn thing to move it anyplace!

I have one I'll sell you. Less than 2 hours of use on it. I stand in the back of my boat and troll. With my Terrova, I NEVER look at the motor, I hit buttons. With this "Turd" I need to point the remote at it. I purchased it for my dad so he didn't have to stow and deploy the motor at the front of the boat. IF, and I say IF, they would make one that had a manual/auto deploy and would actually work when you hit a button without pointing the remote at it, I would consider it a win. Until that time, EVERY, and I mean EVERY one of these things that I have seen, touched, worked, and been associated with (quite a few) is garbage! Sure, it stows and deploys, when you don't have an issue, but that is about it.

As I said, I got one I would gladly sell to anyone.

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Come on out and tell us how you really feel. Don't hold nothing back. Lol

Sent from my SM-G900V using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

What about the Ultrex ? What do you know about them Rich ?

Cane Pole, I consider you to be a mechanical genius. How do I get that lever on the acme rod to move forward with the motor throwing an error code as soon as it's turned on?

Did you do the reset procedures? If not try them. If you cannot get the TM to function properly using the reste procedures, you will have to take it to a dealer to have them reset it.

https://minnkotamotors.johnsonoutdoo...anual-Stow.pdf

My Ulterra has never failed. In fact, I actually "failed" the Ulterra. I too it apart to see how it actually "ticks". Somehow another I misplaced the screws. I had some 3/4 inch screws, but they were too long. I just used an 1/4 20 nut for a spacer. The nuts are still on. Ha. Will replace when I pull off the lake this coming winter.

Also be reminded that there was/is a recall on some of the magnets used by the Ulterra (first try version) for position sensing. Make sure you also get this update.

I love the Ulterra. Great tool, especially for us old turds.

Another thing is to keep the acme screw clean and greased.

I have not done the reset procedure. On that water, I didn't have to do that. I could turn it off, and turn it back on and it would clear the fault. It's not really a "fault" now. The motor that stows the unit has run in too far. If I knew what made it stop, I could run the bracket back out and have it going again in 20 minutes. I do not see any external proximity switches..... I can take a couple of E clips off, pull the motor off and rotate the "nut" for the acme thread until it's back where it needs to be. My question is, if I do that, is the motor still going to think that it's pulled in too far?

For future reference, if anyone runs into the same issue. Pop off the E clips that hold the motor and tilt brackets in place. Roll the mechanism down the acme thread 3 turns, put it all back together and voila, it works again like new. While you've got the side plates off, clean and grease the acme thread as Cane Pole suggested, get the spider webs out of the housing and put it back together. RTF again.

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Originally Posted by FurFlyin

I have not done the reset procedure. On that water, I didn't have to do that. I could turn it off, and turn it back on and it would clear the fault. It's not really a "fault" now. The motor that stows the unit has run in too far. If I knew what made it stop, I could run the bracket back out and have it going again in 20 minutes. I do not see any external proximity switches..... I can take a couple of E clips off, pull the motor off and rotate the "nut" for the acme thread until it's back where it needs to be. My question is, if I do that, is the motor still going to think that it's pulled in too far?

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There are 2 external magnetic detectors. This could possibly be the problem. Let me look at my pictures and see if I can locate them. I changed mine out myself. MK set me the magnets to change out. They really didn't want to send he magnets. I convinced MK I was capable of changing magnets.
T

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Originally Posted by Cane Pole

There are 2 external magnetic detectors. This could possibly be the problem. Let me look at my pictures and see if I can locate them. I changed mine out myself. MK set me the magnets to change out. They really didn't want to send he magnets. I convinced MK I was capable of changing magnets.
T

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I got her fixed now. Thanks.

EDIT: I decided to try and fix it before I called MK. They would have wanted me to take it to a repair center. I would have had to convince them I was capable of taking 2 E clips off. LOL I don't blame them for not liking it when people work on their own motor but some of us do have a little sense.

My pics don't show them because I didn't have the covers removed (motor ramp side covers). Here is the diagram, items 192 and 60.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/01...43411980741086

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Originally Posted by FurFlyin

I got her fixed now. Thanks.

EDIT: I decided to try and fix it before I called MK. They would have wanted me to take it to a repair center. I would have had to convince them I was capable of taking 2 E clips off. LOL I don't blame them for not liking it when people work on their own motor but some of us do have a little sense.

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Good. I understand what U did.

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Originally Posted by wicklundrh

And, there end lies the issues with the Ulterra... AKA "The Turd" as I like to call it!

It was great in theory, and works good. Right up until you have a problem with it. I've seen my share of broken ones the past few months. Iced up parts that snap plastic, ruined tournament days, innacurate movements, and my personal pet peeve... needing to point the stupid remote directly at the darn thing to move it anyplace!

I have one I'll sell you. Less than 2 hours of use on it. I stand in the back of my boat and troll. With my Terrova, I NEVER look at the motor, I hit buttons. With this "Turd" I need to point the remote at it. I purchased it for my dad so he didn't have to stow and deploy the motor at the front of the boat. IF, and I say IF, they would make one that had a manual/auto deploy and would actually work when you hit a button without pointing the remote at it, I would consider it a win. Until that time, EVERY, and I mean EVERY one of these things that I have seen, touched, worked, and been associated with (quite a few) is garbage! Sure, it stows and deploys, when you don't have an issue, but that is about it.

As I said, I got one I would gladly sell to anyone.

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So. ........ How much do you want for the turd?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FurFlyin

I got her fixed now. Thanks.

EDIT: I decided to try and fix it before I called MK. They would have wanted me to take it to a repair center. I would have had to convince them I was capable of taking 2 E clips off. LOL I don't blame them for not liking it when people work on their own motor but some of us do have a little sense.

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If its yours, you paid for it, you should be able to repair it your self if you want to, MK should tell how to fix that problem, not tell you that you have to take to some one to get it fixed! I have heard many stories about this problem and how they had to sent it back or take it some where to get it fixed, thats why I haven't bought one, I like the idea but As much as I fish, it will give trouble some time and I want to be able to fix it myself. I have always fixed my trolling motors, have a power drive 2 that I have rebuilt 2 times, when I know I can repair that trolling motor, I will have one.

I had a robot named TURD. Some one here may remember back in 2004 when I built the submersible robot aka TURD or Tom's Underwater Robotic Device. The robot could easily dive 1 atmosphere. The umbilical cord was only 50 foot in length. Limits of life comes in 50's.

Attachment 309039

This is an intended distraction, of course.

Limits of life comes in 50's. Great I'm almost to one limit of life.

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Originally Posted by Countryboy N.C.

If its yours, you paid for it, you should be able to repair it your self if you want to, MK should tell how to fix that problem, not tell you that you have to take to some one to get it fixed! I have heard many stories about this problem and how they had to sent it back or take it some where to get it fixed, thats why I haven't bought one, I like the idea but As much as I fish, it will give trouble some time and I want to be able to fix it myself. I have always fixed my trolling motors, have a power drive 2 that I have rebuilt 2 times, when I know I can repair that trolling motor, I will have one.

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I don't blame them for not wanting your average Joe working on his trolling motor when it's still under warranty. I wouldn't want most of my customers working on things we do while they're under warranty.

Canepole, that is hilarious! Anything named "Turd" makes me laugh.

I would say the up, down, stow, and deploy works good. The head is quite sloppy compared to the Terrova and I wouldn't consider trailering it without a RAM mount. My terrova (actually 2 of them) doesn't require it.

I guess for me, it isn't smooth. I've oiled it, greased it, and so on but it has an annoying catch at top dead center. I've reset it, reprogrammed remotes, even used a new remote and still need to point it at it.

My biggest concern however is the breaking of parts in cold weather. During one spring tournament walleye fishing, 6 boats all had issues with freezing. I don't mean stopping, I mean the screw drive actually breaking plastic parts. For southern fishing, not a big deal, but here, when we fish 20 to 30 degree weather, it is a big deal.

I'm not a fan of the Ulterex only because I have zero need for a foot control, otherwise I've heard great things.

If I was to sell the "Turd" it would be quickly replaced with a new lift assist Terrova. Price for the Turd... 1500 and I'll load it in your car and give you air freshener for the ride home!

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Originally Posted by FurFlyin

I don't blame them for not wanting your average Joe working on his trolling motor when it's still under warranty. I wouldn't want most of my customers working on things we do while they're under warranty.

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NO! I wouldn't touch it under warranty. I'm talking about after the warranty was out, if its under warranty you need to take to some one or send it in for repair.

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Originally Posted by wicklundrh

Price for the Turd... 1500 and I'll load it in your car and give you air freshener for the ride home!

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That's the polished Turd price. Let me know when you get down to the taking up too much space in my garage, Turd price. :biggrin

I don't know if the head has an internal antennae to pick up the signal from the remote, or how it works, but something is wrong with yours. As I said in my message, I can drive mine from several hundred feet away. I'd say maybe 100 yards away. Drive it like a kids remote controlled boat, drive it. I do that so I can replicate the commercial where the guy unloads his boat, parks his truck, walk to the end of the pier and just step off onto his boat as it glides by. I've about got it worked out just like the commercial. I've just got to quit smiling while I'm walking down the pier. :)

If it's still under warranty, I'd send it back to Minn Kota. If they refused to fix it, well I know a guy. We'll send em a message. Guy will wake up with a fish head in his bed. :Rofl

Regarding the plastic parts breaking. The threaded part that runs on the acme rod is definitely a weak point. That could have easily been made from machined aluminum or even MIM would be better than plastic, and for what they cost, it should have been. But if that's stronger than the plastic housing on the motor, then that would break and then the motor would have to be replaced...

I would have designed it differently. They didn't ask me, but.....

I still love mine. It's my favorite thing about my boat.

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Originally Posted by FurFlyin

Regarding the plastic parts breaking. The threaded part that runs on the acme rod is definitely a weak point. That could have easily been made from machined aluminum or even MIM would be better than plastic, and for what they cost, it should have been. But if that's stronger than the plastic housing on the motor, then that would break and then the motor would have to be replaced...

I would have designed it differently. They didn't ask me, but.....

I still love mine. It's my favorite thing about my boat.

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Some parts of the Ulterra are cheesy no doubt, but so are some parts of my Ridgeline. I love them both cause the suit me.

My pal blueball has a similar problem with the v2. Has to point it at the head unit to get it to work. My old v2 will still work from inside the house.

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Originally Posted by Pithon

Limits of life comes in 50's. Great I'm almost to one limit of life.

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Ima Septuagenarian.

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Originally Posted by Cane Pole

My pal blueball has a similar problem with the v2. Has to point it at the head unit to get it to work. My old v2 will still work from inside the house.

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I bought that V2 from blueball. $260 card in the head and all is well.

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Thanks for tge info Fur. That is what I needed to hear. As I said, I have Terrovas to compare to but no other Ulterra so I have to rely on others information. Yes, that part is cheesy. I do suspect I will break it at some point due to freeze up. My only thought is to liberally spray it with a non freezing material like WD-40 in inclimate weather. This boat is less than 2 years old with no more than 5 hours on the motor. We always fish my other boat.

Which does it have, iPilot or iPilot Link? How much and where are you located?

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Originally Posted by wicklundrh

And, there end lies the issues with the Ulterra... AKA "The Turd" as I like to call it!

It was great in theory, and works good. Right up until you have a problem with it. I've seen my share of broken ones the past few months. Iced up parts that snap plastic, ruined tournament days, innacurate movements, and my personal pet peeve... needing to point the stupid remote directly at the darn thing to move it anyplace!

I have one I'll sell you. Less than 2 hours of use on it. I stand in the back of my boat and troll. With my Terrova, I NEVER look at the motor, I hit buttons. With this "Turd" I need to point the remote at it. I purchased it for my dad so he didn't have to stow and deploy the motor at the front of the boat. IF, and I say IF, they would make one that had a manual/auto deploy and would actually work when you hit a button without pointing the remote at it, I would consider it a win. Until that time, EVERY, and I mean EVERY one of these things that I have seen, touched, worked, and been associated with (quite a few) is garbage! Sure, it stows and deploys, when you don't have an issue, but that is about it.

As I said, I got one I would gladly sell to anyone.

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