Minn Kota Mess

I have a Minn Kota Mess for a Powerdrive V2, 55 pound thrust, 12 volt trolling motor.

My buddy is working on my boat, a Lowe Sea Nymph 175 and tonight the V2 making grinding noise, so he took the motor area apart - see pictures.

Now he is 60 miles away, so I am going crazy trying to understand what he has found and we have been on the cell for hours.

As you can see it has a water leak and related other corrosion issues. From looking at the pictures ,it seems to me that the motor shaft had a leak and has left behind calcium deposits, etc.

It looks bad but try to realize that this motor was running today!

What we are looking for is counsel on how to proceed.

Are there any things we need to be aware of before cleaning it up?

Are there any issues we need to be aware of BEFORE re-assembling it?

Also, when I looked at the one picture I could see the one brush was cracked - not good - but it had been working...

Any counsel, advice, suggestions, ANYONE can offer at this point in our maintenance and improvements for this boat and now trolling motor.

Thank you in advance.

Attachment 424700

Attachment 424701

Attachment 424702

Attachment 424703

Also, this V2 is a PRE-2017 model.

What's driving me (also) crazy is that the brushes (188-036) in the pictures of the brushes on sale today does not look like the picture (see above) of the the parts I have in this motor. Could Minn Kota have changed the design, etc.?

I would suggest you clean it all up, replace the seals, and go back to using it. It may be weaker than new, but if it worked before then it will still work. Once it gives up the beans later on you can decide if its worth fixing or upgrading to the bluetooth or future brushless models.

That's just my suggestion of course, you can absolutely rebuild it fully while you have it apart if you want to. A local minnkota service shop should have a brush kit for your motor, you'll need the serial number off it when you ask.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kevin22

I would suggest you clean it all up, replace the seals, and go back to using it. It may be weaker than new, but if it worked before then it will still work. Once it gives up the beans later on you can decide if its worth fixing or upgrading to the bluetooth or future brushless models.

That's just my suggestion of course, you can absolutely rebuild it fully while you have it apart if you want to. A local minnkota service shop should have a brush kit for your motor, you'll need the serial number off it when you ask.

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I was on the phone with Minn Kota today and he basically said to use warm water with soap and a toothbrush. Use a drop cloth (?) on the commutator instead of something like steel wool of fine sandpaper. Rinse everything so NO RESIDUE(S) and dry thoroughly. Then reassemble and pray.

I'm attributing the leak to the fact that the shaft behind the prop has had a number times where it gathered fishing line(s) that probably pushed the seal(s) inward.

The biggest concern I have is the brushes. From the picture it looks very different from what is sold BUT I discovered that the brushes might actually slip into the same material like they are made of...

I say this as the brushes are rectangular and the picture above shows something different...

They look like standard DC motor brush. If you are talking about the concave radius in the inside of the brushes. That is how they should look.

What you are seeing is not near as damaging as it looks. You have 5 seals. An o-ring on each cap, the shaft seal as well as an o-ring on each of the bolts.

Lots of like left in those brushes. I'd think about replacing that shaft bearing depending of how it feels.

All these guys with serial number and date if it has one. They will help get you the right parts and walk you through any repair questions. I’d replace seal, brushes and bearing and front bushing. Clean real good and you got nearly new motor when finished. Looks and sounds a lot harder than it is.

Minn Kota Trolling Motors | Minn Kota Parts | Humminbird Graphs | Northland Marine

I'd be worried about that cracked brush either breaking and sticking in the housing (motor will die and might burn the commutator), or the piece making it's way somewhere that it shouldn't belong, like between the field magnets and the armature.

I'd swap those out, polish up the commutator, with new bearings and seals. Should be good as new.

Minn Kota staff have been extremely helpful over the years and specially lately.

The parts are ordered, don't have an ETA, but I ordered ALL that could be replaced in that area to the tune of $50 or so.

In the meantime, the insides will be scrubbed and the electrical components cleaned with a mix of Dawn, warm water and a small brush.

Then it will be rinsed thoroughly and dried completely.

However, not sure if I have to lube the armature shaft or the like...

Thank you all for your insight and counsel.

Bob

Those things are built like tanks. IMO the hardest part is going to be taking the piece holding the brushes out. Be very careful they will shear. The armature looks shot to me but it should be about 85$ to replace. My first call would be to Northland Marine. Dont give up on it it can be fixed.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Also if I was unhappy with it being 12v now is the time to go 24v with it if you have to replace the armature.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Quote:

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Originally Posted by catchNgrease

Those things are built like tanks. IMO the hardest part is going to be taking the piece holding the brushes out. Be very careful they will shear. The armature looks shot to me but it should be about 85$ to replace. My first call would be to Northland Marine. Dont give up on it it can be fixed.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

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I sincerely hope the armature is fine!

I've already ordered all the parts to replace seals , bearings, etc. We will see...

A little cleaning and polishing the of the armature should have it back in good shape

I forget what the exact name is but i used to clean some motors i had with a electrical componet spray . Its non corossive and gives it a base protectant to it..
After you get all the big grime off..

This is the one I have used in the past. Attachment 425516

I see on Amazon a different one, one called DeoxIt D100.

Attachment 425517

Is this it?

I haven't used that one. Looks like it is good stuff.

Deoxit will clean of corrosion on contacts, but doesnt do much for gunk buildup. Depends on what you are cleaning really. Typically deoxit is used to clean switches, contacts, and circuit boards

Thank you everyone for your counsel and input. The parts are here but I have to get them to my buddy and, of course, my vehicles are in the shop. So it will be a couple days before we learn of the repairs!

Thank you.

Agree with all about. Clean up mostly, replace a few parts you are good to go.

Just want to update.

Bought most all the parts that could be replaced and my buddy put it all back together and it works!

Hallelujah!

Now, I have an extra CO-PILOT for a V2 12V, so if anyone wants one....

Thank you all for your counsel.

Bob

Glad to hear you got it running

That Lowe Sea Nymph 175 is ALOT of boat for that 55 # trolling motor, especially when the wind blows. That said, IMO Minn Kota trollers are as tough as nails. That said, I'd fix it and either upgrade to a 70# 24 v. troller or just put it back on the boat and use it.