Does any one know if an autopilot feature can be added to a Minn Kota trolling motor, or do you have to buy one with the autopilot?
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Does any one know if an autopilot feature can be added to a Minn Kota trolling motor, or do you have to buy one with the autopilot?
If I am not mistaken, the auto pilot can be added as long as you are adding it to a Power Drive unit. Even if you have to buy a TM with the auto pilot, it is worth the money if you long line most of the time.
I thought so, too, and I think my unit is a Power Drive (forgot to look this morning to make sure), but I was looking through the Bass Pro catalog and couldn't find an add on unit. Maybe I ought to look again or check the Minn Kota website.
I don't think it would be cost effective. You would need the A/P control board, compass board and the switch. I know the control board for one of my A/P's was $200!:eek: Now if you could find someone who has a A/P motor, that the motor itself was bad and could pick it up cheap, that's a different story. Switch your motor over and you are good to go.
TnT is correct. We had one done a few years ago and I "think" it cost around $180. I've never seen the upgrade parts advertised but you can give Tom a call and ask him.
MOTOR TECH - Trolling Motor Parts, Sales, Service and Repair Be sure you have the model no when you call.
Thanks for the advice.
PM Chuckauten....He just had his Power Drive upgraded to an Auto Pilot.
The Minn Kota people emailed me after I inquired through their website whether they had an add on autopilot for the Power Drive model, and the answer was "no".
Thats why you have to go thru a MK dealer.Quote:
Originally Posted by blairarnold
IBNFSHN is right...Go thru a Minn Kota dealer. Chuckauten just had one done last month. I am sure if you PM him, he'll tell you what you need to know, then you can decide if it is worth it or not.....Good Luck.Quote:
Originally Posted by blairarnold
I found my dealer from the MK website. Try to find one that only does trolling motors only. The boat dealers who are MK dealers are not as equipped and also probally do not stock the necessary equipment to upgrade. I bought a new unit from Cabelas that was strictly co-pilot. Didn't read the instructions. I really wanted the benefits of the auto-pilot. Point and go. My cost to upgrade was approx. $360.00. One hundred more than if I had bought the unit from Cabelas in the begging. Learn as you get older. My dealer did the following:
New cord - old one did not have enough wires.
Compass circuit board - installed in the head
Additional board - installed with the one next to the control motor.
New button - install in head to turn on the auto-pilot.
Labor
Some units are not upgradeable. You may have to sell your old one and buy a new one. Find someone who has the auto-pilot and will take you out for a test drive. You may just want a foot control unit, then you can replace the foot control with a control box made by TNT that will allow you to operate any place in the boat.
Best advice - drive before you buy.
Chuck
Great advice, I'll contact a dealer.