Wanaflatsfish Posted January 10, 2018 Report Share Posted January 10, 2018 The other day one of the forum members, JEM mentioned in a thread about disconnecting ALL power to an Ulterra, even after turning it off. I sent a note to MK and asked why...here is the answer..thought I"d pass it along...it was something I was not aware of.....for me, it's not an issue as I normally trickle charge my TM batteries every week whether I'm fishing or not, but, to someone who doesn't or thinks his batteries are good after not using the TM for 2 months, could find a problem. See below.... JEM- again, thank you.... DC Quote service@minnkotamotors service@minnkotamotors.com via johnsonoutdoors.com 9:22 AM (18 hours ago) to me Hello, The main control board will draw amperage off your deep cycle batteries when the motor is plugged in and even when it is powered off. If you leave it plugged in for a few weeks as a example your batteries may be low. It is recommend to have some type of quick disconnect rigged up so the motor is completely disconnected from power when not in use. Thank you, Eric --Original Message-- From: dino.cardelli@gmail.com Date: 1/9/2018 1:18:12 AM To: service@minnkotamotors.com Subject: Minn Kota Contact Us Form Submission *EXTERNAL EMAIL* Data from form "Contact Us" was received on 1/9/2018 1:17:50 AM. Contact information. Field Value FirstName Dino LastName Cardelli EmailAddress StreetAddress City Plantation State FLA Zip 33317 Phone Model Bow-Mount - Ulterra Serial Number Opt-in yes Subject Troubleshooting Comments I recently read that the Ulterra should be disconnected from the batteries when not in use. I normally turn it off, but, do not disconnect. Why is this necessary to physically disconnect or trip the breaker switch ? Regards Dino Cardelli thank you..... Safe harbor Agreement true Brand MinnKota SourceType ContactUsNew protocol yes Email "Minn Kota Contact Us Form Submission" originally sent to service@minnkotamotors.com from dino.cardelli@gmail.com on 1/9/2018 1:17:50 AM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEM Posted January 10, 2018 Report Share Posted January 10, 2018 And I thank Mike and his excellent staff at Master Repair for keeping their customers informed about the latest and greatest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted January 10, 2018 Report Share Posted January 10, 2018 Is it safe to assume that the Ipilot does the same? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdemott Posted January 10, 2018 Report Share Posted January 10, 2018 10 hours ago, JEM said: And I thank Mike and his excellent staff at Master Repair for keeping their customers informed about the latest and greatest! Amen to that and I sure do miss those guys up here in north Florida. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobey1 Posted January 23, 2018 Report Share Posted January 23, 2018 This was an interesting find/read. So is the quick solution to trip the breakers if you can't disconnect? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nag Juice Posted January 23, 2018 Report Share Posted January 23, 2018 On 1/10/2018 at 3:01 PM, whichwaysup said: Is it safe to assume that the Ipilot does the same? I'd bet it does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dabear Posted January 23, 2018 Report Share Posted January 23, 2018 43 minutes ago, Ridding_Dirty said: This was an interesting find/read. So is the quick solution to trip the breakers if you can't disconnect? Thats what I have been doing for years I use my breaker as a on and off switch . As soon as I pull up to the dock brefore getting the truck I hit the breaker switch . The trolling motor is wired direct eliminates possible corrosion or connection problems at plug in connection . Joe R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEM Posted January 23, 2018 Report Share Posted January 23, 2018 55 minutes ago, Ridding_Dirty said: This was an interesting find/read. So is the quick solution to trip the breakers if you can't disconnect? Exactly what I do as soon as I crank up the big motor to head in. I still try to remember to unplug my Battery Tender plug every few months to spray some Corrosion Block on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conocean Posted January 23, 2018 Report Share Posted January 23, 2018 1 hour ago, Ridding_Dirty said: So is the quick solution to trip the breakers if you can't disconnect? Bingo! That's what Bob @ IMS told me to do many years ago and I don't even have a fancy remote TM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nag Juice Posted January 23, 2018 Report Share Posted January 23, 2018 On 1/10/2018 at 3:01 PM, whichwaysup said: Is it safe to assume that the Ipilot does the same? I'd bet it does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dabear Posted January 23, 2018 Report Share Posted January 23, 2018 1 hour ago, JEM said: Exactly what I do as soon as I crank up the big motor to head in. I still try to remember to unplug my Battery Tender plug every few months to spray some Corrosion Block on it. I dont use a battery tender. First thing when I get home after washing the boat and flushing the motor I charge both trolling motor batterys with a portable battery charger. Only takes a few seconds to remove cables and clip charger leads to battery. Its old school but works great . I never let the batterys sit not fully charged , charge them up 100% as soon as possible and they last longer and are ready to go . Joe R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEM Posted January 23, 2018 Report Share Posted January 23, 2018 1 minute ago, dabear said: I dont use a battery tender. First thing when I get home after washing the boat and flushing the motor I charge both trolling motor batterys with a portable battery charger. Only takes a few seconds to remove cables and clip charger leads to battery. Its old school but works great . I never let the batterys sit not fully charged , charge them up 100% as soon as possible and they last longer and are ready to go . Joe R Great advice to charge batteries ASAP, Joe! The first thing I do when I get back to the dock is pull out the extension cord and plug in the Powermania charger. I never let my batteries sit uncharged. As far as the Batter Tender plug, I was talking about the trolling motor plug on the trolling motor power cable going into my anchor locker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conocean Posted January 23, 2018 Report Share Posted January 23, 2018 Old school is......old school! Stealth AC/DC charger makes it so that you can do away with remembering to charge batteries when you get home. This system charges my batteries every time I run the big motor throughout my fishing day so they never run low. A 20-30 minute ride back to the ramp and all 3 of my batteries are fully charged. Batteries that are run low then charged time after time do not last as long as batteries that never run low and are constantly charging. Just something to consider in the future! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dabear Posted January 23, 2018 Report Share Posted January 23, 2018 Sounds like that system works great for you.what ever is easy and works is a plus to me. Looks like good weather in the Ruskin area tomorrow Jan. 23 Wed . I know I am fully charge , 1/2 tank of gas ,poles loaded in the boat and heading out tomorrow Joe R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernieNC Posted January 23, 2018 Report Share Posted January 23, 2018 33 minutes ago, conocean said: Old school is......old school! Stealth AC/DC charger makes it so that you can do away with remembering to charge batteries when you get home. This system charges my batteries every time I run the big motor throughout my fishing day so they never run low. A 20-30 minute ride back to the ramp and all 3 of my batteries are fully charged. Batteries that are run low then charged time after time do not last as long as batteries that never run low and are constantly charging. Just something to consider in the future! X2......Bingo.........Winner, winner chicken dinner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobey1 Posted January 23, 2018 Report Share Posted January 23, 2018 Looks like I have to start doing this breaker disconnect now. This MA I got came with a Ulterra that I'm not a huge fan off but hey I'm not going to complain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imsnookyrd Posted January 24, 2018 Report Share Posted January 24, 2018 This subject got me wondering, I always trip my breaker when done but was curious about my MG Xi5. I pulled my Battery Tender plug and read across the terminals and there was no drain so it appears to be an Ulterra situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 Is this caused by the blue tooth capability? I.e., only an issue in the newer Ipilot and Ulterras, not the pre-puck Ipilots? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RICH12 Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 Minn kota service center told me to unplug after use 10+ yrs ago. Kept frying the motherboard and no batt probs now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarpon1215 Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 50 amp breakers(or larger)have always been a good safety idea on trolling motors! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Troy Posted January 26, 2018 Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 15 hours ago, Tarpon1215 said: 50 amp breakers(or larger)have always been a good safety idea on trolling motors! Never have a trolling motor without the breaker. Always trip that breaker at the end of the day. I have had to yank the main power cable out of the head of a trolling motor that was melting. I also saw what the side of my buddies house looked like when a connected trolling motor on the charger caught fire. Burned the boat and almost his house to the ground. Neither had breakers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEM Posted January 26, 2018 Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 I cannot imagine any trolling motor installation without a resettable 50 amp breaker!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernieNC Posted January 26, 2018 Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 Kind of why there is a is a "Breaker Sizing Table" in the manual? Actually they recommend a 60 amp for the sizes most folks on here use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mangroovin Posted January 26, 2018 Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 Thanks for sharing Dino. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigsnook35 Posted January 26, 2018 Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 Always used a breaker as an extra way to make sure there is no draw down on the batteries. Same as with any electronics on the boat. The only thing in the boat that can draw power when off the water is automatic bilge pump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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