JerryS
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 278
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2006/06/25 23:50:13
- Location: N.W. PA
- Status: offline
Minn kota power drive deployment
Last year I purchased a 55 Power drive with a 54" shaft. Lately I have avoided using it because of the hassle. It takes all my strength getting it out of the cradle and into the water since the lower unit fits VERY snug in the cradle.
Lubricating the cradle did not help. I've considered removing plastic from the cradle, but thought I'd ask if someone else has found a better solution
Thanks,
Jerry
|
Bogeyjoker
Pro Angler
- Total Posts : 1704
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2000/12/22 14:02:54
- Location: NW PA
- Status: offline
RE: Minn kota power drive deployment
2010/06/18 21:03:57
(permalink)
Jerry, Mines a bit snug as well. What I do is I give the lower unit a little shove with my foot as I am deploying the motor. It slides out easily that way, I just have to make sure I don't push too hard and do a split. 
|
JerryS
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 278
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2006/06/25 23:50:13
- Location: N.W. PA
- Status: offline
RE: Minn kota power drive deployment
2010/06/19 12:23:54
(permalink)
Bogey,
I have used the foot technique also, but in my boat it is very awkward to do. One time I almost fell in the lake!
|
Trout About
Pro Angler
- Total Posts : 1048
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2001/11/24 21:32:27
- Location: West Newton, PA
- Status: offline
RE: Minn kota power drive deployment
2010/06/19 12:37:24
(permalink)
A little silicon spray where the shaft goes thru the steering servo will help greatly. The more you use it, the better it gets.
|
JerryS
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 278
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2006/06/25 23:50:13
- Location: N.W. PA
- Status: offline
RE: Minn kota power drive deployment
2010/06/20 22:29:40
(permalink)
Bogey and Trout, thanks for the advice. I sprayed the shaft and the cradle with silicone. Took Monday thru Wednesday off work and rented a cottage in Northeast. Will give the motor a workout.
Jerry
|
anzomcik
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 720
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2007/07/31 05:16:41
- Status: offline
RE: Minn kota power drive deployment
2010/06/21 12:38:37
(permalink)
Also i have found with mine on the handle you need to pull back on to release the lock. Keep pulling and push the motor out, it will releive pressure on the motor case and pop right out. You need to keep pulling the whole time when the motor is touching the plastic.
|
gizmos
Pro Angler
- Total Posts : 1190
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2006/09/09 20:21:10
- Status: offline
RE: Minn kota power drive deployment
2010/06/21 14:22:22
(permalink)
Took the two plastics out of mine. Makes it easier to snap back into cradle. Wd'd mine and white lithium grease another time, and silicon sray worked the best and stayed on the longest. Hate the set up and the foot control. Waiting for it to die so I can go back to motoguide.Considering the hype of the company, overall junk IMO.
Eat what you catch,troll for cows.
|
JerryS
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 278
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2006/06/25 23:50:13
- Location: N.W. PA
- Status: offline
RE: Minn kota power drive deployment
2010/06/22 23:01:39
(permalink)
Just found out my cottage has wifi access. Been catching a lot of smallmouth the last couple days, mostly smaller fish though. Overall I am not a big fan of the setup either. I currently have the co-pilot option which I feel is a little better than the foot control, but requires too much thought to use. Maybe with time it will become more instinctive. Since I have a tiller boat, I may switch to a transom mount electric some day. Jerry
post edited by JerryS - 2010/06/22 23:02:35
|
fryem
Avid Angler
- Total Posts : 122
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2008/05/09 15:35:32
- Status: offline
RE: Minn kota power drive deployment
2010/06/23 08:54:10
(permalink)
I also have the PD 55 I use armor-all and I dont pull the motor all the way into the cradle so it is not locked down while on the water I only lock it down the whole way when boat is on the trailor
Also on mine it will act up and not turn left sometimes so I have unplug the power cord or the connection from the co-pilot to the motor a few times to get it working, anybody else have any issues like that or am I just lucky.
I have a motor guide wireless on a second boat it has never had a problem in 3 years and it is easy to stow and deploy
|
anzomcik
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 720
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2007/07/31 05:16:41
- Status: offline
RE: Minn kota power drive deployment
2010/06/23 10:22:10
(permalink)
The reason your PD does not turn left somtimes is because your foot pedal is starting to fail. There will be a day soon that it will not turn left at all. You will need to replace the pedal 70$.
Like i tried to describe in my prior post, keep a pulling force on the lock lever and slide the motor out all while pulling the lock lever. My motor deploys very easly, and i use no chemicals to try to lube it.
|
fryem
Avid Angler
- Total Posts : 122
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2008/05/09 15:35:32
- Status: offline
RE: Minn kota power drive deployment
2010/06/23 10:38:35
(permalink)
I have the same no turning left with no foot pedal connected and just using the handheld co-pilot wireless remote. All connection pins and sockets are clean and pins are straight etc..cycling power will get it working its just a minor pain it will happen a few times during a outing
|
eyesfishnfool
New Angler
- Total Posts : 10
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2004/07/10 20:19:37
- Status: offline
RE: Minn kota power drive deployment
2010/07/18 22:26:09
(permalink)
I got a few foot petals if anybody needs them $20.00
|
anzomcik
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 720
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2007/07/31 05:16:41
- Status: offline
RE: Minn kota power drive deployment
2010/07/19 06:01:21
(permalink)
Are they good foot pedals? Are they the non digital models?
|
clinchknot
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 831
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2008/08/27 20:16:35
- Status: offline
RE: Minn kota power drive deployment
2010/07/20 20:57:49
(permalink)
ORIGINAL: anzomcik
The reason your PD does not turn left somtimes is because your foot pedal is starting to fail. There will be a day soon that it will not turn left at all. You will need to replace the pedal 70$.
Like i tried to describe in my prior post, keep a pulling force on the lock lever and slide the motor out all while pulling the lock lever. My motor deploys very easly, and i use no chemicals to try to lube it.
Mine did the same thing. Eventually, it didn't turn left and had to replace it. Luckily, it was still under warranty and I didn't have to pay for it. So far so good with this pedal.
I don't give a crap if anybody listens to me or not.
|
clinchknot
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 831
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2008/08/27 20:16:35
- Status: offline
RE: Minn kota power drive deployment
2010/07/20 20:59:19
(permalink)
Oh, and everyone's right, deployment is a major P I T A. 
I don't give a crap if anybody listens to me or not.
|