I'd like to change out my Motorguide pedal speed knob from a 1-5 to a 0-100(variable) one and the potentiometer to be changed as well. I don't see it as a "hard" thing to do at all but my issue would be if the knob/potentiometer doesn't fit in the same spots as my current ones.

Has anyone done this before and could offer any suggestions/or reasons that it wouldn't work?

Thanks!

Is the replacement potentiometer one with adequate specs and largely equal to the existing one as a replacement? Potentiometers come with a myriad of combinations of specifications. The TM may be designed for a certain part # and that could preclude fitment of a random part.

On second thought, if you are describing a TM model that offers 5 speeds and has a click-stop at those 5 speeds, you are out of luck. If it's an old-technology TM (not digital with variable speed) that's not even a potentiometer; it's a 5 position switch selecting different resistor networks embedded in the nosecone of the TM to provide different speeds. I think you need to leave your TM alone - unless you want to solve the problem by buying a new one after you fry that one.

flippin- I didn't think that the actual internals of the trolling motor would be "set" like that. Makes sense though. I figured the 5 position switch(what I have) was just the mechanical aspect of it and that the trolling motor itself only cared about that position to determine the amount of current it let thru. Yeah it wouldn't work very well with built in resistors in the nose cone. Basically I find that with my boat "1" is way too much in calm conditions first thing in the morning and if I had a "lower" setting like it would be on a 1-100 that would be great. Seeing it as 1-5 being 20% each time and then 10 would be 10% on 1-100.

appreciate your reply.

In the old-school method of DC motor control, those resistive networks were common. Millions of them were used for the fan speed control of automotive heaters & air conditioners. In that case, it was a module mounted under the hood. I've also replaced that nose-cone network on a TM that lost speed control. The nose cones used to be one solid hunk with the module encased in epoxy. I have never had to open up any of my digital units, so I don't know what's in there today.

Your unit actually dissipates some power as heat through that nose cone when you want a lower speed. That's great for battery efficiency, huh? (not!) Infinite speed choice and not draining batteries to heat the lake are two primary reasons why digital speed control TM technology is so beneficial.

Looks like I'll use this one until I find a good deal on a digital one then. Yeah I can't see just dissipating heat as a great way to control things... We work on a lot of random things here at work and one of the actuators we cut open was sealed in some really thick epoxy of some sort. Wouldn't even want to break into that to replace something!

R1 bass in beaumont can make the old style into the digital like your describing. Surely there are other trolling motor shops that can also. R1 is a good place, everybody uses him around here, but that means he's usually really backed up. I'm sure if you call though he can get you the parts you need and walk you thru it.

Thanks for the heads up skipper!

A 5 speed can be converted to a variable speed (I've done several) but it comes at a price. On a Motorguide, the switches under the foot pedal is replaced, the wiring harness from the footpedal to the head, a wiring harness from the head to the lower unit, a new com cap that holds the new brushcard and module. Kinda "gutting" the trolling motor to change over. On most 5 speeds, due to original cost, it's better to sell outright and buy the digital than to try and convert.
John