Ultrex Spotlock Problem

Hit spot lock. If boat is coasting forward at all, the head will spin 180 degrees in effort to keep on the locked spot, and when it reaches the 180 mark, beep--spot lock shuts off. This will also happen sometimes when spot lock has been engaged for some time, but obviously gets off course a bit and has to spin around to relocate. Anyone else have this problem? Solutions?

I do not know how long you have been using yours but. When I first got mine when I wanted spot lock I hit spot lock and did the 180 thing twice. After using a while I get the boat positioned pretty much into the wind before I hit the spot. It will still spin some but most of the time it will not make a full 180. From a learning make sure the cable has slack or it will pull it into where it plugs and locks. I held mine together and my partner taped is so it would stay in place ripped the threads right out of the plug.
Best thing since sliced bread.

I have to ask....Did you calibrate the motor with the two full circles and then perform the offset calibration?

I ask because it has been the biggest issue.

The circle thing works....Don't go fishing without it. Just need to do it once

This my be a dumb question but....i just replaced my batteries, will i have to recalibrate mine.

No it should pick up right where it was set

I had a similar issue and it turned out my velcro strap was lying under the pedal causing it to bind when the pedal would bottom out.

calibrate and try to get in the habit of letting the boat stop before hitting spotlock. Another solution is to hit spotlock and it will spin to stop the boat. As soon as it feels like it is stopping the boat disengage spotlock and then reengage it. It will lock on to that new spot and not try to find the original spot. Not sure what the Ultrex has set up as a default but on the other ipilot models that the head can spin 360 degrees, it should deactivate spotlock so that you don't have it continue to rotate and break the cords. It does have enough force to snap a cord in two otherwise. It happened to me.

I have--when I first put it on in January. Haven't re-calibrated since...do you need to do that every once in a while?



This is what I've tried to do--let the boat's momentum die, then hit spot lock, and it does happen less often, but still often enough to annoy me. Like I said, it will sometimes just do it after it's been on the same spot for a certain amount of time.

I've read some other stuff saying that something was binding the pedal, so I'll try to be more conscious about that. Haven't noticed anything, but not saying something similar's not happening...

Since it's turning 180 before kicking out, I'm guessing you have something in a bind when the motor turns 1/2 circle. Check for something under footpedal, footpedal hitting something as it goes from toe down to heal down, and check any cables that you have running up the shaft, making sure the cables aren't stopping it from turning full circle.
John

can someone explain how to calibrate the ultrex? thanks

https://minnkotamotors.johnsonoutdoors.c...ding-Sensor.pdf

That will explain it. pretty simple to do.