Texas Fishing Forum

Problem with new Motorguide xi5

Posted By: PowPowOl'Son

Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/17/16 02:38 AM

Brand new out of the box. This is my second one so I know how it's supposed to operate. I'm having 2 problems.

1) The battery light is red all the time (batteries are hot)
2) When on spotlock, it acts silly (see video)

Any ideas? I hate to box it up and send back. I'm sure the turnaround time will be 2-3 weeks.

Posted By: 203 CHAMP

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/17/16 02:48 AM

does it always do that on spot lock or is it random?
Posted By: PowPowOl'Son

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/17/16 03:06 AM

Always does it. Supposedly it has 2 gps units in it. I'm wondering if they aren't "fighting" with each other. I read how to calibrate the gps system. Gonna try that on the water Friday (can't do it on land).
Posted By: DFW-fisherman

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/17/16 07:12 PM

Am buying one of these, so am very interested in what you find out. Please let us know.
Thanks for posting.
Posted By: DFW-fisherman

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/17/16 07:13 PM

Originally Posted By: PowPowOl'Son
Brand new out of the box. This is my second one so I know how it's supposed to operate. I'm having 2 problems.

1) The battery light is red all the time (batteries are hot)
2) When on spotlock, it acts silly (see video)

Any ideas? I hate to box it up and send back. I'm sure the turnaround time will be 2-3 weeks.


welcome to the TFF!
Posted By: vicbass22

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/17/16 07:40 PM

Try unplugging the power n plug it back when it's acting silly
Posted By: Douglas J

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/17/16 07:43 PM

eeks
Posted By: fouzman

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/17/16 07:44 PM

Originally Posted By: vicbass22
Try unplugging the power n plug it back when it's acting silly


Do you work in IT? That's what my help desk always suggests when my puter's acting up.
Posted By: PowPowOl'Son

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/17/16 08:18 PM

I've been pressing Control-Alt-Delete but that doesn't work either.
Posted By: Txmedic033

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/17/16 10:33 PM

Take it to an authorized MG repair shop and it'll be covered under warranty.
Posted By: plasma800

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/17/16 11:27 PM

It's the very deliberate pattern that seems amiss... mine on anchor will of course move and adjust.. a lot, but not with such consistency. And my light is always green. Is yours 24 or 36 volt? Wondering if you could wire it up to a different set of batteries?? I know that's a hassle, but it would at least rule out the batteries....

as far as I knew, there's only the one PinPoint GPS control board in them, if you bought it equipped that way. They can be purchased without the pin point gps.

Is the unit hooked up to a NEMA network? If so, does disconnecting it from the nema change anything about it's behavior?
Posted By: PowPowOl'Son

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/18/16 12:04 AM

It's 36v. I may hook my old xi5 to it just to make sure all works fine.

I bought it with Pinpoint.

It was originally hooked to an HDS12, but I have since disconnected hoping that would fix it. No such luck.
Posted By: JkWho

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/18/16 12:52 AM

Looks like you put it in protection mode. Its making sure nothing/nobody gets near the front of the boat.

I have never had mine do this but thought I would throw out some thoughts...

1) Does it do it with both the remote and foot pedal?
2) Tried it with foot pedal off?
3) Batteries in foot pedal new?
4) Batteries in remote OK?
5) Have you tried "re-syncing" the GPS? Not sure if this is possible...
Posted By: PowPowOl'Son

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/18/16 11:54 AM

Originally Posted By: JkWho
Looks like you put it in protection mode. Its making sure nothing/nobody gets near the front of the boat. Ya, it's definitely is on the hunt to find something!

I have never had mine do this but thought I would throw out some thoughts...

1) Does it do it with both the remote and foot pedal? yes
2) Tried it with foot pedal off? yes
3) Batteries in foot pedal new? yes
4) Batteries in remote OK? yes
5) Have you tried "re-syncing" the GPS? Not sure if this is possible...There is a way to reset it back to factory default. I have done this. There is also a way to calibrate the GPS. I will do this on Friday. According to Motorguide, a "lost" GPS shouldn't give you a red light though.
Posted By: SteezMacQueen

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/18/16 12:26 PM

I know this doesn't help....and I'm sorry....but this thread should be a response as to why the tourney guys DONT use these types of trolling motors.

It's a damn shame too, as much as these things could make it safer and easier to fish.

Why can the manufacturers NOT make one that uses drive by wire technology like the throttle pedals in late model vehicles. It could very accurately control the steering and when needed it can steer for you.
Posted By: plasma800

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/18/16 12:52 PM

Yeah man, I don't know.. sucks to have to take it off. When I installed mine I installed on a quick disconnect bracket with the thought that I might buy a tour as a backup if mine dies, or has any issues.

Wondering though, why is this your second one? Two boats? First defective?
Posted By: PowPowOl'Son

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/18/16 02:50 PM

Originally Posted By: plasma800
Yeah man, I don't know.. sucks to have to take it off. When I installed mine I installed on a quick disconnect bracket with the thought that I might buy a tour as a backup if mine dies, or has any issues.

Wondering though, why is this your second one? Two boats? First defective?


My first one is only a year old. It started leaking around the motor and obviously an electric motor and water doesn't mix. So rather than wait for the 3-4 weeks for my closest service center to get to it and repair it, I figured I would buy another one and have the first one fixed. This way I won't be out of commission.

Last night, I took the control board out of my old one and put it in the new one. The new one works correctly now. So now I'm going to fight with MG to try to replace the control board for me. I see now reason to have to involve a service center. I'm willing to ship the control board to them and have them test it before they send me a new one. This would save them the expense of having to pay a service center to do the warranty work. I'll update as we make progress.
Posted By: PowPowOl'Son

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/18/16 03:56 PM

Called MG tech support and got a good dude on the phone. After listening to my story and asking a few questions, he agreed it was the control board. He said they generally do not deal with the consumer directly concerning parts, but being the xi5 is a fairly new product with some recent changes, they are more hands on with them. Long story short, they are mailing me a new control board, and I should have it Friday.
Posted By: plasma800

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/19/16 05:27 PM

SWEET! Smart idea! One Two punch fix on the first one, you've got a perfect backup!!
Originally Posted By: PowPowOl'Son
Originally Posted By: plasma800
Yeah man, I don't know.. sucks to have to take it off. When I installed mine I installed on a quick disconnect bracket with the thought that I might buy a tour as a backup if mine dies, or has any issues.

Wondering though, why is this your second one? Two boats? First defective?


My first one is only a year old. It started leaking around the motor and obviously an electric motor and water doesn't mix. So rather than wait for the 3-4 weeks for my closest service center to get to it and repair it, I figured I would buy another one and have the first one fixed. This way I won't be out of commission.

Last night, I took the control board out of my old one and put it in the new one. The new one works correctly now. So now I'm going to fight with MG to try to replace the control board for me. I see now reason to have to involve a service center. I'm willing to ship the control board to them and have them test it before they send me a new one. This would save them the expense of having to pay a service center to do the warranty work. I'll update as we make progress.
Posted By: Bartemus

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/19/16 05:52 PM

I have begun having an issue with mine also. One of my two batteries is really warm after charging. Light goes red to green. Sometimes when I try to speed up, the light goes green to red and the forward motion just cuts off. I originally thought maybe I had the remote in some mode that would not allow me increase the speed...J&J marine says a warm battery after charging may mean that the battery is about to go bad. Last time I was out, I had no issues with it but I didn't use the trolling motor over an hour. I had charged it longer also. The first thing I will do is re-calibrate the foot pedal and the remote. Then I will replace the warm battery. I'll take it to a MG svc center at Lake Fork if that doesn't correct the issue.

Bart
Posted By: Flippin-Out

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/19/16 05:59 PM

Why not test the deep cycle batteries? If they are the flooded cell type (conventional), you can check how well each cell is charging in just a few minutes right where the battery sits by using a hydrometer. (A good one can be had for $10-$15 typically.) I often use this tool to diagnose a problem caused by low voltage. Remember a battery voltage can look fine with no load or minor load, then plummet the instant the TM motor kicks on.
Posted By: PowPowOl'Son

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/19/16 06:03 PM

Originally Posted By: Bartemus
I have begun having an issue with mine also. One of my two batteries is really warm after charging. Light goes red to green. Sometimes when I try to speed up, the light goes green to red and the forward motion just cuts off. I originally thought maybe I had the remote in some mode that would not allow me increase the speed...J&J marine says a warm battery after charging may mean that the battery is about to go bad. Last time I was out, I had no issues with it but I didn't use the trolling motor over an hour. I had charged it longer also. The first thing I will do is re-calibrate the foot pedal and the remote. Then I will replace the warm battery. I'll take it to a MG svc center at Lake Fork if that doesn't correct the issue.

Bart


I bet you indeed have battery problems. I hope that is the problem...much simpler than lots of the other things!
Posted By: Bartemus

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/19/16 08:56 PM

That is an excellent idea. I'll go to O'Reilly Auto Parts and get a hydrometer and ask them to tell me how to use it. Im sure hoping it is the battery!

Regards,

Bart
Posted By: Stanfo

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/19/16 09:01 PM

Have gone through 2 of these, in the video it is trying to get the GPS lock or "fix", it usually gives up and beeps when it cant get the lock. The worst thing I dealt with on this motor is that when in anchor mode the head will start spinning and will do so until it rips the cable from the GPS motherboard, happened to me twice. Technician couldnt help or wasnt knowledgeable enough to do anything for me. Ended up sending it off to get repaired and bought the Minn Kota Ulterra, Far and above a much better product than the Xi5. Only problem I have had with it is when I ran into something and knocked the stow/deploy sensor out of whack and it would try to spin (just like the Xi5) when I tried to stow it, stopped it in time and had to realign the magnets that sense the position for the stow/deploy sequence to fix. The Xi5 had a lot of bugs that Motorguide needs to work out and until they do I wouldnt recommend anyone get one. Send it back under warranty and get you an Ulterra, the self deploy is life changing and the motor is just a beast. I have always been a Motorguide guy, but as far as the wireless motors go Im definitely a Minn Kota fan.
Posted By: plasma800

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/20/16 03:59 AM

i must admit, I really wish I had the auto deploy.... but I wanted the integration with the HDS units, which I must admit, is cool in itself...
Posted By: DFW-fisherman

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/21/16 09:21 PM

Not trying to hijack this thread, but I thought since I was following this one and had already posted on it, I would end with this one. So,

Well, I did get my new Xi5 with Pinpoint GPS this week, and got it installed Thursday without any problems. Took it to the lake Friday for a test run and I really, really love this new toy! Worked like it was advertised, no problems.

Motorguide has revised their setup and the motors are now shipped with the latest Lowrance interface, so the updating is easier. I had to call MG and ask about why I was not getting the promps to update software in the motor - like it said in the instructions. Didn't need to to cause it was already there.
Posted By: plasma800

Re: Problem with new Motorguide xi5 - 05/21/16 10:32 PM

dude for real, I love my Xi5.... I use heading lock like crazy! even on banks... i just set to a low speed, heading lock, use the pedal to pick a direction (or the remote) and when i need to adjust just nudge the pedal. No matter what the wind does, the boat just goes right where I want it to .
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