I have a 24v Minn Kota that came on my used boat when I bought it. The boat is a 2006 so don't think the trolling motor is very old. I bought two new batteries for it about 3 month ago and it just seems like even with new batteries that the trolling motor doesn't run very well on speeds 1 thought 4. If I put it on 5 speed it runs great but of course that drains the batteries quickly.

Does any one know if there is anything in the trolling motor that could cause this or is this going to be strictly power flow related coming from the batteries? I wouldn't think it is battery related because on speed 5 it is fine.

Thanks for any help.

Edit: Few things I forgot to mention.

1) Nothing else runs off these batteries. Strictly trolling motor.

2) I wired the 24v as follows. I run a cross from battery #1 negative to battery #2 positive lead.

3) The onboard charger seems to work fine as my starting batter never has problems and the lights on the charging system turn on when plugged in and the red light turns off when completely charged.

Your wiring sounds fine.

Out of curiosity, what model is it? I had a Maxxum 74 that I bought off of craigslist that had intermittent problems. When the weather was cold, it would either work 100% or not work at all no matter what the potentiometer (knob) was set to. I had to send it to a shop to fix and it ended up being the control module/"motherboard". It was about 275 bucks with parts and labor.

Ryan

I'm not sure of the model off hand...I'm at work right now. I think I have the 70 LB foot controlled one.

I have one and it acts the same way 1 2 3 4 is very slow 4 is about one half half the speed of 5 bought this t/m new and has been like this from day one,will never own another MinnKota

Really? Hmmm, wish I had more experience with trolling motors. This is only my 2nd boat and both were MinnKota. Have you owned another brand before that seemed better for you?

Must be an Edge. If it is it does not have the variable speed a Maxxum does. I love my Maxxum.

sounds like a problem with the motor, not the battery. turning the knob controls how much current is being fed to the motor. could be the knob contacts or could be the motherboard electronics. may have to live with it.

I have an Edge and it does the exact same thing. Hopefully I have a new one soon.

I have an edge also will not own another one. The difference between 4 and 5 is silly.
Wish I could change that...

I have a 24v Minn Kota and it has done that from...well not day one, but soon....
Had I known it would fall on its face on anything but power #5, I would have done something else.
I don't know what I would have done, but it would have been something..