Minn Kota Service Center in Algonac

[BilgeRat]

I just found an Authorized Minn Kota Service Center in Algonac:

EMPIRE ELECTRIC INC.
8338 ANCHOR BAY RD.
ALGONAC, MI 48001

Tel: 810-794-8992
fax: 810-794-8993

Business Hours:

10am-6pm M-F

I just dropped my PD55 off last Friday. The owner is real nice and just started the service center.

Plus it sure beats driving out to Brighton from Lake St. Claire.

[ESOX]

Thats cool, thanks, I need yet another on off switch for the Autopilot.:eek:

[WALLEYE MIKE]

Super!!!! I hope I don't need to take mine in anytime soon. But good to know its close by.

[QuakrTrakr]

ESOX

How many switches have you been through? I haven't had any trouble with mine(knock on wood). I've had it for 6 or 7 years now.

[TBone]

I just bought a boat with a AP65. The compass is all screwed up. I called Brighton, which is only likely 5 minutes away. They want $85/hr to look at it. No way. I will probably do it myself, if not, I might give this guy a try.

[ESOX]

Quacker, this will be my fourth switch. Thats about one a year.
When I keep in mind the abuse this motor has been through, I'd buy one again.

[QuakrTrakr]

Wow, Do you turn it on and off alot? I've had mine right in the rain, snow, or whatever and haven't had a problem. Maybe they changed the type of switch or something. One weird thing I've noticed is when I transmit on my VHF, the Auto does a hard turn to the left or right, but returns when I let off the mic. Minnkota didn't really know how to fix it other than replacing the main board(about $400). :confused:

[Jason Adam]

That sounds like magnetic interference screwing with your AP's compass. I dont know how an autopilot tells direction(i.e. fluxgate compass, etc..), but if that is the case, a new board wouldnt do it. Try moving your radio further from your AP if possible, atleast to test. Another possibility is power supply to the radio looped somewhere creating a stronger magnet when the mic is keyed. Just a guess, as I said, I don't know how the AP's that are built into the trolling motors work exactally.

[ESOX]

I think the problem lies in a weak switch spring/contact, although it does take one heck of a pounding running on Lake St. Clair.

[QuakrTrakr]

Jason Adam

Mikkkota told me each main board runs at a different frequency. But there is no way to tell what that freq is. I tried moving the radio, antenna, Autopilot conrol, cable, makes no difference. They are on different batteries even. I really don't mind , it does return to where it was.