Remember to follow the appropriate troubleshooting steps based on the specific problem you’re encountering with your Advanced GPS Navigation. If these steps don’t resolve the issue, we recommend taking your motor to an Authorized Service Provider.
Jump to:
- Troubleshooting for your Advanced GPS Navigation System
- GPS Signal Strength
- Variables affecting accuracy and responsiveness
- Spot Lock or Other Advanced GPS Navigation Features Disengage Unexpectedly
- Boat Drifting or has Erratic Steering when in Spot-Lock with Advanced GPS Navigation
- Expected Accuracy for Spot-Lock
- Troubleshooting Erratic steering while in AutoPilot
- Advanced GPS Navigation AutoPilot Accuracy and Responsiveness
- Resources:
Troubleshooting for your Advanced GPS Navigation System
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Load test the battery and check all connections.
A drop in voltage to the motor will cause the GPS information to be inaccurate and will cause erratic steering. -
Verify proper GPS signal.
The GPS signal strength indicator on the Advanced GPS Navigation remote should show at least 1 bar. -
Adjust the boat scale on the Advanced GPS Navigation remote
Ideal installation for a trolling motor is to have the proper amount of thrust for the size of the boat. If the motor thrust is not properly matched to the boat size it can cause overshooting the Spot-Lock location. -
Keep all ferrous metallic objects away from the Advanced GPS Navigation Controller (top head)
This includes anchors, metal framework, etc. which may cause interference. -
Heading Sensor Interference
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External Heading Sensor (non-QUEST motors)
The heading sensor needs to be in a place where it is not subject to magnetic interference. Ensure that the heading sensor is mounted at least 24 inches from magnetic or ferrous materials or anything that may create magnetic interference. This includes: base of the trolling motor, anchors, metal railings, speakers, radios, and trolling motor battery wires. It must be mounted on a flat, horizontal surface with the arrow on the heading sensor parallel to the boat’s keel. It should also have a line of sight to the trolling motor. -
Internal Heading Sensor (QUEST motors)
The Advanced GPS Navigation Controller (top head) needs to be away from magnetic interference. Ensure the Advanced GPS Navigation Controller (top head) is at least 24 inches from magnetic or ferrous materials or anything that may create magnetic interference. This includes: anchors, metal railings, speakers, radios, and trolling motor battery wires.
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External Heading Sensor (non-QUEST motors)
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Clean debris behind Prop
Check for weeds, fishing line, or other debris behind the prop that may restrict the movement.
If you are experiencing an issue with your Advanced GPS Navigation, you can click on the buttons below for a troubleshooting guide to walk through troubleshooting Advanced GPS Navigation.
GPS Signal Strength
The GPS Signal Strength icon may not always show 4 bars. GPS signal strength is impacted by many influencers, including: i-Pilot Link controller having a clear view of the sky (especially to the southern sky), boat being located alongside a high bank, and your geographic location.
Variables affecting accuracy and responsiveness
The accuracy and responsiveness with which the Advanced GPS Navigation controls your boat is highly dependent upon many variables including:
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Ratio of motor thrust to boat weight.
The effect of this is excessive thrust on a smaller boat can cause Advanced GPS Navigation to over correct. Not enough thrust on a large boat can cause Advanced GPS Navigation to respond slowly. -
Wind.
Excessive wind and/or current can reduce Advanced GPS Navigation’s positioning accuracy. -
GPS signal strength.
The greater number of GPS signal bars the greater the accuracy. As voltage at the motor lowers the GPS will become less accurate or drop out completely.
Spot Lock or Other Advanced GPS Navigation Features Disengage Unexpectedly
This is typically accompanied by a series of beeps from the motor.
- Check for anything that might restrict foot pedal movement. Any command from the foot pedal overrides and will disengage Advanced GPS Navigation functions.
- Advanced GPS Navigation is voltage sensitive, check the connections between the batteries and the motor and have the batteries load tested. Any loss of power or GPS with disengage Advanced GPS Navigation functions.
- If a GPS signal is not available the Advanced GPS Navigation cannot engage.
Boat Drifting or has Erratic Steering when in Spot-Lock with Advanced GPS Navigation
Spot-Lock uses a single point of reference that is recorded when the Spot-Lock button is pressed. The reference point is a set of GPS coordinates based on the location of the motor at the moment the button is pressed. This point is recorded and can be saved into one of the Spot-Lock memory locations. Spot-Lock works by creating an Arrival Circle around the Spot-Lock that the motor will automatically navigate to and try to stay within. Spot-Lock engages the motor to keep it in the Arrival Circle around the Spot-Lock location. Advanced GPS Navigation sees the motor is within the Arrival Circle, it will adjust the motor speed to zero. If Advanced GPS Navigation sees the motor is outside of the circle, it will control motor speed and direction in an attempt to get the boat back into the Arrival Circle.
Expected Accuracy for Spot-Lock
Spot-Lock for trolling motors with Advanced GPS Navigation is expected to be within 5 feet.
Troubleshooting Erratic steering while in AutoPilot
Below are troubleshooting steps for erratic steering with your Advanced GPS Navigation system.
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Load test the battery and check all connections.
A drop in voltage to the motor will cause the GPS information to be inaccurate and will cause erratic steering. -
Verify proper GPS signal.
The GPS signal strength indicator on the Advanced GPS Navigation Wireless Remote should show at least 1 bar. -
Change the AutoPilot mode.
AutoPilot has 2 modes to select from:-
Locked Heading AutoPilot
Locked Heading AutoPilot uses an internal compass to provide heading lock. When Locked Heading AutoPilot is on, it keeps the motor pointed in the same compass direction. If a manual steering correction is made, Locked Heading AutoPilot locks onto the new compass heading to which the boat was steered. This method of heading tracking does not take into account external forces such as a side wind or currents, which can allow side drift. -
Locked Course AutoPilot
Locked Course AutoPilot not only uses compass heading but also GPS data to correct for cross winds, current and other external forces to keep the boat on the intended course. When Locked Course AutoPilot is turned on, it creates a course that it will follow. When the user steers to a new heading, a new course is created. Locked Course AutoPilot will keep the boat on the course in most conditions. When very extreme conditions exist, such as very strong winds or currents, the trolling motor may not have enough power to control the boat smoothly. In these extreme cases, it may be best to use Locked Heading AutoPilot and let the boat move with the wind or current if the motor is not powerful enough to overcome it.
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Locked Heading AutoPilot
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Adjust the boat scale on the Advanced GPS Navigation Wireless remote.
Ideal installation for a trolling motor is to have the proper amount of thrust for the size of the boat. If the motor thrust is not properly matched to the boat size it can cause overshooting the Spot-Lock location. -
Keep all ferrous metallic objects away from the Advanced GPS Navigation Controller (top head)
This includes anchors, metal framework, etc which may cause interference. -
Heading Sensor Interference
-
External Heading Sensor (non-QUEST motors)
The heading sensor needs to be in a place where it is not subject to magnetic interference. Ensure that the heading sensor is mounted at least 24 inches from magnetic or ferrous materials or anything that may create magnetic interference. This includes: base of the trolling motor, anchors, metal railings, speakers, radios, and trolling motor battery wires. It must be mounted on a flat, horizontal surface with the arrow on the heading sensor parallel to the boat’s keel. It should also have a line of sight to the trolling motor. -
Internal Heading Sensor (QUEST motors)
The Advanced GPS Navigation Controller (top head) needs to be away from magnetic interference. Ensure the Advanced GPS Navigation Controller (top head) is at least 24 inches from magnetic or ferrous materials or anything that may create magnetic interference. This includes: anchors, metal railings, speakers, radios, and trolling motor battery wires.
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External Heading Sensor (non-QUEST motors)
-
Clean debris behind Prop
Check for weeds, fishing line, or other debris behind the prop that may restrict the movement.
Advanced GPS Navigation AutoPilot Accuracy and Responsiveness
The accuracy and responsiveness with which the Advanced GPS Navigation controls your boat is highly dependent upon many variables:
- Ratio of motor thrust to boat weight. The effect of this is excessive thrust on a smaller boat can cause Advanced GPS Navigation to over correct. Not enough thrust on a large boat can cause Advanced GPS Navigation to respond slowly.
- Wind. Excessive wind and/or current can reduce Advanced GPS Navigation’s positioning accuracy.
- GPS signal strength. The greater number of GPS signal bars the greater the accuracy. As voltage at the motor lowers the GPS will become less accurate or drop out completely.