1. Minn Kota
  2. Trolling Motors
  3. Electric Steer Motors

Using the Bluetooth PowerDrive (2017-2023)

Updated

The PowerDrive is available with a foot pedal, with i-Pilot, or in the case of the Riptide models, is available with CoPilot. i-Pilot and CoPilot are available as upgrade kits with the links below. If you have i-Pilot on your PowerDrive, you will not be able to use the foot pedal. If you have i-Pilot installed, the PowerDrive can only be operated by the i-Pilot Remote.

i-Pilot Motors

The PowerDrives with i-Pilot installed are not able to use a foot pedal along with the i-Pilot remote. There is an upgrade kit available to add i-Pilot to your PowerDrive (2017 or newer) if you would like to add i-Pilot to your motor. The links for ordering the upgrade kit and the i-Pilot Manuals are listed below.

CoPilot

CoPilot gives you the ability to turn your prop on and off, increase or decrease your speed, and steer left or right. If you have CoPilot on your motor, you can use both the CoPilot remote and the foot pedal to control your motor. Click the link below if your motor came with a foot pedal and you would like to purchase the CoPilot.

Installation Considerations

When installing the PowerDrive, we recommend following the instructions in the PowerDrive Installation Guide. We also recommend a 60 amp circuit breaker if your PowerDrive has 50lbs of thrust or more. If it is below 50 lbs of thrust you will need a 50 amp circuit breaker. You may also want to consider using a Trolling Motor Plug as it will allow you to easily disconnect your motor from power when not in use or when charging the trolling motor batteries.

Motor Functions

  • Deploy
    Loosen the Depth Collar and push firmly down on the Deploy-Assist Lever to release the Latch Collar. Slide the motor forward, out from the Mount Ramp. Lower the motor to the desired depth. Make sure it clicks into a secure, vertical position. Once at the desired depth, slide the Depth Collar against the Steering Housing and tighten.
  • Stow
    Loosen the Depth Collar and depress the Tilt Lock Lever and raise the motor by pulling up on the composite shaft or control head. Pull the motor toward the stern until it rests securely on the Mount Ramp and the Deploy-Assist Lever captures the Latch Collar. Slide the Depth Collar down and secure it against the top of the Steering Housing to secure the motor in place and prevent accidental deployment.
  • Trimming
    Once the boat is on the water, it may be necessary to adjust the Lower Unit up or down to achieve an optimum depth for motor performance. When setting the depth of the motor, be sure the top of the motor is submerged at least 12” below the surface of the water to avoid churning or agitation of surface water.
    While holding the Shaft, loosen the Depth Collar Knob until the Shaft can slide up and down freely. Raise or lower the motor to the desired depth. Turn the motor control head to the desired position. Slide the Depth Collar against the Steering Housing and tighten the Depth Collar Knob to secure the motor in place.
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Adjusting the Latch Collar

Once the motor has been used, it may be necessary to adjust the Latch Collar up or down. The ideal adjustment is a slightly loose fit that completely captures the Latch Collar in the Deploy Assist Lever when stowed.
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  1. With the motor in the stowed position, locate the Latch Collar.
  2. Using a #2 Phillips Screwdriver, loosen the screw securing the Latch Collar in place.
  3. Rotate the Latch Collar so it fits comfortably within the hold of the Deploy Assist Lever.
  4. Re-tighten the screw to secure the Latch Collar in place.

Using the Foot Pedal

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  • Turning the prop on and off
    The Momentary Button is located at the heel end of the foot pedal and is used to turn the propeller on. The Momentary/Constant Switch is used to toggle between Momentary and Constant Mode. During Momentary Mode (MOM), the propeller only turns while pressure is applied to the Momentary Button. While in Constant Mode (CON), the propeller will run continuously regardless of pressure being applied to the Momentary Button. If a propeller encounters an obstruction while either in Momentary or Constant Mode, while the propeller is running, the increased electrical current being generated by the obstruction will signal the motor to decrease the power to the propeller to prevent damage. If the current overload is detected for more than 20 seconds, the prop will be disabled to prevent damage to the motor. In this event, the operator can turn the prop back on after being sure that the obstruction has been cleared.
  • Increasing and Decreasing Speed
    The Speed Control dial is on the upper right side of the toe end of the Foot Pedal. Turn the Speed Knob forward to increase speed and backward to decrease speed. Speed can also be adjusted using the remote, if applicable.
  • Momentary/Constant
    The Momentary/Constant Switch is used to toggle between Momentary and Constant Mode. During Momentary Mode (MOM), the propeller only turns while pressure is applied to the momentary Button. While in Constant Mode (CON), the propeller will run continuously regardless of pressure being applied to the Momentary Button. The Momentary Button is located at the heel end of the foot pedal and is used to turn the propeller on.
    If a propeller encounters an obstruction while either in Momentary or Constant Mode, while the propeller is running, the increased electrical current being generated by the obstruction will signal the motor to decrease the power to the propeller to prevent damage. If the current overload is detected for more than 20 seconds, the prop will be disabled to prevent damage to the motor. In this event, the operator can turn the prop back on after being sure that the obstruction has been cleared.
  • Steering the Motor
    The main button on the foot pedal is to control steering. Steer Right by applying pressure to the right side of the button and Steer Left by applying pressure to the left side of the button. The position and direction of the Steering Head directly corresponds to the position of the motor. You must use your foot on the pedal to control the steering direction during manual operation. The direction of the motor can also be controlled with the remote.

PowerDrive Remote Options

The PowerDrive has 2 options for remotes, i-Pilot or CoPilot. The remote you have will determine how to use it. Download the Quick Reference Guides for using the PowerDrive with a Remote by clicking on the picture of your remote.

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Using the i-Pilot Remote
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  • Turning the prop on and off
    When turning on the prop, the motor needs to be at least 18 inches below the mount. There is a lockout zone to prevent the motor from accidentally turning on and causing damage. Using the remote, the prop can be turned on and off by pressing the prop button.
  • Increasing and Decreasing Speed
    To increase or decrease your speed with the remote, the motor must be deployed and the prop on. Then press the + button to increase your speed and the - button to decrease your speed.
  • Steering the Motor
    To steer the motor left or right with the remote, the motor must be deployed. You can use the right arrow button to turn the motor to the right and the left arrow button to turn the motor to the left.

Using the CoPilot Remote

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  • Turning the prop on and off
    This button is located in the middle of the remote. It turns the propeller on or off. Press the button once to turn the propeller ON and press the button a second time to turn the propeller OFF. The button does not need to be held down.
  • Increasing and Decreasing Speed
    The Increase Speed and Decrease Speed buttons are located on the top of the remote and are identified with a positive and negative symbol. Pressing and releasing these buttons causes the speed to increase or decrease by one level. The speed is adjustable from level 0-10. At level 0, the prop will not turn.
    In audio mode 2, an audible beep is heard for each step change in speed. Attempting to go higher than speed 10 or lower than speed 0 will result in the speed not changing and no beep will be heard. See the Audio Mode section for more information.
    If the receiver senses no foot pedal or remote operation for 1 hour, the remote speed setting is automatically set to zero. This helps prevent unintentional activation of the propeller if the PROP ON/OFF remote button is inadvertently pressed.
  • Steering the Motor
    These buttons are located to the right and left of the Prop ON/OFF button and have an arrow symbol. They cause the motor to turn in the desired direction as long as the button is held down. If a steering button is held for more than seven seconds, the steering will automatically stop until the button is pressed again.
  • Operating with the CoPilot Remote and Foot Pedal
    • When the Momentary/Constant Switch on the foot pedal is in the CON position OR when the Momentary button on the foot pedal is held down, the receiver WILL NOT RESPOND to any remote commands. When the remote commands are received, the receiver will emit an audible chirp. This indicates the remote is functioning properly but the foot pedal is active and overriding the remote.
    • When the Momentary/Constant Switch is in the MOM position, you can use the remote.
    • As soon as any button is pressed, the initial speed setting will be set to approximately the same value as the Speed Control on the foot pedal. The prop will not automatically turn on until the Prop ON/OFF button on the remote is pressed.
    • Pressing the Momentary Button on the Foot Pedal or adjusting the Speed Control dial will override the remote and receiver function. Control of the motor will automatically go to the Foot Pedal. The prop speed will also revert to the current value if the Speed Control dial on the Foot Pedal.
    • If the foot pedal is not being used, the CoPilot receiver will always react to any commands from the CoPilot remote.

CoPilot Audio Modes

There are 3 receiver Audio Modes available. The unit is factory set to Audio Mode 2. To switch from one mode to another, simultaneously press and hold the increase and decrease speed buttons for 1 second. The receiver will respond with 1, 2, or 3 audible beeps indicating the corresponding receiver audio mode change.
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