Really appreciate you posting and this is the best solution if attaching a transducer to the motor. I went so far as purchasing all the parts and then went another route. I really don't like what Minn Kota did with these motors as it is difficult to find a transducer solution short of buying a motor with one built-in. I ended up not buying a new motor,, but a new lower unit with the built-in transducer as I'm only interested in depth and temp. I purchased a new boat that had a 42lb Power Drive which I'm fine with as I only fish a couple of lakes and no rivers. That said there is no lower unit in that thrust size. Emailed Minn Kota and asked them if I could swap out the 42 to the 55 with transducer and they said it would work, no problem. I opted to buy the 55 with the bult in transducer and a new shaft. I purchased the new shaft as it was cheap and would save time and heart ache. All said and done it ran me about $250. I know it isn't cheap, but it is cheaper than buying a new motor with all the features for about $1300. I posted this not only to thank you for your work, but also an option for others who may want to go the route I did. Thank you for the great vid!
Hi Gman, great solution! May I ask where you got the bike cable from? If you don’t recall, do you know what length you used? Having a tough time finding a black one like you put on yours.
Just having the same issue! Thanks for the video. I am a bit worried about grass and stuff getting hung up on the cord but I don’t think there is much options
@@GmanfromTexas Ok great! I actually won a new Helix 9 DI/SI G4 for the cockpit and I’m moving my Helix 5 DI to the bow. I ordered the XTM-9 for my trolling motor. I think your tip is going to work great!! Thanks
I haven’t noticed any vibration on the Lowrance display. Although I rely mostly on the Humminbird at the console the Lowrance at the trolling motor seems to work fine in my application
I gave it a good test run yesterday. We spent about 8 hrs on the water in 8 - 15 mph wind and it worked flawlessly ! I'm glad I came across your vid, Much appreciated.
I purchased mine at Walmart 6 ft for $ 4.77 coils right up perfectly. Brand: Hyper Tough. It’s just a cable. (No lock) Also a side note, on my power drive 55 Thrust, I needed a 3” eyebolt, because the threads are recessed deeper.
I’m not sure now. But I took one of the head’s original bolts to my local hardware store and matched it up. I want to say it was 1/4 but not sure. It’s been too long now.
I didn’t have to drill. I replaced one of the powerdrive’s cover screw with a 2” long eyebolt. The eyebolt goes through the plastic cover into the steel base of the power drive.
@@GmanfromTexas Wow thanks for getting back so quick .I was thinking I would have to drill a whole and bolt it in, I have a minnkota terrrova very buy still similar to yours.
@@aahollywood1 I try not to drill if I can avoid it. I think the Terrova has a similar housing. BTW in hindsight I wish I would have gone with the Terrova.
@@GmanfromTexas and I wish I had found your videos a year ago.I am a little concerned my transducer just barely fits between the prop and the skag , I hope this works.
Great idea! You have a lowrance correct? What kind of transducer is that? Do you have full function of it through the lowrance? We haveJust got a terrova and just found out it’s only compatible for ipilot function and that’s it. So, we’re getting a special cable to go from ipilot to the lowrance. We don’t have a transducer obviously since it’s an ipilot. New subscriber here. Looking forward to more videos. From Wisconsin
You are correct. My Lowrance does not integrate with iPilot. I just use it as a down and side scan visual. I recently bought a Humminbird at the console and will connect to the iPilot in the near futures
@@GmanfromTexas so, you’ll have 2 cords to connect to hummingbird? One from minn Kota ipilot and other for transducer you added? What transducer is it? Looking to add like you did
@@kwaks1979 I installed the transducer that comes with the Lowrance reveal 7. It’s not connected to the iPilot just straight between Lowrance and transducer. I haven’t installed the Humminbird to the iPilot because I purchased the trolling motor without iLink by mistake. So I have to change the iPilot head in order to network with Humminbird. I’m not doing that at this time yet
@@GmanfromTexas yeah. Wish we would have spent the extra $100 when we were looking online to get the link and came with remote and pedal. Live and learn I guess. Thanks for the reply.
I think you mean the stainless steel eyebolt that is attaching the cable to the trolling motor base? I replaced the factory screw with a three inch eyebolt and a nut to hold it in place. Is that what you mean?
Gman, I believe he was asking how you got the cover of the trolling motor tight with using the eyebolt. I’m guessing you used a nut or two threaded onto the eyebolt at the correct depth to snug up on the plastic shield?
Really appreciate you posting and this is the best solution if attaching a transducer to the motor. I went so far as purchasing all the parts and then went another route. I really don't like what Minn Kota did with these motors as it is difficult to find a transducer solution short of buying a motor with one built-in. I ended up not buying a new motor,, but a new lower unit with the built-in transducer as I'm only interested in depth and temp. I purchased a new boat that had a 42lb Power Drive which I'm fine with as I only fish a couple of lakes and no rivers. That said there is no lower unit in that thrust size. Emailed Minn Kota and asked them if I could swap out the 42 to the 55 with transducer and they said it would work, no problem. I opted to buy the 55 with the bult in transducer and a new shaft. I purchased the new shaft as it was cheap and would save time and heart ache. All said and done it ran me about $250. I know it isn't cheap, but it is cheaper than buying a new motor with all the features for about $1300. I posted this not only to thank you for your work, but also an option for others who may want to go the route I did. Thank you for the great vid!
Cool glad I could help
Perfect solution, thanks for sharing! I literally said "Beautiful" out loud and my wife said "Why, thank you"! 😆
Great. Thanks for watching!!
Brilliant. I've been scratching my head on how to do this and never thought of this. Makes perfect sense.
I’ve used it several times already. It works great
Hi Gman, great solution! May I ask where you got the bike cable from? If you don’t recall, do you know what length you used? Having a tough time finding a black one like you put on yours.
Hi Josh. I got a six foot master at eBay. I know they are hard to find
I have the exact same boat as you ,Tracker pro 170 . Love it , bought new four years ago getting a lot of good ideas from your videos thanks.
Cool glad I could help
Best way by far. Ive seen spring i stalls. This takes the cake! Great job Gman.
Cool glad I could help
Thank you g man! Genius!
Glad I could help
Innovative! I like your get-ship-done methodology G-Man TX❤
Thanks
Awesome idea, best yet that I've seen. Thanks for posting!
Glad you liked it!
Awesome, I just snapped a transducer cable on my first trip out after installing i-pilot on my pdv2....I will be implementing this immediately.
It works great
Hey Gman ! What length of bike lock cable did you use ?
I used a 6’ length.
@@GmanfromTexas thanks man ! I’d your trolling motor at 54 inch shaft ?
@@AnglinwithInglis yes 54 shaft. The 6’ lock cable works because it only needs to coil around the lower section of the shaft
Great idea. Thanks for sharing!
You are so welcome!
Just having the same issue! Thanks for the video. I am a bit worried about grass and stuff getting hung up on the cord but I don’t think there is much options
I haven't gotten any tangles due to the coiling of the cable and zip tying it tightly.
@@GmanfromTexas Ok great! I actually won a new Helix 9 DI/SI G4 for the cockpit and I’m moving my Helix 5 DI to the bow. I ordered the XTM-9 for my trolling motor. I think your tip is going to work great!! Thanks
@@tonydaicar1663 Awesome on the new Helix. I'm glad I could help
Smart idea with the bike lock cable!
I've wondered with these setups is the accuracy of the transducer affected by the prop spinning / vibration?
I haven’t noticed any vibration on the Lowrance display. Although I rely mostly on the Humminbird at the console the Lowrance at the trolling motor seems to work fine in my application
Great thinking! Doing this today.
@@Nonstop_Dancer it works
Great idea , thanks. Just bought a power drive and I'll be using this method.
Glad I could help
That was so easy! I'll try it. Thanks so much. I would have never thought of that! THANKS.
I bought the bike lock on eBay. It has worked for months now
Walamrt had what I needed Installed outfit in an hour. Too hot to try it out today. Sunday is the equipment check out. Thanks for your help.
@@Ralphcanoeingadventures glad I could help. Enjoy
Perfect solution, thanks for sharing.
It works. I had tried all kinds of ways this is the one.
Not sure why there are no comments. That’s awesome!
Thanks. It was the easiest way I found to do it.
Just bought this same MK. Think I will use your idea. Thanks
Glad I could help
Thanks ! This is exactly what I needed to know
Glad it was helpful!
Where did you buy the bike cable ? What brand ? I've tried 3 different one's and neither holds coil, They go straight.
Found it ! "Hyper Tough" Weatherproof Steel Cable @ Walmart
I bought it on EBay. It’s a Master 6’. Try this search on EBay
Master Lock 61DSPT - Equipment And Canoes - 6’ Coiling Cable
I gave it a good test run yesterday. We spent about 8 hrs on the water in 8 - 15 mph wind and it worked flawlessly ! I'm glad I came across your vid, Much appreciated.
@@jasonsummers705 awesome. Glad I could help
I purchased mine at Walmart 6 ft for $ 4.77 coils right up perfectly. Brand: Hyper Tough. It’s just a cable. (No lock) Also a side note, on my power drive 55 Thrust, I needed a 3” eyebolt, because the threads are recessed deeper.
which bike cable did u buy, i can't find one that's springy
I bought a master 6’ from eBay
Watch that same video as you did seems like the best way to do it
It’s working for me perfectly
@@GmanfromTexas gonna try it on mine..Thanks again for the info
Perfect solution for what I need. Thanks sir!
Thanks. Glad I could help
What size eye bolt is that? Did you have to get a certain threading?
I’m not sure now. But I took one of the head’s original bolts to my local hardware store and matched it up. I want to say it was 1/4 but not sure. It’s been too long now.
@@GmanfromTexas good idea, thank you
This helped me a lot THANKS.
Great. Glad I could help
Hi G Man what size of coils did you buy
I bought a 6 foot bike lock on Ebay
What size eye bolt did you use , and did you have to drill a hole for it or is that a feature of the Power drive ?
I didn’t have to drill. I replaced one of the powerdrive’s cover screw with a 2” long eyebolt. The eyebolt goes through the plastic cover into the steel base of the power drive.
@@GmanfromTexas Wow thanks for getting back so quick .I was thinking I would have to drill a whole and bolt it in, I have a minnkota terrrova very buy still similar to yours.
@@aahollywood1 I try not to drill if I can avoid it. I think the Terrova has a similar housing. BTW in hindsight I wish I would have gone with the Terrova.
@@GmanfromTexas and I wish I had found your videos a year ago.I am a little concerned my transducer just barely fits between the prop and the skag , I hope this works.
@@aahollywood1 good luck
Thank You, it worked perfectly for me.
Cool. Glad I could help
Great idea! You have a lowrance correct? What kind of transducer is that? Do you have full function of it through the lowrance? We haveJust got a terrova and just found out it’s only compatible for ipilot function and that’s it. So, we’re getting a special cable to go from ipilot to the lowrance. We don’t have a transducer obviously since it’s an ipilot. New subscriber here. Looking forward to more videos. From Wisconsin
You are correct. My Lowrance does not integrate with iPilot. I just use it as a down and side scan visual. I recently bought a Humminbird at the console and will connect to the iPilot in the near futures
@@GmanfromTexas so, you’ll have 2 cords to connect to hummingbird? One from minn Kota ipilot and other for transducer you added? What transducer is it? Looking to add like you did
@@kwaks1979 I installed the transducer that comes with the Lowrance reveal 7. It’s not connected to the iPilot just straight between Lowrance and transducer. I haven’t installed the Humminbird to the iPilot because I purchased the trolling motor without iLink by mistake. So I have to change the iPilot head in order to network with Humminbird. I’m not doing that at this time yet
@@GmanfromTexas yeah. Wish we would have spent the extra $100 when we were looking online to get the link and came with remote and pedal. Live and learn I guess. Thanks for the reply.
Great idea, do you remember the bike lock lengths?
Hi Eugene. The bike lock is 6’ long
What length is the bike lock chain Sir ??
It’s a six footer. I got it on eBay.
Great idea! Is that a 6ft cable?
Yes. It’s a 6’ bicycle lock
@@GmanfromTexas Appreciate it!
How long was the bicycle lock cable
Is a six foot cable. I got it on EBay
Awesome video by far the best way 👍👍
Wow, thanks!
I wish this was out when I installed mine. Gonna have to do this
It works great
@Caspian Tate good. Please let me know how it goes.
@Makai Remy Yer right...No one gives a shit.
Hey G Man what is the Circle bolt at the top to hold the lip
I think you mean the stainless steel eyebolt that is attaching the cable to the trolling motor base? I replaced the factory screw with a three inch eyebolt and a nut to hold it in place. Is that what you mean?
@@GmanfromTexas Do you know what gauge or diameter the 3 inch eyebolts is? I had a thumb screw on my mini kota, but lost in on a bumpy trailer ride.
@@geoffreyquaile4383 I believe it is a 1/4” x 3” eyebolt.
Thanks @@GmanfromTexas
Do you remember what length the bicycle cable is
Is a 6’ bicycle lock
@@GmanfromTexas Thank you so much buddy
Glad to help
Awesome, thanks for the solution
Cool. Glad I could help
seen a few good ones' this is the best
Thanks. Glad I could help
Excellent idea
Thanks a lot
how did u keep cover tight on side with eyebolt in its place
I had to exchange the boat cover to a larger cover in order to have it fit
Sorry I don’t understand your question
Gman, I believe he was asking how you got the cover of the trolling motor tight with using the eyebolt. I’m guessing you used a nut or two threaded onto the eyebolt at the correct depth to snug up on the plastic shield?
@@Fishymcfish11 exactly. I used a nut inside the cover and another in the outside to get the right fit
Jay sorry I was confused. I used a nut on the inside of the plastic cover and another nut on the outside and just adjusted to the size I wanted
is it still holding up ?
Yea sir. Like a champ. No tangles. Secured in place still.
Good stuff
Thanks
I had a dame of a time finding the coiled bike cable
I found mine on eBay. It’s a master 6 foot coiled bike lock
I have to find the circle for the Minn kota
What do you mean by find the circle?
not following what u mean about side cover
Sorry Jay I didn’t understand your question
You need to patent that
Haha. I wish. I actually copied it from someone
Aww fuk yea now that’s the way I’m gonna do it hell yea damn that’s Fukien smart as hell. Thank you Jesus
Great