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GPS Navigation Repair (Advanced GPS, i-Pilot, i-Pilot Link)

Updated

Click here to download the GPS Navigation Repair Manual PDF

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Tools

Required Diagnostic Tools:

  • Foot Pedal compatible with the motor being evaluated

Boat/Rigging Diagnostic Tools

  • VOM/Multimeter
  • Battery Load Tester

Optional Diagnostic Tools:

  • Cart with Power Supply and Motor Mounting Location
  • Open space with a clear view of the sky where you can maneuver the cart

History (Systems In Chronological Order)

i-Pilot (i-PILOT 1.0) 2009-2010 (NON-BLUETOOTH)

  • Combined AutoPilot and CoPilot functions
  • Introduced Advanced AutoPilot feature used to navigate to a specific destination using GPS headings as opposed to a magnetic compass.
  • Introduced Spot-Lock, an electronic anchor feature
  • The ability to save and recall up to three Spot Locks
  • Users could also record and playback three tracks each up to half a mile long.

i-Pilot 1.5 2011 – 2016 (NON-BLUETOOTH)

  • Larger remote screen
  • Increased storage of saved Spot-Lock locations and tracks to six.

i-Pilot Link (i-PILOT 2.0) 2011 – 2016

  • Non-Bluetooth
  • i-Pilot Link allows the Minn Kota and compatible Humminbird units to communicate with each other via Ethernet connection, increasing the storage of saved Spot-Locks and i-Tracks to 2,500 and storing them in the Humminbird’s memory.
  • Update software via SD card inserted into the Humminbird
  • Ability to navigate to waypoints saved in the Humminbird
  • Follow-The-Contour (if connected to the Humminbird unit with the Ethernet Cable). Follow-The-Contour allows the boat to navigate automatically, using information from LakeMaster or AutoChart Live maps.
    • A LakeMaster map to follow a depth contour
    • The AutoChart Live data allows following along a bottom hardness, vegetation, or depth contour line from a custom map

i-Pilot 1.6 BLUETOOTH (2017 – 2023)

  • Increased storage of saved Spot-Lock locations and tracks to 16
  • Bluetooth Capability, allowing for the use of the i-Pilot App to update software and remote functions from a smartphone
  • Bluetooth also allows connectivity of the trolling motor to the Talon or Raptor Shallow Water Anchors
  • Introduction of the Heading Sensor. Once paired to an i-Pilot Controller it gives an additional feature of Spot-Lock Jog (Included with Ultrex, Ulterra, and Terrova models. Not included with PowerDrive models, but can be added.

i-Pilot Link BT (i-PILOT 3.0 BLUETOOTH) (2017 – 2023)

  • i-Pilot Link allows the Minn Kota and compatible Humminbird units to communicate with each other via Ethernet connection, increasing the storage of saved Spot-Locks and i-Tracks to 2,500 and storing them in the Humminbird’s memory.
  • Ability to navigate to waypoints saved in the Humminbird
  • Follow-The-Contour (if connected to the Humminbird unit with the Ethernet Cable). Follow-The-Contour allows the boat to navigate automatically, using information from LakeMaster or AutoChart Live maps.
    • A LakeMaster map to follow a depth contour
    • The AutoChart Live data allows following along a bottom hardness, vegetation, or depth contour line from a custom map
  • Bluetooth Capability, allowing for the use of the i-Pilot App to update software and remote functions from a smartphone
  • Bluetooth also allows connectivity of the trolling motor to the Talon or Raptor Shallow Water Anchors
  • Introduction of the Heading Sensor. Once paired to an i-Pilot Controller it gives an additional feature of Spot-Lock Jog (Included with Ultrex, Ulterra, and Terrova models. Not included with PowerDrive models, but can be added.
  • Circle Mode was a new feature that was available if connected to a compatible Humminbird unit.

Advanced GPS (2023 – Present)

  • This replaces both i-Pilot and i-Pilot Link
  • All equipped motors will have an Ethernet connection which will allow connectivity to compatible Humminbird units if the user wants to.
  • Dodge Mode while in a navigation mode, the user can temporarily suspend or pause the navigation mode to manually steer and then resume the suspended navigation mode
  • Drift Mode will automatically engage Advanced AutoPilot and Cruise Control simultaneously to maintain boat control and speed while drifting
  • Locked Heading AutoPilot uses a compass heading to keep the motor pointed in the same compass direction
  • Locked Course AutoPilot uses compass heading and GPS data to correct for wind, current and external forces to keep the boat on the intended course

Navigation System Specifications

  • Advanced GPS Navigation/i-Pilot 4.0
    2023-Present
    Equipped on all QUEST motors, all Ultrex and Ulterra, Optional on Terrova and PowerDrive
    14 Button Remote powered by 2 AA batteries. Remote has 4 programmable One Boat Network Buttons, buttons for SpotLock, Menu, AutoPilot, Cruise Control and Power. Remote is Waterproof, Remote does NOT float.
    Can be Connected to Humminbird Ethernet via standard Humminbird Ethernet Cable. 30’ Cable included with motors equipped with Advanced GPS Navigation

    The One Boat Network App, available for Android and iOS smart phones, has full motor control for motors equipped with Advanced GPS Navigation.
  • i-Pilot BT/i-Pilot 1.6
    2017-2023
    Optional Equipment on Ultrex, Ulterra, Terrova and PowerDrive Motors.
    16 Button Remote Powered by 3 AA batteries. 2 Soft Keys, function identified by the on screen option directly above the soft key, up/down menu navigation, Home, OK, Basic Motor Operation, GoTo, Cruise Control, Spot Lock, High Speed, and AutoPilot.
    Can be controlled using the i-Pilot app available for Android and iOS smart phones. The App has basic motor controls only, the App’s primary function is allowing software updates of the system.
  • i-Pilot Link BT/i-Pilot 3.0
    2017-2023
    Optional Equipment on Ultrex, Ulterra, and Terrova Motors.
    9 Button plus Touch Screen Remote Powered by a rechargeable LiPo battery. Navigation button (Finger), Spot Lock, Basic Motor Control, OK, and Home. Most options accessed via touch screen navigation.
    Connects to Humminbird Ethernet for additional Control Options.
    Can be controlled using the i-Pilot Link app available for Android and iOS smart phones. The App has basic motor controls only, the App’s primary function is allowing software updates of the system.

  • i-Pilot/i-Pilot 1.0 & 1.5
    2009-2016 (1.0 2009-2010, 1.5 2010-2016)
    Add-on accessory for PowerDrive & Terrova. Optionally Equipped on Ulterra, Terrova, PowerDrive.
    15 Button Remote Powered by a CR2450 Coin Cell Battery. Basic Motor Controls, Back Light, Record, AutoPilot, Cruise Control, Track to Start, Track to End, Pause, Spot Lock and Spot Lock recall. Ulterra
    Motors received a remote with 3 additional Buttons, Trim up, Trim Down, and Stow/Deploy.
    These remotes are waterproof when new and do float. These remotes, the 1.0 Remote especially, was susceptible to tearing of the buttons that would allow water intrusion.
  • i-Pilot Link/i-Pilot 2.0
    2010-2016
    Add-on Accessory for PowerDrive and Terrova.
    Optionally equipped on Ulterra and Terrova.
    15 Button remote powered by a rechargeable LiPo battery. 2 Soft Keys, function identified by the on screen option directly above the soft key, up/down menu navigation, Home, OK, Basic Motor Operation, GoTo, Cruise Control, Spot Lock, and AutoPilot.
    Connects to Humminbird Ethernet for additional Control Options.
    Software updates done via SD Card inserted in connected Humminbird Unit.

Repair Scenarios

CASE I. Motor is making erratic corrections when under GPS Navigation System Control (Spot Lock, AutoPilot, etc.)

  1. Check all electrical connections and battery condition to ensure that the proper voltage is supplied to the motor. Consistent voltage is critical to ensure the built-in compass is working correctly. (The i-Pilot system uses an internal compass to know which direction the controller and GPS receiver is pointing.) A load test of the battery should be performed to verify the battery(s) condition; a simple voltage check is not diagnostic.
  2. Be sure to keep all ferrous metallic objects away from the i-Pilot Controller as they will have an impact on the built-in compass. Such objects include: anchors, metal framework, etc…
  3. Check to ensure proper motor leadwire routing in control box.
    1. The red and black motor leads in the control box should be routed on the coil cord half of the control box. (Away from the compass of the i-Pilot controller.)
    2. The red and black motor leads in the control box should be twisted around each other to cancel out the magnetic field created around these wires when the motor is running.
      1. If the motor shaft was shortened, the brush leadwire should also be cut back the same length.
      2. If the motor shaft was shortened and the motor has a built-in transducer, the extra transducer cable should be routed out of the control box and down the coil cord.

  4. The i-Pilot GPS-based functions are dependent on having good GPS signals (Advanced AutoPilot, Spot-Lock, Track to Start/End). Check to make sure that a good signal is being received and that the GPS signal strength indicator on the i-Pilot remote is showing at least one (1) bar. See Case V.
  5. If the motor with i-Pilot being serviced is a 2017 or later model (Bluetooth version):
    1. If motor has a separate Heading Sensor, it is very important that the Heading Sensor is properly installed and has gone through the calibration and offset procedures. While the Heading Sensor is there to help with navigation performance; if it is not properly installed/calibrated it can have a negative influence.
      1. Temporarily remove power from the Heading Sensor and see how Spot-Lock performance is impacted. If performance is improved, suspect that the Heading Sensor was improperly installed. (The Heading Sensor contains a compass that detects a magnetic field so it should not be installed near ferrous metals or wires that handle large currents, such as batteries, power cables, or speakers.) The Heading Sensor will not lose it pairing to the i-Pilot system when it is powered down.
    2. Boat Scale can be adjusted on the i-Pilot remote.
      1. 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, Boat Scale can be used to compensate for the mismatch. The default is zero, assuming that the boat and trolling motor thrust are properly matched. For an installation where the motor thrust is undersized for the boat, increase the Boat Scale. For installation where the motor thrust is oversized for the boat, decrease the Boat Scale.
  6. If, after following the previous steps, the problem of erratic steering persists replace the i-Pilot Controller.

CASE II. The boat doesn’t seem to keep close enough to the recorded Spot-Lock location.

  1. Verify the trolling motor batteries are sufficiently charged.
  2. Check for weeds wrapped around and under the prop.
  3. In more extreme wind and current conditions, the boat will tend to stabilize a little downwind from the intended location. Relock the location the same distance upwind and expect that the boat will drift some in the downwind direction.
  4. See CASE I. Motor is making erratic corrections when under GPS Navigation System Control (Spot Lock, AutoPilot, etc.)

CASE III. When in Advanced AutoPilot in strong winds, there is quite a bit of back and forth movement in the boat.

  1. While Advanced AutoPilot will keep your boat on a true heading, it may be at the expense of the boat having to continuously move to get back on the correct course. In these extreme conditions you may be better off using Legacy AutoPilot and correcting for the wind manually.
  2. See CASE I. Motor is making erratic corrections when under GPS Navigation System Control (Spot Lock, AutoPilot, etc.)

CASE IV. GPS features (Advanced AutoPilot, Spot Lock, Record a Track) will not engage.

  1. Verify that the GPS signal strength icon on the remote’s LCD shows at least one bar. If there are no bars, the system will not allow these GPS-based features to be enabled.

    1. Ensure that the motor has a clear view of the sky so it can obtain GPS reception. (Motor cannot be indoors or under a roof, bridge, or tree canopy.)
    2. Ensure the minimum voltage requirements at the motor are met.
    3. Replace the Controller (Head).

CASE V. The i-Pilot GPS-based features drop out when the motor speed setting is increased.

Voltage to the system is dropping based on amp draw of the motor. This is not an issue within the motor. Load Test the batteries, check the connections. In operation the voltage to the Motor must not drop more than 5%.

Minn Kota One Boat Network and i-Pilot Videos

  • MEGA Down Imaging w/Jason Halfen
  • Built in MEGA Imaging w/Chris Zaldain
  • Built in MEGA Side Imaging w/Jason Halfen
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