Troubleshooting Power Issues on the Force® Trolling Motor

NOTE: If the Force® Trolling Motor was self-installed or installed by a non-certified installer, then issues that delve into uninstallation should only be done by a certified installer (see the Garmin Marine Warranty Policy). Testing physical connections that require no uninstallation of cables or components, such as visual inspection of external connections, and externally testing connection points with a voltage tester or amp meter will not void the warranty for more specific guidance or questions/concerns about your Marine Warranty, contact marinewarranty@garmin.com.

If the Force Trolling Motor is not powering on at all, visually inspect and or test the following:

• Verify that the 60A breaker is in the on position or not in the off or tripped position

• Inspect the quick disconnect plug and receptacle for corrosion and clean if necessary

• Inspect and verify that the eBox display panel's physical connection is plugged in, and try disconnecting and reconnecting. If it has disconnected or is hanging loose, Contact Garmin Product Support 

• Inspect where the power cable terminals connect to the junction box on the Force Trolling Motor. Connections should not be hand-tight. If you can untighten this connection by hand, contact Garmin Product Support or the installer for guidance

• Test the battery for proper 24V or 36V voltage at the batteries and the terminal connections at the junction box. If there is a voltage drop, contact Garmin Product Support or the installer

Factoring in the distance from the circuit breaker to the battery bank matters in situations where the power cable length needs to be extended. The wire used to extend the power and ground must be appropriately rated. For a table on choosing the appropriate gauge of wire and other considerations, refer to the Power Cable Extension section of the Force Trolling Motor Installation Instructions manual.

The three most commonly used battery types for the Force Trolling Motor and the approximate lifespan are:

• Lead Acid@ 3.5 years

• Lithium Ion @ 2-3 years

• Absorbed Glass Mat @ 6-10 years

The listed battery types above are sorted from lowest to highest life expectancy.

NOTE: Battery Life Expectancy will vary by what type of battery is used in the installation of the Force Trolling Motor, how often and how much the battery is discharged and recharged (usage of a proper charger), the age of the battery, and whether the battery manufacturers instructions for pro-longing the life of the battery are observed and adhered to. In addition, improper use (use that goes beyond or outside of the manufacturer's recommendations) and or use in extreme conditions can result in the early or immediate failure of new or old batteries.