Double check on the Minkota co-pilot install

[Wiley Walleye]

Read all the past post. Just got the boat out and now it is my turn to install. Put it on right (starboard) side. Took screws to standing panel out and put the longer screws through the new and old and attached.
Is there any concern for the gap at the top that would allow water and elements to get down by the transmitter?
What is the mouse hole for on the back bottom?
I think I got it but want to check.
Thanks
Joe

[perchjerker]

The reciever is a sealed unit. If you want to worry about moisture, take the cover off the head. There are no gaskets preventing water from entering it. Nor is there anything preventing water from getting to the components in the base. Kind of suprised me at first. I would hope these parts are designed to withstand the moisture.

Dont get me wrong, you bring up a good point.

As far as that "mouse hole" I have no idea what thats for.

The unit itself seems to work very well. I walked across the street and down to the neighbors house and the thing was still in range of the remote.

[Wiley Walleye]

Thanks Brian. It just seemed a little odd and I wanted to be sure. There is only one way to put it on. Maybe the mousehole is to let the water out!
Other than that it looks good. It will be a few weeks before I get it into the water to try it out. I'll program the second transmitter tomorrow. My wife is starting to notice too much new stuff showing up on the boat.
Joe

[Wiley Walleye]

Hey just a thought when I hear how far these will transmit. Could bring a whole new way to launch by yourself. Unload and let the boat float, then remote it back to the dock when you are ready. Or I could let it drive around our small lake like my sons remote boats, go down by the neighbors, have them put some beer in it and bring it back.
I brought to much beer back tonight.
Just a thought
Joe

[perchjerker]

Yea!

I was helping Fatboy with his rig last night and he brought up another use. If you fall overboard, you could steer your boat back to you!

[wiley walleye]

Tell fatboy, that is why I am wearing mine on my wrist. Ive lost a few poles to the deep.
Take care
Joe

[Atomic Eye]

A possible problem with the strategy suggested in post #3 is that the trolling motor has to be down to work and it would get hung up on the trailer while unloading. Other that, it sounds like a fun approach.

I've got a minor problem with my Co-Pilot connectors. They don't make contact with all the pins so I've got to tilt the connector on one side. Anyone else have a similary problem? Thanks.

Atomic Eye (New Mexico) -- "Gone Fission!" ~~~<}}}:>

[wiley walleye]

Atomic Eye
Put it so the blank pin matches the blank hole. LOL

I just put mine together and did not have that problem. Can't quite visualize how tilting it makes the connection, since everything is pretty regid in this set up.
But I did have a slight problem. The footpeddle connector was to big for the new one out of the side panel. I took a utilityknife and was able to make it fit. Still on the trailor, so all I could do was have it run with the remote to see if working. If I turned I hit the trailor. Also able to program the other receiver.

Also, just noticed that I did not get a wrist strap with the extra transmitter. Anyone else? I will call tomorrow.
Joe

[Atomic Eye]

Wylie,

The wrist strap is a pretty basic, i.e., cheap, one. I'd recommend buying a thin velcro strap like one of those used for a sports watch.

Also, you could put one of the transmitter cradles on a favorite rod that you use a lot. You'll end up using your thumb (and liking it a lot) to work the controls with the 2nd transmitter that you will get for free. If you really like this setup, you don't need a lot of tansmitters, just beacoup cradles for your rods.

I find the control I have with the Co-Pilot on my MK 65 AP to be smoother than with the foot controller. And it is ergonomically a lot more comfortable.

I shaved some of the plastic off one of the connectors so it could make a tighter connection when they mate. That might correct the problem. Thanks for the suggestion.

If not, the problem is likely that the pins aren't quite long enough on one side.

Atomic Eye (New Mexico) -- "Gone Fission!" ~~~<}}}:>

[tim]

i am thinking about the co pilot for my 55pd. does anyone know if you can use the foot pedal at the same time, or do you have to have it disconnected:+

[GMC Jon]

You can use the foot pedal or the co-pilot. If you use the foot pedal it disables the co-pilot.

[Netminder]

The "Mouse Hole" is there if you have the minn kota quick release mount. There is a wing bolt that goes into the right side to lock the plate in place. The "Mouse Hole" is for clearance for the wing bolt.

Netminder

"Learn from the mistakes of others, because you won't live long enough to make them all yourself"

[wiley walleye]

Thanks, that answers the mouse hole. Don't have disconnect so couldn't tell.
Atomic eye, I guess I will wait on another strap until I get a chance to work it on the water. With rod mounts, I am just apprehensive about casting with that on there and changing rods. But it may not be any problem so I will wait until I give it a try. Glad your plugs fit.
Joe