Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: KP-Skagit on August 13, 2025, 02:27:14 PM

Title: Scotty Pulling Slow
Post by: KP-Skagit on August 13, 2025, 02:27:14 PM: I have an older 1106 that pulls about half as fast as my newer 1106s. I did a bunch of troubleshooting, tried it on multiple mounting locations, tested pull speed, tested voltages and the results are consistent. I concluded it must be that the motor itself was worn out. I keep a spare motor on the shelf so figured I would swap it in.

Interesting, the new motor (and even a motor I pulled from another 1106) did not result in pulling the ball faster.

Curious if anyone has run into this? I am thinking it might be some of the electrical components (circuit breaker, or relay switch)?
Title: Re: Scotty Pulling Slow
Post by: brocka on August 13, 2025, 02:43:10 PM: I cant offer any advice on your problem, however, I did call scotty today while I was tinkering with my new 1106 and we solved the problem on the phone in about 5 minutes. Very helpful customer service, be worth a call to them. I explained the problem and he knew exactly what it was and how to fix it.
Title: Re: Scotty Pulling Slow
Post by: Tinmaniac on August 13, 2025, 03:03:41 PM: I had way to much cable on mine a few years back and it was slow.
Title: Re: Scotty Pulling Slow
Post by: Stein on August 14, 2025, 05:57:32 PM: I was thinking either the circuit supplying the slower motor is undersized or there is an issue with the belt or spool binding. It could also be high impedance connections due to corrosion, salt, grime, pitted contacts, etc. I would also time it, is it really slower or just sounds slower?

If it is slower with the same motor the only two things I could think of is the motor is producing less power or there are losses in the mechanical portion. For the former, it's almost always less voltage.

Sometimes Scotties just get a gremlin and once they get it they are unlikely to ever leave.
Title: Re: Scotty Pulling Slow
Post by: KP-Skagit on August 15, 2025, 08:26:17 AM: Probably need to call scotty at this point. Circuit breakers and relay switches are not expensive, so I picked up a couple replacements and same results. At this point, all that remains is the power cord and the switch. I will try swapping the cord with another unit later.

This downrigger may find itself permanently assigned to kokanee fishing...
Title: Re: Scotty Pulling Slow
Post by: CP on August 15, 2025, 08:44:50 AM: If you suspect the circuit breaker, relay switch, or any other electrical connection, test the voltage on the battery side and then at the motor and compare the two. Be sure to check these voltages while the motor is running. There should be very little voltage drop across the connections.
Title: Re: Scotty Pulling Slow
Post by: hookr88 on August 22, 2025, 07:15:48 PM: Have you checked and cleaned the plug prongs as well as the receptacles? A little corrosion there can cause the wires to overheat and maybe slow the motor.
Title: Re: Scotty Pulling Slow
Post by: KP-Skagit on August 22, 2025, 08:27:29 PM: I've run through everything, tested the voltage across the relay under load at better than 12v. Only thing I haven't tried is replacing the power cord and switch. Starting to sound like a winter project, I have a backup unit.

And haven't found the time to call scotty.
Title: Re: Scotty Pulling Slow
Post by: MADMAX on August 22, 2025, 08:56:43 PM: Have you checked and adjusted the brake ?
Title: Re: Scotty Pulling Slow
Post by: Happy Gilmore on September 01, 2025, 11:29:08 AM: Quote from: MADMAX on August 22, 2025, 08:56:43 PM
Have you checked and adjusted the brake ?

The brake and the plate probably has no grease. Take them to sportco for new wire/braid and a service.
Title: Re: Scotty Pulling Slow
Post by: storyteller on September 01, 2025, 12:07:25 PM: From google, " No, you do not apply grease to the brake pads on a Scotty downrigger
. The braking system relies on friction between the pads and the brake plate, and any grease or oil would prevent it from working properly. Scotty even states that using oils or grease solvents to lubricate the brakes may void the warranty.
Title: Re: Scotty Pulling Slow
Post by: Rick on September 01, 2025, 12:23:32 PM: Quote from: MADMAX on August 22, 2025, 08:56:43 PM
Have you checked and adjusted the brake ?

That’s what I’d check. The nut that tensions the brake can tighten or loosen over time (even though they’re a nylock nut).

Doesn’t take much tightening of the nut to affect how fast the motor can spin the spool.
Title: Re: Scotty Pulling Slow
Post by: MADMAX on September 01, 2025, 04:49:41 PM: Quote from: Rick on September 01, 2025, 12:23:32 PM
Quote from: MADMAX on August 22, 2025, 08:56:43 PM
Have you checked and adjusted the brake ?

That’s what I’d check. The nut that tensions the brake can tighten or loosen over time (even though they’re a nylock nut).

Doesn’t take much tightening of the nut to affect how fast the motor can spin the spool.

Exactly 👍
Title: Re: Scotty Pulling Slow
Post by: KP-Skagit on September 01, 2025, 05:49:46 PM: I've completely disassembled and reassembled the entire unit cleaning everything. I adjusted the brake tension according to the service manual when putting it back together.

Still slow... even tried smaller balls.

I think i give up...
Title: Re: Scotty Pulling Slow
Post by: Stein on September 02, 2025, 10:35:39 AM: Does the motor spin slow when the belt is off? I assume you already replaced or inspected the belt and pathway it rides on. I recently had a problem where the belt was rubbing on the top piece of the drive gear that prevents it from slipping off. The drive gear was too low. I've also seen it too high. The height is set by where the bearings are pressed onto the rotor.
Title: Re: Scotty Pulling Slow
Post by: steeleywhopper on September 02, 2025, 11:13:10 AM: Corrosion on the plug wires could be to blame.
Title: Re: Scotty Pulling Slow
Post by: Happy Gilmore on September 02, 2025, 03:21:36 PM: Quote from: storyteller on September 01, 2025, 12:07:25 PM
From google, " No, you do not apply grease to the brake pads on a Scotty downrigger
. The braking system relies on friction between the pads and the brake plate, and any grease or oil would prevent it from working properly. Scotty even states that using oils or grease solvents to lubricate the brakes may void the warranty.

You dont put grease on the brake. There is a plate inside...nevermind take it to sportco for service.
Title: Re: Scotty Pulling Slow
Post by: Happy Gilmore on September 02, 2025, 03:22:46 PM: Quote from: KP-Skagit on September 01, 2025, 05:49:46 PM
I've completely disassembled and reassembled the entire unit cleaning everything. I adjusted the brake tension according to the service manual when putting it back together.

Still slow... even tried smaller balls.

I think i give up...

The plate everything rotates pressure on needs grease. The brake pads are under the lever.
Title: Re: Scotty Pulling Slow
Post by: KP-Skagit on September 03, 2025, 10:06:37 AM: Quote from: Stein on September 02, 2025, 10:35:39 AM
Does the motor spin slow when the belt is off? I assume you already replaced or inspected the belt and pathway it rides on. I recently had a problem where the belt was rubbing on the top piece of the drive gear that prevents it from slipping off. The drive gear was too low. I've also seen it too high. The height is set by where the bearings are pressed onto the rotor.

This is an interesting comment. I notice the top of the belt is abraded which would suggest some rubbing. Not seeing a super convenient way to adjust the height but can take a better look this evening.
Title: Re: Scotty Pulling Slow
Post by: Stein on September 03, 2025, 03:23:49 PM: There isn't a good way. If it's too high, take the gear off and gently tap it down to seat it deeper in the bearings. Too low is tricky. I don't remember seeing one too far off from the factory, but when I replace the bearings it can happen, especially when I forget to mark where the original one was and have to guess a bit.

If the belt is frayed, it can add friction to the system. Usually it doesn't stay frayed long as it will snag on something, derail or snap.
Title: Re: Scotty Pulling Slow
Post by: Happy Gilmore on September 07, 2025, 08:28:29 AM: Quote from: Stein on September 03, 2025, 03:23:49 PM
There isn't a good way. If it's too high, take the gear off and gently tap it down to seat it deeper in the bearings. Too low is tricky. I don't remember seeing one too far off from the factory, but when I replace the bearings it can happen, especially when I forget to mark where the original one was and have to guess a bit.

If the belt is frayed, it can add friction to the system. Usually it doesn't stay frayed long as it will snag on something, derail or snap.

On my HPs the gear welded to the cap. Pretty crazy. Looked like a perfect hdpe fusion weld. Frozen solid.