Big Jon planer board mast

[Three Bouys]

Two years ago I installed a dual electric planer board mast. Late last year just before pulling the boat the one electric motor was tripping reset on the switch.
Never got around to it during the winter in my heated shop to investigate the issue.
Last week before the tournament I thought I best check the mast. Same thing as last year tripping the reset and now it’s happening to both both motors.
Got my multimeter out checking the connections and everything is fine until I plugged them. Thinking maybe it is seized. Tested the motor leads and not a good sign as it was faulting out.
Pulled the mast today to see what’s happening.
Took the end cap off the motor and water came out. Not a good sign
Called Big Jon and there’s nothing they can do other than sell me another motor at $210 US funds.
That’s not going to happen, being a retired millwright and rebuilt many electric motors, so this isn’t new to me
From what I can figure out, rain water has wicked itself through where the wires go through the housing.
Good thing the boat sat in the heated shop this past winter or I would be buying 2 new motors.

 

[HTHM]

I had the same thing on my Panther kicker lift, but had to pay someone to fix the motor. I was unable to separate the motor body from the gear drive, and having had bad experiences with percussive maintenance in the past, decided to let someone else fix it.

 

[Dmanwithnoname]

Those riveria automatic spring loaded are looking with every post I see like this, how old were the big Jon’s?

 

[stomp]

You would think Big Jon would cover those under warranty - https://www.bigjon.com/service/warranty . Come on Big Jon!

 

[Three Bouys]

You would think Big Jon would cover those under warranty - https://www.bigjon.com/service/warranty . Come on Big Jon!

Talked to them yesterday and there was only 6 month warranty he said

 

[Wave Runner]

That looks bad, do they not have seals to prevent water from entering @Three Bouys? Pretty bad engineering design if it doesn't considering they are out in all kinds of weather.

 

[hvyhaul]

Talked to them yesterday and there was only 6 month warranty he said

That's pretty bad, no, really bad.

If one bought them in the fall for the next year, that equals zero/NO warranty from first use.

For the price of their stuff, they should have the best quality and the best warranty hands down.

 

[Three Bouys]

That looks bad, do they not have seals to prevent water from entering @Three Bouys? Pretty bad engineering design if it doesn't considering they are out in all kinds of weather.

The only seal they use is silicone @Wave Runner around the entry of the wires and end cap and side cap to access the gears. No “O” rings or even gaskets are used. I’ve worked on many electrical motors that at least use one one or the other, but silicone????? If I rebuild these there will be a small weep hole in the end cap for drainage.

 

[Fishfarmer]

I had the same problem, cleaned them with phosphoric acid, fine sandpaper and steel wool. They are still in service after 2 years but not quite as strong.
Drain hole was added and reseald with silicone.

 

[Wave Runner]

The only seal they use is silicone @Wave Runner around the entry of the wires and end cap and side cap to access the gears. No “O” rings or even gaskets are used. I’ve worked on many electrical motors that at least use one one or the other, but silicone????? If I rebuild these there will be a small weep hole in the end cap for drainage.

Silicone ... well that certainly tells us something about Big Jon doesn't it?

 

[Dmanwithnoname]

Those riveria automatic spring lo

Talked to them yesterday and there was only 6 month warranty he said

Horse manure

 

[Dmanwithnoname]

Too bad I’m looking for a boat to have riggers on, but if that’s the case Big Jon is out- I thought they made tournament stuff?

 

[RyTek Marine]

Unfortunately all the planner board motors are basically the same and all have issues...Cisco, TraxTech and they are basically just junk Chinese wiper motors. There are a few motor part #'s flying around online for replacements but in the end there isn't much better out there and the reason for the 6months warranty is due to well...their motor source only warranting them for that time or none at all!

 

[Three Bouys]

Unfortunately all the planner board motors are basically the same and all have issues...Cisco, TraxTech and they are basically just junk Chinese wiper motors. There are a few motor part #'s flying around online for replacements but in the end there isn't much better out there and the reason for the 6months warranty is due to well...their motor source only warranting them for that time or none at all!

Thanks Ryan for that info, but it’s still a shame for not quite 2 years use and not used all the time. It’s diffently rain water seeping in through the wire connection. I’ve disassemble the other motor as well and it’s the same if not worse.

 

[jammer]

Double boat house?? lol... I'd be pissed... Did you go any higher then just the contact #?

 

[Wave Runner]

Thanks Ryan for that info, but it’s still a shame for not quite 2 years use and not used all the time. It’s diffently rain water seeping in through the wire connection. I’ve disassemble the other motor as well and it’s the same if not worse.

Well I guess the good old manual cranks are the way to go.

 

[hvyhaul]

Well I guess the good old manual cranks are the way to go.

Yupper, one of the few tasks assigned to guests. LOL

 

[stomp]

Double boat house?? lol... I'd be pissed... Did you go any higher then just the contact #?

Tweet it, Facebook it, Instagram it...
@bigjonsports #bigjon #bigjonsports

 

[Wave Runner]

Yupper, one of the few tasks assigned to guests. LOL

I did the same thing with quests when I used to have manual downriggers or if I had 10 colour lead out. Crank, crank, crank guys!

 

[RyTek Marine]

Well I guess the good old manual cranks are the way to go.

The boards I make pull so hard I have destroyed two pairs of Big Jon manual's now...the plastic of the spool just won't take the stress! In the process now of making aluminum spools/handles for them!