Garmin Force deploy pull cable breaks

[bobby b.]

The cable broke unexpectedly at the handle but from the pic you can see it was frayed at the point where it comes out of the motor.  I'm sure that this is due to the way I use the cable to lift the motor from the stowed position.  A new cable was provided free of charge by Garmin.  I looked around to see if there was an after-market part that may be better but none found.  The replacement process was easy.  What will not be easy is getting the motor stowed if the cable broke while deployed.  Garmin tells me that one can use a flat bladed screwdriver to release the "keepers" on the slides but I could not do it maybe in part as I had installed the upgraded heavy duty spring.  I plan on replacing this about every year.  My unit is about 18 months old.

Bobby
 

 

[cheesemaster]

What a bummer. Sorry to hear that.

[SplitG2]

Good to know.  Thanks for sharing.  

[Quillback]

Is that a wire cable?  

[bobby b.]

Coated stainless steel aircraft cable.

[Quillback]

TH makes a trolling motor handle that you could fit on the end of that cable if the original breaks off.  I realize your cable is frayed so it makes sense to replace the entire thing, but if they send you a duplicate replacement it seems that you might have the handle break off again in the future.  You could keep the TH Marine as a spare handle, so if it fails again, you can get fishing again without having to wait for them to ship you a new one.  I don't know however if you can buy just a handle from them, all I have seen is a complete replacement kit and it runs about $50.  

 

[snagged in outlet 3]

1 hour ago, Quillback said:

TH makes a trolling motor handle that you could fit on the end of that cable if the original breaks off.  I realize your cable is frayed so it makes sense to replace the entire thing, but if they send you a duplicate replacement it seems that you might have the handle break off again in the future.  You could keep the TH Marine as a spare handle, so if it fails again, you can get fishing again without having to wait for them to ship you a new one.  I don't know however if you can buy just a handle from them, all I have seen is a complete replacement kit and it runs about $50.  

 

I bought the TH Marine for my Ultrex. 

[Quillback]

1 minute ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

I bought the TH Marine for my Ultrex. 

When the lousy one that comes standard with the Fortrexx broke on me I replaced with the TH Marine cable.  The handle pulled off on me once, the little Allen head screws that hold that clamp deal onto the cable loosened up.  Put it back on and good to go.   Which reminds me, I need to do an inspection on it and make sure those screws are tightened down.  

[snagged in outlet 3]

I'm gonna check mine too.  

[bobby b.]

I think this failed prematurely for me for several reasons but I posted this because if this fails while the motor is deployed it would take 2 men and a boy standing in the water to get it stowed. 

The reasons I think it failed maturely is because I use a TH marine troll-tamer so I don't have to use that velcro hold down.  This requires me to kick the troll tamer release with my foot as I pull the cable and if I don't connect with the troll tamer release correctly, I am pulling on the cable release while pulling up on the motor to deploy and of course nothing is happening other than me pulling harder, putting undo stress on the cable connections and well as where the cable comes out of the motor hole.  Also I have a live scope transducer turret on top of the troller adding some more weight.  

I do think I could retro fit with another handle but the other weak point is at the other end connection.

In summary the Force guys might want to inspect the cable periodically.  For me I have changed my method of deployment by being more aware of the troll tamer release and use the cable to just release the motor latch and then deploy the motor by lifting the head.