Patent ID: 7306496

Claim:
In an apparatus including an electric trolling motor having at least one operational subsystem and said trolling motor having an integral electronic controller for controlling said operational subsystem, the improvement comprising: said trolling motor also having an integral electronic diagnostic system which will receive diagnostic information pertaining to said operational subsystem; said integral electronic diagnostic system including a wireless infrared transmitter comprising an infrared light-emitting diode which, when said trolling motor is activated, will continuously and automatically transmit, in real time, said diagnostic information pertaining to said operational subsystem for wireless reception externally of said trolling motor; said integral electronic diagnostic system being potted by encapsulation in a covering material such that said infrared light-emitting diode projects from said covering material and said integral electronic diagnostic system has no connection ports exposed to external environmental conditions; a diagnostic data processing system located externally of said trolling motor; and said diagnostic data processing system including a wireless receiver comprising an infrared phototransistor which, when placed in receiving proximity to said infrared light-emitting diode, will receive said diagnostic information being continuously and automatically transmitted from said infrared light-emitting diode.