Handi Cap Modification on trolling motor

[wildmaninal]

Re: Handi Cap Modification on trolling motor

Here is a picture of the foot control with the pedal off of it and cables exposed.
http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc244/wildmaninal/?action=view&current=Carpet019.jpg

Here is a picture of the suggested servo that our local hobby shop mentioned, it is the highest torque yet that I have found, turning radius is 60 degrees clock wise or counter clock wise and it cost approximately $85 shipping and all. The worst thing is the ware house is out of stock and the website I looked into ordering it from said they will not receive them until late November. I could go to Ebay and get it but the price will go up on the shipping. Still trying to find the servo I had around.

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc244/wildmaninal/?action=view&current=futm0051.jpg

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Handi Cap Modification on trolling motor

i have little knowledge of the strength of the servos, but if strong enough looks like it could be rigged. just push - pull

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Handi Cap Modification on trolling motor

When I got the foot control apart, I was able to pull the cable gripping it with index finger and my thumb, it wasn't hard to pull at all. I don't know how much difference it will make while it's in the water and the prop is in motion it might even help the servo turn I don't know. But believe it or not the man at the Hobby shop didn't even know how to explain the torque of the servo. Maybe it will come to me were I seen this other servo at, I might be able to use it and keep from ordering one. The cross bar shouldn't be hard to make at all.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Handi Cap Modification on trolling motor

i think the hardest part is getting the cross bar, the right length, so you get full swing of the troller.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Handi Cap Modification on trolling motor

You are right about the cross bar. In my observation, when I was looking at the inside of the foot pedal, I think the height of witch the servo motor will sit will be the key on how much the trolling motor will turn also. Both the length of the cross bar and the height of witch the servo is going to be mounted will half to be taken into consideration. The higher the mount of the servo off of the foot pedal the longer the crossbar.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Handi Cap Modification on trolling motor

TD I found this and wanted to run it past ya to see what you think.
http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc244/wildmaninal/?action=view&current=Electricwindow.jpg
It's an electric window motor out of one of the 1987 Honda Civics we junked, I found it while looking for the servo. It's already gear driven and setup for cables working in a push/pull manner and it's spring loaded. The holes are just right for the cables off of the trolling motor I will half to find the right tap and tap it out to screw the cables in because the others for the window unit just slip in the hole. I would probably half to build a box and do away with the foot control. I wouldn't half to worry about dropping the voltage on it like I would for a servo, just get the right size fuse and hook it up with possibly 16 awg wire. The speed of it would be the only other concern, I know that the windows were heavier and didn't lift all that fast. I could do away with the pulleys and it might slow it down. The picture makes the motor look bigger than what it really is but it's sitting between 2 2x6s so you can do the math on how big it is.
I'm already working with it, got to find a battery to see how it turns the trolling motor.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Handi Cap Modification on trolling motor

Holes tapped, cables in place.
http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc244/wildmaninal/?action=view&current=Electricwindow002.jpg

I tested it just by jumping it to a battery and so far so good. I screwed up and left slack in the cable on the electric window motor on the first run, hence the cable got all screwed up on the trolling motor end . Live and learn the hard way. I got everything back in place and it does seem to work for what little bit I tested it. I will probably half to use a DPDT switch on it instead of a push button, that is the type of switch I am assuming that it had on the electric window on the car. If I modify it with this motor, and the DPDT switch or similar and get it all put together I will try and make a video of it to show how it works and upload it to photobucket, the wrest of the modification process will go on my website.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Handi Cap Modification on trolling motor

that should really do the trick. can you use 2 momentary switches, or even a joy stick type switch, that you could just bump, to correct the direction. the motor will definately be strong enough. congrats on the progress.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Handi Cap Modification on trolling motor

Hay it might be possible that I could use any of those type of switches. I appreciate it, and all your help. It only has two wires coming from the motor, I was thinking it's similar to my 2 wire power trim I used a DPDT switch on it. Even if I half to use relays to reverse it, I'll figure something out maybe lol. I guess I really could hide that motor anywhere in the bow instead of building a control box big enough to accommodate the electric window motor that is. I'll half to get an idea of what size fuse it will need for the motor, I'll look it up in the owner's manual of my dad's honda civic lol. If I do build a control box for it, I have a fuse link that might be perfect to mount on the side for the motor. We could go into mass production with this idea . No for real though I have noticed I had a lot of hits on this thread nobody wanted anything to do with it lol, but you are the only one who stuck with me TD, Drewpster and Wire2 I appreciate your ideas also. I have had allot of creative ideas in the past, some that I have followed through with and some that I haven't, some mechanical and some not. Like I use to draw pretty good back in my late teens early twenties. I still want to build a gas powered RC car out of a leaf blower motor, had started drawing up plans on a 3D cad in the past never finished them, then I lost them. Thanks again

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Handi Cap Modification on trolling motor

progress?

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Handi Cap Modification on trolling motor

Been researching the switch possibilities, I found a DPDT Joystick switch similar to this,
http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc244/wildmaninal/?action=view&current=Joystick.jpg
thought I had it saved to my favorites but can't find it, the one pictured isn't DPDT or at least it doesn't say it is.

Then I found this push button DPDT switch like this, http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc244/wildmaninal/?action=view&current=dpdt2.jpg
but I don't think it is a momentary switch, I would like to find a 12 volt momentary style. The switch pictured is a stomp switch, I could use my foot to push it, if I could use 2 of these switches put one for the left and one for the right turn. Awaiting seller's reply to see if he has the type of switch I need.

I had an old computer joystick, I put a bigger gage wires on it and actually had it powering up the feed wires off of the potentiometers but it didn't activate the motor, I may not of had something grounded right and wasn't considering the voltage may of had something to do with it. I should of hooked the meter to it, but I only used a test light. I thought I had something going with this joystick but it fell through, I threw it out lol. I thought of the possibility of an automobile electric mirror joystick to operate it, been looking at those also. I also looked into TrimTab joysticks, don't know how much those would cost or what type of wiring that would consist of. So far the easiest solution would be a momentary on off momentary on DPDT rocker switch or toggle switch. I haven't looked at the original switch out of the Honda to see how it was wired, but it is also berried among other junk. Also so far Radio shack doesn't have a blessed thing compared to some of these other sites I have been visiting, back in the day radio shack used to stock allot of switches. Tested it again yesterday (between storms) for a moment and it does work well still with that motor, and it is quiet also. Not much physical progress do to the rain other wise, boat has been covered. Also taken the time to apply for jobs of the internet, oh what fun. Do I have ya wanting to break your old foot controlled out yet to try a mod? lol

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Handi Cap Modification on trolling motor

no, i have the motor guide wp45 wireless and my foot control is in the storage locker, i use the key fob.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Handi Cap Modification on trolling motor

If I could find that thread dealing with wiring a 2 wire power trim with relays instead of a DPDT switch that might be helpful.

Found it
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=218459&highlight=wiring+power+trim
This might help me figure out how to use other type of switches besides the DPDT style. I should be able to use this method with a regular push button (like a horn/starter button). I could hook 2 of these buttons up using the motor reversing solenoid.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Handi Cap Modification on trolling motor

the switch could be a simple on off on monentary toggle, that's all a trim switch is.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Handi Cap Modification on trolling motor

I am planning on putting the plastic padded seats on the pedestals, both bow and stern casting deck. I liked the idea that wire2 had of mounting the switch on the seat but not in the fashion that he described. If I went with a toggle switch and mounted it on the side of the seat where I just had to reach down to operate the switch, would be pretty neat. But state law says that the casting deck seat must be removed when the boat is underway, were nothing can obstruct the driver's view. So this shoots the seat mounted switch idea down. Unless I added a plug to unplug the wires when taking the seat off, but most likely I'll have the wires fed through the pedestal, witch I believe it's supposed to be removed also. I don't like having the the casting deck seat in place while I'm driving anyway. No rain today, so I plan on taking and trying a couple of solenoids I already have to see if I can't keep from buying the motor reversing style. If I can't get this to work with my 2 solenoids I'll order the other.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Handi Cap Modification on trolling motor

2 wire you could actually set up 2 controls, one forward and one in the stern, just like the trim & tilt are on some boats. then you could sit in either place.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Handi Cap Modification on trolling motor

I like that Idea, I might just set it up like that, I would half to replicate the prop button and mount a switch at the stern along with the left turn and right turn switch. I ordered one of those motor reversing solenoids from
"http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2007090116175192&item=11-3169-12&catname=electric"

I tried to find one local, everybody I talked to acted like I was nuts when I told them what I was looking for. The solenoids I had available didn't have a common ground lug, they only had a three wire hookup.
I found a wire Gage table that can be a handy thing to have around.
"http://www.submarineboat.com/sub/wiring.html"

I drew this diagram up for the bow/stern idea.
http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc244/wildmaninal/?action=view&current=Trollingmotor.jpg

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Handi Cap Modification on trolling motor

looks right on.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Handi Cap Modification on trolling motor

Good Deal, I'll half to look my "green" situation over, maybe I can go ahead and purchase the wires and switches needed then have it all wired and ready for when the motor reversing solenoid gets here just plug it right up. By the chart I'll need 12 awg wire for 25 amp going 20' in length.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Handi Cap Modification on trolling motor

sounds right.