Hand control for Minnkota - electric steered motor.

[REW]

I have a friend that really dislikes the foot pedal on his minnkota electric steered motor.
I was at Fish Electronics this evening and asked Doug if he had ever seen a hand control for this motor. He said that he had seen a few made by customers, but knew that Minnkota had never made one. He did say, however, that Minnkota is releasing a new one for their motors this winter or spring that will be about the sice of a small cell phone. It will be cordless - and hopefully will not have the battery problems of some other cordless units.

At any rate - if anyone has plans or schematics for a hand held controller for an electric steered motor; I would appreciate viewing it. Otherwise, I will reverse engineer the existing pedal, and duplicate it in a hand held version, that will fit in your shirt pocket.

Thanks for any updates.
REW

[Cordless]

http://www.great-lakes.org/review-08-26-02+more.html#rev1

[Koldfront Kraig]

Where did Fish Electronics move to? They used to be on Central, right?

[REW]

They moved west - to University - at about the same north south location.
They are on the frontage road - on the east side of University, about 5 blocks south of 694.

Take care
REW

[Stacker]

REW I had a guy send me a flyer, at our marina, about a hand control for MK. it looks ok but have not tried one yet. When i get to work on thursday i will try to find the flyer and give u his #.

[REW]

Stacker,
Thanks much.
send me an e-mail
hflier @ aol.com

I just finished checking out the original foot pedal and I believe that I have the complete circuit figured out. I am guessing that I can make a hand held control - for about $10 - if I use the current cable. I will just clip off the current foot pedal.

Thanks again.
REW

[J.P.]

Ed Schilling in Milwaukee sells them for $89.95. It consists of a small waterproof box just big enough to put 2 switches, one for turning and the other for continuous or momentary, and a dial for the speed control. Nice and compact and the switches have the protective boot on them to keep the water out. I'm not sure if he makes them himself. Ed repairs Minnkota trolling motors also.

[Toolman]

REW,
Make it cordless and you will have buyers lining up!
Tim

[firecop]

REW-

Would love to see what you cobble together, but sounds like it has already been done. Don't waste your time.
firecop

[Skeeter]

Didn't Rangerpat (Pat Cavins) have them for sale a while back? If I remember right he was taking orders for them. YOU OUT THERE PAT??

[Paul H]

Seems like I saw a web page where someone already made a cordless one. Since MK already has a corless foot pedal it wouldn't be too hard to do.

[BRS1]

You are all on the right track.

Rangerpat sold the bus to his buddy and he is making them now.

I have been following the Co-Pilot closely, back of the new FLW mag.

MK says not until Jan 03, but I have my dealer trying to pressure them into one sooner to test, probably won't work since my last name isn't Roach, Gray, or any of the other greats (can't spell Keith's last name).

http://www.great-lakes.org/review-08-26-02+more.html#rev1

Let me know what you do REW, I am desperate to get somehting to travel the boat with that is cordless. I sold my Maxxum to get an AP back on board becase of this product (and the fact that I couldn't use a cable drive well lol:( ).

Regards,

Brian

[Cangl]

I could Kick my own ars for not trying Ranger Pats a the Wyandotte ramp last spring. He offered it as a loaner, and seeimg how the transom Kota was somehow at home.... The flat pedal lends its self easily to hand operation especially in auto, but his setup does fit in a pocket.
Afraid to try something new? Beg no mercy of the bulldozer there may be little to be had. ;(

[REW]

It works!!
It took an hour to figure out the schematic, an hour to run down the parts, and 2 hours to drill the box, and wire everything together.
Basically the parts list is as follows:
1-box
3-double pole single throw push button switches.
1-single pole single throw toggle switch
1-850 ohm variable resistor (speed pot)
1-150 ohm 1/8th watt resistor
1-350 ohm 1/8th watt resistor
1-logic diode.

Drill the box, for the 4-switches, and the one pot.
Drill another hole, to allow entrance for the cord.
Mount the components, and point to point wire every thing together.
You are good to go.
Because I used the existing cord and connector - I saved the cost of the cord. The other parts - after picking up a few spares was about $20.

Because of the time involved in the point to point wiring - I wouldn't make them for sale - but I could be contacted for details if someone wanted to make them themselves. Also, I don't want to get into any kind of a Legal argument with Minnkota about selling accessories for their motors.

The friend that I made the box for, was completely pleased, and it should serve him well down the road.

If you want further details:
e-mail me at
hflier@aol.com

Take care
REW

[REW]

I put a new list of instructions and a schematic together.
If anyone is interested in putting one together - just send me a request via e-mail to

hflier@aol.com

Take care
REW