PWM Controller for Trolling Motor

I have a MK C2-30lb motor for pulling cranks, I was tired of having set speeds, and wasting power on slower speeds.

I bought one of these and tried it out on two trips so far. It works quite well, infinite speed adjustment, and it seems to sap less power, since 2mph on my boat only requires about 70% power.

I simply placed the controller inline between the battery and motor. If you want the TM to work as it did from the factory, run the controller wide open and use the handle speed controls, when you want to start pulling, place the handle control on the fastest speed (straight through on that setting, voltage does not go through the speed resistor), and use the PWM controller to set your speed.

There is a little but more "hum" to the motor with PWM control, but the fish don't seem to mind.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-24V-48V...4AAOSw0O5aHjCs

Minn Kota used to make a Maximizer digital control unit, but even used ones are quite expensive. This is a much cheaper alternative, although a little more unrefined.

There are also 100a units available for larger motors.

Pretty cool set up. And price is sure right.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Atimm693

I have a MK C2-30lb motor for pulling cranks, I was tired of having set speeds, and wasting power on slower speeds.

I bought one of these and tried it out on two trips so far. It works quite well, infinite speed adjustment, and it seems to sap less power, since 2mph on my boat only requires about 70% power.

I simply placed the controller inline between the battery and motor. If you want the TM to work as it did from the factory, run the controller wide open and use the handle speed controls, when you want to start pulling, place the handle control on the fastest speed (straight through on that setting, voltage does not go through the speed resistor), and use the PWM controller to set your speed.

There is a little but more "hum" to the motor with PWM control, but the fish don't seem to mind.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-24V-48V...4AAOSw0O5aHjCs

Minn Kota used to make a Maximizer digital control unit, but even used ones are quite expensive. This is a much cheaper alternative, although a little more unrefined.

There are also 100a units available for larger motors.

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I use this same supply for my swamp cooler. Works fine, but my current requirements are less than 10A.

Great find, thanks.

Is it waterproof? Are you mounting it in a box? Could you post a pic of your set up?
Might have to give something like this a try. Have a 75# 5 speed on a 17' tin, even on "1", it's still too much.

That's pretty neat! I could have used one on Sunday while pulling cranks. Heading into the wind 4 wasn't fast enough and 5 was too much.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by skunked again

Is it waterproof? Are you mounting it in a box? Could you post a pic of your set up?
Might have to give something like this a try. Have a 75# 5 speed on a 17' tin, even on "1", it's still too much.

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It is not waterproof.

Hey Atimm693,
I have 2 boats...The jon boat's trolling motor does not have PWM but now will have Thanks to you.I appreciate the information.
Mounting it in a waterproof enclosure will be a piece of cake...

No, the factory casing is not waterproof.

However, the thing got soaked in a rain storm last night, it was acting a little funny, but I shook the water out and it seems to be working normally.

I just have it laying on the back deck right now in the factory casing. I'm hoping to engineer some sort of electric steering to my bow mount TM and get rid of the transom TM altogether.

I think canepole did something like that. With servo's and such.

These circuits get HOT. If you gonna waterproof it, I suggest a metal case. MK uses the metal frame of the trolling motor for a heat sink. The metal of the MK is isolated from chassis ground. Caution is worth noting.

Another thing toc consider is that using the first mentioned power supply (which I have) is not a reversing type. You could add 2 relays and make it reversing or you could find a poer supply capable of reversing the motor direction. Of course, you don't need reverse, but it is handy.

Here is a reversing power supply on ebay. The 2 black cubes on the unit are the reversing relays.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/371749056306

You could always spend more money and get a Hbridge unit that reverses without relays.

I don't see how they build this stuff so cheap.