Re: [Electric Boats] Re: Minnkotas - resister vs pulse width modulation

The 28 lb. thrust Minn Kota I modified for remote control had lots of
wires running down the tube. I'll bet the newer resistor controlled ones
do too:

http://www.boat-links.com/images/TrollingRemote/TrollingRemote-1.jpg

http://www.boat-links.com/images/TrollingRemote/TrollingRemote-2.jpg

http://www.boat-links.com/images/TrollingRemote/TrollingRemote-3.jpg

I did some tests years ago running a Minn Kota Endura 30 on my 15' sailing
skiff and discovered that the current draw of that resistor controlled
motor was MUCH lower at reduced power settings. Alas, I lost the figures
and don't remember the amps and speeds, but I found that the most
economical compromise between battery life and growing old before getting
there was at setting 4. 3 was fine if you weren't really going anywhere,
which describes much of what I do on the water, and was easier on the
battery.

Of course the electronically controlled Minn Kotas do even better at lower
settings, but you can still save a lot of battery by "throttling" down a
resistor controlled motor. I think the Endura 30 is a great bargain for
small boats. If you don't like the shorter range of the resistor
controlled motor you can buy an extra battery and still be a lot cheaper
than least expensive electronic Minn Kota. <g>

On Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:09:51 -0700, oak wrote:

> You're right that it would be nice to put the resistors in the pod where
> they are cooled by the water. The problem is that you would THEN have
> to add relays to switch the leads, or at least run extra wires down the
> tube. ...

--
John (jkohnen@boat-links.com)
Sailing intensifies life. (Sir Francis Chichester)


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