Wireless Remote Controlled Trolling Motor Assembly DIY

In this video I show you how make your old trolling motor remote controlled, using 1/5 scale RC car components. This wireless system keeps you from adding cables, peddles, levers and holes in your Kayak.

[@bitschubser5369]

Nice build, can't wait the parts for steering to arrive. As i want to add an brushed ESC as well for the motor itself i'll use on RC receiver for speed and steering. I planned to use a BEC to provide power to the servo. This way i can put it all together in on box with one power input/output and a single 3 pin cable for the servo.

[@waitingonparts]

A lot of guys run the ESC with good results. Just make sure it can handle the load

[@edgarvilmanyi3948]

Thanks for this video, im in the same project you save me time on ideas on this... excellent... i just need steering.

[@waitingonparts]

I’m putting out a new video in the next day or two. I accidentally sank my old motor but retrieved it. I’m reusing that same steering setup on my new motor and it’s still going strong despite sinking and being a year and a half old. Good luck with your project.

[@ronaldkondler5792]

Waiting on parts: I love your idea of using an RC servo escapement to provide remote steering! However, I am NOT going to make a mod to provide remote control of the motor SPEED, but am ONLY INTERESTED in the borrowing your idea as it relates to the STEERING ASPECT designed in your neat creation. Question: I am perplexed by one thing; You mention that your motor came with a "BRAKE", and that "brake" then provides a static place to "push against" (the other end of the linear actuator then, of course, couples to the short steering arm of the trolling motor). I do NOT SEE what, or where, that so-called "Brake" is, on the trolling motor shaft from the information that you have graciously already provided. Did you find an EASY static point to push against,... ONLY because that your particular trolling motor model has some unique feature that all other motors do NOT have,..to use as YOUR static point? (for that matter what-in-the-world is a "Brake" doing on a trolling motor in the first place??) ....Even more to the point,..What the devil is a "brake" doing on a trolling motor in the first place??
Thanks to the rest of your documentation, everything else seems somewhat easy for me to try and duplicate, in adapting your servo idea,...?
I would appreciate any additional pictures or explanations that you might be able to provide as an answer to my question. Thank You so VERY MUCH!

[@waitingonparts]

Most trolling motors have a little wing nut bolt on the trolling motor shaft that locks the motor in one position. This is for boats that already have a rudder system to steer the boat. The brake on your trolling motor locks motor steering angle in one position and steering is accomplished by alternate methods, either rudder or paddle….I took the wing nut out and mounted the servo to the threaded hole where the brake used to be. You can see the threaded hole and the brake in my video right when the music starts at the beginning of my build montage

[@waitingonparts]

I tried to post a photo of it but UA-cam won’t let me. Here’s the original Amazon advertisement for the motor. You can see the little black wing nut just above the tilting transom mount.
INTBUYING Electric Trolling Motor Brushless Marine Motor Propeller Thrust Saltwater Transom Mounted 1.5T Load 165 LBS 24V www.amazon.com/dp/B08FQMQ6B5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_PRH95GB5Q3EJ8B8AE946?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[@jordanallen8910]

Nice video. I was looking for a way to accomplish the same thing and yours wins. The only difference I will be doing is an epoxy casting instead of layering, screwing, and gluing. I’m probably wasting my time but going to give it a shot. Ha… do you think a smaller servo would get the job done but a little less jerky? Maybe this also isn’t so much jerk in the water? Assume you’ve used it quite a bit by now curious if u suggest any alterations from your video. Thanks for the time.

[@waitingonparts]

I’m sure you can find a smaller servo that can do the same job. Make sure the voltage of the smaller servo is correct for your project. I remember seeing a few volt options….The servo I’m running now is 65 or 75 kg of torque. I’m pretty sure you will be to find a smaller servo with similar power output but it will more than likely cost more. Good luck. Post a video when your done. I would like to check it out!

[@RiseInThought]

How long will that battery working your servos last. Will it last 8 hrs if you steer a lot on a river?

[@waitingonparts]

The radio and servos are efficient. I think that size battery should be more than enough for a whole day out.

[@stephenbusey1295]

Thanks for sharing the build. I'm definitely leaning towards the servo steering build. I like how it gives you full tilt capabilities. Do you think a smaller servo would work? Also curious if I could run a voltage regulator and run the servo/receiver off my main battery. I think I will be going the PWM route for throttle control.

[@waitingonparts]

I chose the biggest servos I could find because of my large 1500 watt trolling motor, and I wasn’t sure how much effort it was going to take in the water. You can definitely get away with a powerful small servo, however they are three times the cost. If you search they make servos that run off of 12 volts also…. There is a device that steps down voltage, I’m considering doing the same and running my radio off of my backup lightweight lithium ion battery’s that I keep on board in case the large Lipo4 battery dies. Good luck with the build. I’m curious to see how yours turns out.

[@waitingonparts]

Direct Current Converter 12V to 5V 3A 15W Buck Converter Module, Reduced Voltage Regulator Car Power Converter Output Power Adapter, Wire Interface (1 Piece) a.co/d/9JRJfB2
I ended up using a similar buck converter to drop the volts from 48 volts to about 8 volts. I chose 8 volts because I can run the radio receiver and the high torque servos with that voltage

[@angelpalomo1789]

Can you put links to the parts

[@waitingonparts]

8pcs Upper & Lower Linkage Pull... www.amazon.com/dp/B07WQWR66N?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[@waitingonparts]

Power HD 1/5 Scale Waterproof... www.amazon.com/dp/B085W7Z8HB?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[@waitingonparts]

WPHMOTO 28mm 1 1/8 inch Brush... www.amazon.com/dp/B078FGYK4W?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[@waitingonparts]

DUMBORC X4 4CH RC Radio System... www.amazon.com/dp/B07RR81GSB?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[@waitingonparts]

Marine Board HDPE (High Density... www.amazon.com/dp/B073BV5LN9?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share