Thread: Poor mans Ipilot

Once I get the bugs worked out of the "brain" I'll see what I can do about making it actually "talk" to the 'kota, as far as linking to the Lowrance, thats a done deal already. I can link to any GPS with a NEMA out and has the "GO TO" function. It has some potential but there is still ALOT of work to do and time is a precious commodity for me right now. Oddly enough the only free time I have to work on the programming is at work! THANKS BOSS! Today I welded Dub-L-Seats, then while the parts cooled I'd work on the trolling motor, LOL.

Very nice. Keep at it.

Originally Posted by Blacklandlure

Once I get the bugs worked out of the "brain" I'll see what I can do about making it actually "talk" to the 'kota, as far as linking to the Lowrance, thats a done deal already. I can link to any GPS with a NEMA out and has the "GO TO" function. It has some potential but there is still ALOT of work to do and time is a precious commodity for me right now. Oddly enough the only free time I have to work on the programming is at work! THANKS BOSS! Today I welded Dub-L-Seats, then while the parts cooled I'd work on the trolling motor, LOL.

since that control board has 4 optocoupler inputs, you could use a binary switch and get up to 16 speeds. Your rs232 output is not being used, so you could use it to send serial data to a serial to pwm converter, with the pwm output equal to the settings of the binary speed switch. Just a thought since a lot of the hardware is already there on the control board.

OR, you could use the opto inputs for left/right hand overide of gps control and spotlock off/on. Not many options with this board as it stands. BUT!

This is true, there are so many possibilities its mind boggling, but like you said the memory situation is pretty sad on that chip (2k) and the crystal oscillator circuit....20 MHz. I guess right now I'm just going to have to do it as easy and inexpensive as possible. I'm really kind of worried about electromagnetic interference, I just need this thing to run for me so I can fish. I wish I would've known you were so knowledgeable in this stuff, I about pulled all my hair out several times trying to get things right. Jeff told me one of yall liked to build gadgets as much as me, I just didnt know who it was.

Jeff White? Yep. I heard he had motorcycle butt now. He is a fine feller.

You are right, 2k aint much, but we went to the moon on 64k. ha Try writing your code in assembly. Saves some memory. C is confusing to an old assembly man.

Don't worry about rf. That is what BUD boxes are for. Have fun.

I just finished off a "broke wire" brake circuit for a local motor winding company. Piece of cake.

When you get the circuit totally functional (if there is such a thing), I can tell you how to apply the circuit to the minn kota v2. The v2 has everything you need in its conrol circuit to steer and speed control. Cakewalk. You could breathe life into a lot of old electric steer minn kotas. Just takes time and patience.

that is very cool im am impressed thats got to be one of biggest break through s for 2011 you may have minn kota and motor guide beating your door to buy it to keep off the market if i was you i would keep quit about it till i had all the bug worked and patent number for it you may just have had your ship sale in to port congrats $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$

You can opt to use the minn kota control board for speed control. Why reinvent the wheel when you can change a spoke. It is proven and is weatherproof. The board has to be heatsinked when you mount it. MK uses the frame of the TM for a heat sink. You have to modify the control somewhat, but it saves a lot of aggrevation.

I am in awe of the genius of these gentlemen...of course,,flashlights still amaze me...but still, its awesome that we have this kind of talent,,fishing...lol