Minn Kota Steering by Theo_Frieling

Last crawled date: 3 years, 4 months ago

A new design of the Minn Kota Steering Controller.
I'm a Belly Boat angler ...
... so my Minn Kota is positioned behind my back. Not very handy to reach backwards to control the motor. So some kind of automation was needed so I started up Fusion 360 and gave it a go.
My first trials where based on an 18KG servo (TD8120MG). I needed more power and went for a 60KG version. That was more like it.
The result was a cheap solution for steering a Minn Kota trolling motor with an AliExpress 60KG Servo
For some videos see this YT playlist.
You do not need to remove the Minn Kota head to attach this thing (see the videos).
I'm using it for my Minn Kota Endura MAX 40LBS which has a shaft diameter of 29mm.
I'm still experimenting with the right filament to use. PolyLite ASA was not a good choice (the black gears in the videos), ABS was better and now I'm experimenting with PET-G.
This is a Work in Progress thing! It is working as is, but there is some friction here and there so some lubrication is advised.
To control the Servo wireless I use a Wemos & LM2596. I guess a Servo tester instead of the Wemos would also work.
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Added a new Shaft gear.
A firmer design of the shaft gear with a roof to protect the gears and a tread for less friction.
The V markings must face each other and is the top (only for the 92cm version)
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For a ~92cm shaft, use holder_for_92_cm_shaft and closecap_for_92cm_shaft
The servo holder has room for a servo which should be mounted using 4 M3x20mm screws and M3 nuts. Put the nuts in first, fix with some tape so they won't fall out during servo insertion.
The servo gear was designed for the metal round part which comes with the servo. I used a vise to insert the metal round part. Make shore the small holes are aligned so you can insert the 8 small screws which comes with the servo.
The gear is mounted on the servo with a M3x12mm
The 'half' gear is mounted on the shaft with M3x20mm & 3mm nut as the closecap to mount the servo housing on the shaft do.
The servo holder has in the bottom room for the components needed to control the servo which are:
5A step down module (servo power): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32674720245.html
Trim the step down module down to 7V! Default they are at 12V. I'm not sure if the servo can handle 12V so be careful!
On/Off Switch: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000340830341.html
Fuse holder (5x20mm): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32987605353.html
Wemos D1 Mini: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32651747570.html
Power shield for Wemos Power: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000970382990.html
Remove the black jack connector on the power shield.
You have to develop the software to control the servo yourself, so don't ask.