DIY electric downrigger

[Drago]

I wanted two downriggers to fit on Seacat 565 but no really space where to mount them .
One that I like from Cisco - USA will end costing me easy R 28K.
So ... got to drawing board , then laser cut , now still lot of work . Machining spools,  sanding, drilling , tapping treads , electronic circuitry and anodizing .
Design is to mount it on vertical part of stainless frames where scotties are .

[Drago]

Other photo

[Drago]

Box where electronics will be

[Drago]

Last still not resolved is a pulley at the end of a stick and how long stick should be . Stick is 20mm thick solid Aluminium .

[Drago]

It will be semi automatic . To lower down you will have to keep (momentary) switch pressed till the desired depth is reached and then release it to stop. To retrieve all the way up will be automatic - just rock switch into another position ( latching ) . Motor will wind up till small rubber ball stopper hits the top pulley and cause current to rise up and circuit will disingage relay that supplies motor. There will be a potentiometer for current limit adjustment. 
Wiper motor is Nissan R 400 from Midas . Motor will be sealed with rubberizing compound ( durabak spray) .
Laser (SS316L parts) & waterjet cutting ( 16mm Aluminium) with material came to R 3800 for two .
I will post further as I progress with it .

[Drago]

Where will be clamped

[colin]

very neat workmanship . well done .

[maganything]

Very impressive! Looking forward to seeing how this turns out.

[tkei]

Very nice. What is tour over ride system incase motor stops with rhe line out.

[FishStyx]

Excellent bit of fabrication... Well done 

[travelmember]

Looking good. I assume this is just for a normal 8lb ball and not for any heavy duty work (dredges / deep dropping).
How are you wiring it to the boat - permanent or quick connect? I can recommend Hubbell connectors if you are going that route.

[Drago]

Tkei , to answer you . There is no mechanical override . I don’t think wiper motor will fail. Electronics once all properly put together and tested will be sealed. But if happens - all can be done is to remove spool ( one nut only) and wind by hand while friend pulls line by hand . Planing to use 150-200LB braid - not wire .


Travelmember , plan it to have 3 sizes of streamline downrigger sinkers . 2.5, 4 and 6 kg depending to depth we want to target .
I already installed two power ports that was made for electric reel and now will be used also for downriggers. Both are mounted on small sealed IP 67 enclosure boxes and mounted inside gunnels on the edge ( connector facing down ) so it can be easy reached . Inside is a car fuse holder with 15A fuse and 1000uF cap for noise reduction ( because of electric reel ) and on each side of boat. I standardized on large Weipu water proof connectors that are available from Communica.

[Drago]

How spool ingages to shaft . Stainless steel insert .

[Drago]

Connectors used

[travelmember]

Thanks for the reply and looking forward to seeing it finished.