Reply To: Budget thrusters

Installation & photos
1. Pontoon mounts, Cut some starboard ½” and ¼” strips. One ¼” overlapping the gunwale. Longer bolts where needed. Still need to drill out and epoxy the cored deck.
[img]http://lh3.ggpht.com/ryanonthebeach/SKVCChUvupI/AAAAAAAAA0s/yOvKHopJcaA/pontoon%20bracket%20and%20plug.jpg?imgmax=640[/img]
2. Dismantle the head and cut the pot (speed control) wires. Unplug the motor wires.
[img]http://lh6.ggpht.com/ryanonthebeach/SKVCBo-O7QI/AAAAAAAAA0k/vSgjIdx2wQo/pot%20cut.jpg?imgmax=720[/img]
3. Cut the original shafts off and chiseled out the remaining carbon fiber shaft. Painstaking work because you need to take care not to damage the threads or wires. Was advised by the manufacturer to heat up the casing to loosen the locktight and they would screw out but the carbon shaft simply caught alight.
[img]http://lh6.ggpht.com/ryanonthebeach/SKVCMtJea5I/AAAAAAAAA1E/XbgZQRL4B_E/IMG00026.jpg?imgmax=512[/img]
4. Extend the wire using 8AWG wire cause you have a longer shaft and need to reach the plug socket. Drilled two 1 1/8” holes to install the plugs.
5. Mount each controller in line with the batteries and where the motor plug is to be placed. This is to keep the wire run as short as possible and consequently lessen the voltage drop or size of wire needed.
6. Install big 150A main fuse and two 60A fuses next to each controller.
[img]http://lh4.ggpht.com/ryanonthebeach/SKVCEitYGhI/AAAAAAAAA00/G8XCYkMdEh4/Controller%20and%20fuse.jpg?imgmax=400[/img]
7. Controller wires per controller run to helm soldered where the pot wires where cut on both the controller and pot.
8. Mount the speed controls in original casings and use old shafts as mounting poles.
[img]http://lh5.ggpht.com/ryanonthebeach/SKck1WisxoI/AAAAAAAAA18/aj1jgr3kruU/IMG00027.jpg?imgmax=512[/img]