Watersnake/Hobie Compass Build

Background

I love flyfishing from the Hobie standing up. The major downside is the fact that I have to move to a spot and sometimes drop anchor to do my 10 casts for that area before moving on. Up and down in the seat + the anchor setup becomes kind of counterproductive . Oh and sometimes I often remove the mirage drive, so the line doesn't tangle around it.  If I flyfish sitting down, I only have to contend with the anchor. So kind of a pain for stand up fly fishing...

Down the road when salmon season starts, I might just using it for trolling as coverage of water will be important as well

I have given thought to building a trolling motor setup, so I can at least troll around at slow 1mph speeds. This would allow me to cover the water standing up as well as covering the water slow enough so I can get my casts in to a particular area. Theoretically, even if I'm in current and want to stay in one location,  if I build a variable speed control, I should be able to stay put without have to drop anchor.

So, I have ordered so far
 T-24 watersnake trolling motor
 PWM motor control / variable speed

I'll be looking into the battery next as that can be cheap or expensive. Trying to estimate my amperage draw as Lithium based batteries can be pricy. ie, 50ah / 12 volt ~ $500
Anyone have any experience with trolling conventional gear for salmon? Just curious on the speed and amperage usage. I'm guessing for a 2mph troll, amps would be about 6amp. Is that a good troll speed even?
As for trolling for fly fishing, the battery draw will be super low, so easier decision there.

P.S, this kind of setup,

What PWM did you get?

this guy, PWM

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GFM53H7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Where's Chet at?!

that looks sweet as man.  I need to get out on a lake and try standing up on my hobie to sight cast.

I need to get out on a lake lol.

I use this PWM for my Water Snake... https://www.ebay.com/itm/MAX-10-50V-2000W-40A-12V-24V-48V-DC-Motor-Speed-Control-PWM-HHO-RC-Controller/201399689235
If you tweak it a bit, you can embed the board inside the the motor housing and not have overheat issue.
If you go 2-2.5 mph, the pwm and motor draw around 3.0a. I use a 20ah LifePo4 (7 lbs) battery and I could troll for ~6 hrs straight without pedaling.

I do not like the mod where you mount the motor where the Mirage drive goes, because it is useful to be able to use the mirage together with the motor. I built a PVC mount where I simply plug the motor into the built in rod holder. Take 2 seconds to install or remove. You get to retain the Mirage drive. It's a win-win-win.

ernest

Some pics of the motor setup. The PWM is inside the housing.

Two battery boxes. Gray one is running a 20ah LifePo4. The other one is running 2x 10ah Lipo in parallel. It would fit 3 Lipos if I want to.

I use this PWM for my Water Snake... https://www.ebay.com/itm/MAX-10-50V-2000W-40A-12V-24V-48V-DC-Motor-Speed-Control-PWM-HHO-RC-Controller/201399689235
If you tweak it a bit, you can embed the board inside the the motor housing and not have overheat issue.
If you go 2-2.5 mph, the pwm and motor draw around 3.0a. I use a 20ah LifePo4 (7 lbs) battery and I could troll for ~6 hrs straight without pedaling.

I do not like the mod where you mount the motor where the Mirage drive goes, because it is useful to be able to use the mirage together with the motor. I built a PVC mount where I simply plug the motor into the built in rod holder. Take 2 seconds to install or remove. You get to retain the Mirage drive. It's a win-win-win.

ernest

Ernest -

Nice 6 hours, that's promising. Did you always run w/ a pwm from the get go? Just curious if you did and how was the power usage different.
Your mount from the fishing rod holder is dead simple... wow  . What'd be the advantage of running the mirage and the motor at the same time?

I was thinking of putting the PWM into the head as as well, one less piece dangling around on some cable.. Looks great!

Did you always run w/ a pwm from the get go? Just curious if you did and how was the power usage different.

What'd be the advantage of running the mirage and the motor at the same time?

Before my PWM arrived, I tested the motor. If I remember right, without the PWM, the Water Snake draws 15a on high, 7.5a on low (1.5-2mph). With the PWM I showed, 3a draw can push my Revo to between 2-2.5mph. The default HI/LOW switch is nothing but a power resistor which burns off the power. Very inefficient.

As the battery depletes,  the speed also decreases. If you want to maintain certain speed, you can compensate by pedaling. I mean, why would anyone want to take away the ability to use the Mirage drive? In my opinion, if you can do without the MD, you probably don't need a Hobie.

Have fun with your build.

On my setup I use a pwm system I got online. It has a safety cutoff switch in case you fall off the kayak. I have it wired up so I can bypass it and use the original motor switches if needed.

I have been using Bixpy Jet for almost a year and very happy with its performance.
It comes with a wireless remote with 12 speeds control. 

Did you always run w/ a pwm from the get go? Just curious if you did and how was the power usage different.

What'd be the advantage of running the mirage and the motor at the same time?

Before my PWM arrived, I tested the motor. If I remember right, without the PWM, the Water Snake draws 15a on high, 7.5a on low (1.5-2mph). With the PWM I showed, 3a draw can push my Revo to between 2-2.5mph. The default HI/LOW switch is nothing but a power resistor which burns off the power. Very inefficient.

As the battery depletes,  the speed also decreases. If you want to maintain certain speed, you can compensate by pedaling. I mean, why would anyone want to take away the ability to use the Mirage drive? In my opinion, if you can do without the MD, you probably don't need a Hobie.

Have fun with your build.

Yeah, those power resistors sure burn up a lot of juice, what a waste!!!

My only reason for removing the mirage drive is because I would have tangles from the fly line.

Some pics of the motor setup. The PWM is inside the housing.

Ernest -
Oh, just got my watersnake delivered today, I may just try that setup first and see how it works. Is that the stock length on the shaft?

Stock shaft. I didn't trim down the shaft.

Two battery boxes. Gray one is running a 20ah LifePo4. The other one is running 2x 10ah Lipo in parallel. It would fit 3 Lipos if I want to.

How long does 20ah at 16.8V last you? Is the motor okay with those 4s batts (16.8v full and 14.8v nominal) rather than 3s which is 12.6v full and 11.1v nominal?
I might try this for salmon season...