How to DIY Wireless Control

[@MrThomasfouraker]

I did this after getting my Livescope back in early 2019 with an old Minn Kota Power drive. Has worked great for me. I cut the lower unit off and the head unit off to make it a smaller profile and less mass in the water.. In doing so I added a voltage regulator to allow me to slow down or speed up the motor. I have my 93sv Plus at the console and it makes it nice trolling and being able to scan and look for structure/schools of fish from the drivers seat. I made it in conjunction with a Cornfield Crappie shaft mount. I really like it, and think it is the most effective way to utilize the Livescope transducer.

[@skunkedagain]

Hi Thomas: Actually, I think I got this idea talking to you (was it on FB?). I've actually considered pulling the motor unit off too. I also like to use the LVS from the console and panning around while I"m trolling. I also have one up front so I can provide those up front with the 2nd remote and they can find their own lures when jigging. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I actually bought 2 of these; one for the main, and another for the coast. Tim

[@MrThomasfouraker]

@@skunkedagain I know I have mentioned it on Bassboatcentral and a few youtube videos. Not sure if it was yours or other Livescope content creators. I only watch a few and I have referred your videos to numerous others to showcase what Livescope is capable of. On a side note, have you had any problems with battery life using the LS system? I know you had one on your kayak. My battery seems to struggle to crank my motor after fishing a few hours running LS along with a few HDS 8 for structure and sidescan. I believe the battery is good along with my onboard charger but have not validated either.

[@skunkedagain]

@@MrThomasfouraker I'm really surprised I haven't had any battery related issues, except for when the battery actually did go out on me. It lasted 3 yrs. But since I've gotten a new one, no issues. I run 2 Lowrance HDSs, 2 Garmin 93SV+, and boat pumps off the same cranking motor. I'm close to overloading it; so I carry a portable jumper in case....

[@denhaire]

Very innovative. Cornfield has one for a couple of thousand (smile).

[@skunkedagain]

Yeah Dennins, that's quite expensive compared to my $100 version. Tim

[@denhaire]

I misspoke. It is $995. I really love your creativity,. I would probably try this but my Da Ducer works so well for my kind of fishing. We need to get together soon. I have gotten better with the LiveScope and fish are coming back to brush on Lake Austin. Your LS views are really good so I could use some tweaking on mine.

[@skunkedagain]

@@denhaire that's crazy prices still... I'll stick with my $200 version. Tim

[@ribbs67]

I bought this same wireless controller for my DIY livescope mount. Problem is, I can't get the controller to light up / turn on . I've tried the pairing methods.. ( push and hold the button for 3 seconds etc. Power leads are good. Any suggestions? I was reading that it comes paired already. ??

[@skunkedagain]

I don't recall on pairing. but it should light up when it's powered. It could be a bad controller, but I've never experienced that in the 20 I've worked with. read comments on tricks on pairing. it's VERY important you follow what I've learned if you want to pair. Best of luck

[@helicopterjohns]

Nice DIY project you have there. I notice reading the comments that you have removed both the head and lower propulsion unit which is a good move. Not sure how some of the older controls are put together, but you might??? be able to remove the minn kota steering rotating unit from the deck bracket and make a DIY bracket to attach it to your spot lock trolling motor like cornfield crappie and others have done. If so, you could eliminate the second trolling motor bracket all together. Not sure if this would work but it may???? be something to think about. John

[@skunkedagain]

I actually thought about that to save space, but it’s doing fine as is. Let me know if you come up with any design ideas. Thanks, Tim

[@eddiet2729]

Any updating on removing head and lower unit? If you do/did it could you run the live scope cable inside the shaft to get rid of the spring?

[@skunkedagain]

I took both off, making it so much lighter. My most recent videos have them running. The cable doesn’t fit inside. Tim

[@kenhuynh275]

Cool idea. Just another big trolling motor mount kinda turn me away. Surprise no one invented something to sale yet. Small and portable.

[@skunkedagain]

Good point Ken. I just saw another one where the head unit was taken off. I think I'll take both the head and motor units off and leave just the shaft. Then, it's not much different from a standard stick. Thanks for your comment. Tim

[@outdoored1]

Can u show close up vid on exactly the wiring hook up on cordless controller

[@skunkedagain]

Yeah, maybe. It’s a simple hookup to the rotating motor. Power in, motor out.

[@michaelnorman8392]

I have the same controller and can’t get it to operate in “jog” mode like yours seems to. I have to push the arrow and then it moves until I press stop. The instructions say it can be programmed for jog mode but I can’t get it to work. How did you get yours to work that way?

[@skunkedagain]

Mine came out f the box that way. I recalled that the other option is as you described. KZbin that one! Tim

[@michaelnorman8392]

@@skunkedagain I’ll have to do more research I guess. It has very bad instructions and I tried several times to program it. In the Amazon comments a few people said that it didn’t have the jog mode even though the instructions say it does. Thanks.

[@skunkedagain]

@@michaelnorman8392 your TM is an xi5 right? That’s what mine is. I don’t believe the xi3 has that jog function. Tim

[@michaelnorman8392]

@@skunkedagain no, I’m referring to the eMylo wireless controller. I’m using it on a DIY livescope pole. When I push one of the directional arrows it keeps turning until I press the stop button.

[@skunkedagain]

@@michaelnorman8392 oh, sorry about that. The instructions are terrible. There’s a trick. When you program it, click it 3 times as fast as you can, then push left, then right. I program all of mine like that and the jog function works as is. If that doesn’t work, do an erase, then try again. I forget how to erase because I’ve not needed to do that. Just remember lightning fast 1, 2, 3 clicks to get into paired mode. Let me know. Tim

[@danlong9757]

Nice video. Are you going to be on the lake tomorrow? My friend and I plan to fish tomorrow at decker.

[@skunkedagain]

Hey Dan: Thanks for your message. I have some things to do tomorrow morning (house plumbing). I'm really trying to get it done and take my friend fishing. What time are you there? Tim

[@danlong9757]

@@skunkedagain Hi Tim, We are planing to go out there around 7 or 8 AM. Hopefully the boat ramps not close.

[@skunkedagain]

Hi Dan, I was there on Sunday, and it was still open. I haven't seen anyone talk about it being shut down. Do be carefull and keep your motor trimmed up around the docks. It's really low. Tim

[@danlong9757]

Thank you for the informations. So far 2 fish. Livescope is awesome. But I Need more time on water.

[@donaldmerseal1713]

How did u wire it

[@skunkedagain]

ONce you get the controller, there's 4 wires, 2 in and 2 out. cut the wire going to the trolling motor, and insert the controller in line.

[@kvanzeeland]

Can you help finding me a a useless trolling motor , do i need a wireless TM ??

[@skunkedagain]

Yes, wireless, any version should work

[@slange455]

Good idea except don’t want a second trolling motor mount to front of boat.

[@skunkedagain]

S Lange yep, definitely a drawback. Thanks for your thought. Tim

[@skunkedagain]

@My name is Steve Rogers You're right. Now that it's controllable from anywhere, it could also be mounted anywhere. I've also taken off the motor and head, so that it's only the shaft, and it;s super light and doesn't take up that more space than any other transducer shaft. The drawback of having it in the back is if you're spot locked onto a brushpile; the back swings around with the wind. But that's a small problem. There are lots of ways as you've noted. Thanks for your chiming in! Tim