PWM on My Wilderness SE or Colorado XT Pontoon! (Bonus Battery Box) - How To

PWM Mk. I Did not last long! This video covers all of my improvements and modifications I made to the original PWM. Still the same functionality, but now with added features like a battery box and a new PWM case!
Here's the list of items I used to make this all happen:
PWM Unit - amzn.to/3vnYE5e
Battery Box - amzn.to/2QEKNbV
Minn Kota Quick Disconnects - amzn.to/3aJ0h5O
Trolling Motor - amzn.to/3nvjzAs
Trailer Cable with Quick Disconnect - amzn.to/3xsyDUe
Soldering Gun - amzn.to/2SbVVxy
Plastic for Box - Local Hardware Store
Fasteners(Bolts, nuts, ect) - Local Hardware Store
Small Electric Junction Box to Hold Controller - Local Hardware Store
Garmin Car Adapter - buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/667581
Let me know what you think of my video in the comments below.
Thanks for watching and I hope to see you back soon!
Follow me on my Social Media!
IG: / fish.and.forage
Facebook: / pnwfishandforage
Twitter: / pnwfishnforage
Merch: amzn.to/2NTeMsT
GEAR I RECOMMEND------------
Fishing Gear-----------
Budget Salmon/Steelhead/Surf Rod - amzn.to/2SVj2e2
Budget Salmon/Steelhead Reel - amzn.to/2QKlSzU
Budget Surf Reel - amzn.to/39OFgoa
Salmon/Steelhead/Surf Braided Line - amzn.to/2QN2UbH
Salmon/Steelhead Leader - amzn.to/2ZQulWg
Surf Leader - amzn.to/2MWAFX5
Bass Baitcaster Rod - amzn.to/37CwlnU
Bass Baitcaster Reel - amzn.to/2FlDv3D
Bass Baitcaster Main Line - amzn.to/2MS5E6A
Bass Spinning Rod - amzn.to/37DE9Wa
Bass Spinning Reel - amzn.to/2QFcxJq
Bass Spinning Main Line - amzn.to/2QSb9nc
Trout Rod - amzn.to/36pRpxx
Trout Reel - amzn.to/39CNeR2
Trout Main Line - amzn.to/39BmbWd
Trout Leader - amzn.to/37BR9M4
Trout/Bass Net - amzn.to/39xUbmm
Fish Grippers - amzn.to/2QMKpEn
Fish Scale - amzn.to/36qkmJU
Waders - dryftfishing.com/
Wading Boots - amzn.to/35kWZQt
Other Gear-------------
Chest Camera - amzn.to/2QqF9Y9
Chest Mount - amzn.to/2QmnSzl
Tripod - amzn.to/2MVmP7b
Recorder - amzn.to/2SOfrOW
Microphone - amzn.to/2ty23UE
Backpack(Day) - amzn.to/2ZSa1Uy
Backpack(Overnight) - amzn.to/2Ezigy4
Filet Knife - amzn.to/36pq6n9
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@billmeeks9860]

One of the best PMW build videos I've come across! Very well done and explained. Thank you!!!

[@garzaa1028]

Great video, man. I wish I would found this when I was making mine.

[@andrewcalma269]

Mahalo for sharing, was looking for ways to make my pwm hook up better by watching what you did,I plan on doim

[@swampfox1953]

Try liquid tight connectors and flexible conduit for running your wires too your controller. It will make a very tidy and waterproof installation. Any big box hardware store should have what you need.

[@mikecarnakis6243]

Cool mod.....good to see you out and about again....

[@FishandForage]

Thanks man! I've definitely been in a slump lately. Hoping to turn that around soon :) I have another video in the works already!

[@kevinlwiltfong7941]

Lawn irrigation valve control cable is UV resistant, round outer jacket to work well with waterproof connector on your hand control, and is available with 9 wires.

[@FishandForage]

Nice I'll check that out!

[@jedibill111]

Ingenuity at its finest. Nice work. I am surprised you have not added a rudder to your motor yet. I am making the rod holder idea you showed as we speak. Going to shape and fit a rudder out of a cutting board too. I understand that they help a lot with the boats tracking on the water.

[@FishandForage]

Let me know how it goes! I've seen some people's and it looks pretty slick just attached to the motor shaft itself!

[@andrewcalma269]

Great video, was looking for ways to improve my set up mahalo

[@ichibangrom9735]

Great video. Liked and subbed. Thanks for the Share

[@FishandForage]

Glad you enjoyed! Hope it was helpful for you!

[@thefirststrike]

I have seen several battery/PWM/fish finder mods, but yours is the best setup I have seen thus far. I recently bought a Colorado XT, and I will be doing some of these mods to mine as well. Thanks for sharing.

[@FishandForage]

Glad you found my vid! I hope it was helpful :) Good luck on the water!

[@Andy-df5fj]

While reduced speed settings on standard trolling motors do waste some power as heat, they do NOT use the same power regardless of the speed setting. That is an old wive's tale. Try hooking a current meter up and see for yourself.

[@skotth2]

Great setup! I have the same battery box, might try the same or similar PWM setup. Would be curious to see some kind of testing to see battery extended time savings with the PWM as opposed to without PWM using some fixed experimental full power, half power, troll time. to see how much the PWM actually conserves energy and time/distance on the water from origin push off.

[@FishandForage]

Yeah I have actually thought about giving it a good test, too. All I read before getting the PWM was how it was energy saving, but I did hear a couple dissenting opinions. Need to set up a test for a couple hours one day to confirm one way or another.

[@NorthwestOpenSeason]

When you get the flux capacitor hooked up, let me know, cuz I know some sweet fishing spots that were good like 15 years ago.

[@FishandForage]

LOL For sure! I may have some trouble getting this thing up to 88mph, though. 🔥🔥🔥

[@jeffreykendall8936]

Just an idea for the 8 wires needed. I work in the landscape industry and we use jacketed wire all the time for irrigation work. The wire we typically use is 18awg with 8 wires within the jacket. It would be something like 18/8. 18 gauge with 8 differently colored wires within. I know you can typically go into an irrigation store and buy a spool or if they are nice just cut you off what you need and pay by the foot. The nice thing is it’s very flexible and all 8 wires are inside of a black sheath. Please let me know if this is of any help. I am new to the pontoon boat game and I’m still learning. Thank you for all the great ideas!

[@FishandForage]

That is awesome to know! My best option before was a cat-5 cable lol

[@cortneywillert8779]

I bought cat 6 cable. It contains 8 wires, same gauge as what was on the pwm. CAT 6 is wound tighter than CAT 5. I bought an assortment of gland nuts from Amazon. PG11 will directly fit one of your holes on the conduit box. I know because I just did it.

[@FishandForage]

Cat5 was actually next on my list to try! I'll snag cat6 instead

[@brucepoole8552]

Not sure what I just watched but it seems cool

[@FishandForage]

Fun new pontoon mods, man! lol

[@ttttenney]

What a great idea to mount the PWM in the battery box and then run a small extended hand control unit. Any issues with the PWM over heating in the box? I really like your idea of using CAT-5 cable, so long as it's just for signaling and not any measurable current? Thanks again, for great ideas and for the video!

[@FishandForage]

Glad you like the idea! I haven't had any overheating issues yet. I've trolled with it for quite a while, too. I want to look into like heavy duty CAT-5. Maybe they make outdoor CAT-5 cables? Either way, the bulky controller cable will have to go eventually haha

[@xam1289]

Thanks for the tips. Where did you find the pressure gauges for your pontoon? Do you still like them?

[@FishandForage]

I got it on Amazon here: amzn.to/2SVKZFb I have to use a second O-Ring to keep the seal tight when checking pressure, though. I've seen some in-line gauges that I think would work better, but this one does get the job done at least.

[@Bamaoutdoors]

Thanks for the info! How is the pwm holding up I've heard these cheap pwm's burnout pretty easily?

[@FishandForage]

I am/was worried about heat, but I used it for a solid season with no issues. I think they are cheaply built and prone to getting lemons, so you could get unlucky for sure...

[@Bamaoutdoors]

@@FishandForage sounds good thanks!

[@TheGermanator3]

Question for you. I have a Colorado XT that I'll be using on a slow moving river. The river's current can be up to 5 mph. How fast does your 30 lb thrust motor move your inflatable? Trying to get an idea if 30 lbs is enough for my needs. Tnx

[@FishandForage]

It would not move it fast enough to go against 5mph current, but it would definitely help maneuver through it, if it's deep enough. The other problem is the pontoon gets pretty squirrely when moving quick, so if you did get a motor big enough, it'd be a challenge to keep it pointed upriver while also fighting the current!

[@cmartinrun]

Just curious can the battery be charged with the pwn still connected ?

[@FishandForage]

Yeah that shouldn't be a problem with a trickle charger like I use!

[@dougtarlton7912]

Did you include a kill switch?

[@FishandForage]

I did not! Didn't even cross my mind, really

[@wahkitng4505]

what the measurement for the garmin mount plate

[@FishandForage]

I cut the plastic board at 4inches x 6.5inches. As long as you can mount the fish finder on it, you should be in business!

[@deanbailey74]

Where is the Amazon link to all the parts?

[@FishandForage]

There's a bunch of links in the description. there's only a couple parts I got at a local hardware store. I listed those, too!

[@deanbailey74]

Could you build and sell this whole setup?

[@FishandForage]

I could, but I certainly am no pro haha I don't think I could do it efficiently enough!

[@deanbailey74]

@@FishandForage how much and how fast could you send. I am very interested. It's above my abilities. Ty

[@FishandForage]

Ah I won't be offering to make these for anyone. I am happy to answer any questions you have with the process, though! If it helps, I aint an engineer or anything. If I can get it working, I am pretty confident most anyone else could!

[@deanbailey74]

Ok. Thanks anyway.

[@BRoweeman707]

Why you got so many wires to controller? You only need 2 wires to control an 2 to battery?

[@FishandForage]

There's actually 6 or 7 different connections lol was a pain to put all together

[@Clubber_Lang]

What battery do you use? How many amps do I need to last a day on the water?

[@FishandForage]

This one I used was 60ah. I recently upgraded to a 100ah lithium though. I think 60 is safe for a solid day and a half of fishing and 100 is very safe for a whole weekend. Really depends on your budget and weight restrictions, too

[@Clubber_Lang]

@@FishandForage how high is your seat? I got the 7 in extention. Does your battery box fit under the seat or do you keep it in the basket?

[@FishandForage]

@@Clubber_Lang I got the 7 inch pedestal, too. I didn't try to fit the battery under it. Only ever had it in the basket!

[@Clubber_Lang]

@@FishandForage you don't have any issues with too much weight in the back?

[@FishandForage]

@@Clubber_Lang it definitely leans back a bit, but nothing too worrisome. And when I stand up on the front platform it does keep it more level lol