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Daniel,
Captain Kittredge had a couple of slick mods to convert a standard motor to
an extended shaft unit (which he had built originally to use as direct drive
units). However, it's a ton of not fun to build them, and you'd be better off,
I'm certain, using the Minn-Kota 36vdc 102 # thrust trolling motors. They
produce, in reality, about 70# of thrust at full power, which is substantial,
and considerably more than George's 1/2 horsepower side motors.
The 3 hp 36 vdc permanent magnet motors are no longer available (or so I am
told). They had a nasty habit of overheating and welding the brushes. Drop all
that and use three of the Minn Kota's in place of the as-drawn units, and you'll
have more than enough.
The conversion is pretty easy if you are a machinist, or know one. Break
the motor can down and cut proper o-ring grooves in the mating surfaces. The
shaft socket is used for garter seals or the like in stock form. Punch that out
for a ceramic rotary seal to match, and you got it. You ought to be able to do
the whole deal for a couple of grand, give or take. Build a spare or two while
you're at it and stick it in the tool box. You never know when something will
get wet.
I'll get one of these together for next year's psub meet, all things being
equal, and maybe some sketches. It'll give us something to argue about.
Vance
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