Help with Minn Kota PD transducer

[Cephkiller]

I just purchased a Minn Kota 50 PD and I installed a transducer on it.  When I deploy/stow the motor, I have to pull the transducer cable out to the side to prevent it from getting caught in the bracket.  This is very annoying-not to mention that I have already dinged the cable insulation a few times.  I never considered this problem when I bought it or I would probably have went with a cable steer motor.  With a traditional cable steer mount, the motor shaft can remain at the same relative depth to the mount when you stow/deploy.  With the PD, however, the motor shaft has to slide up/down through the mount every time.  Any suggestions?

BTW, I didn't buy a universal sonar model because I wanted to have the temp sensor.

[Glenn]

Try using zip ties on the shaft to hold the cable in place.  

[Muddpuppy]

I split some aquarium tubeing and placed it on my cable and taped it back up. Where it looked like it might pinch I left a slight bow in it when I attached it to the shaft avoiding the problem area. Works so far.  Make sure that you place the cable ties so that the shaft has room to travel.  

[Cephkiller]

Thanks for the tips.  I already have it zip tied, but the tubing might help protect it.  I guess it's hard to explain if you haven't seen it.  I think it is a design oversight.  When you stow the motor, you have to slide the shaft all the way up through the mount and twist the motor sideways to stow it.  When you do this, the cable slides through the point where the mount pivots and it gets pinched.  I realise the cable ties are necessary to secure the cable while the motor is in the water, but they really increase the problem when stowing because they keep the cable close to the shaft where it interferes with the mount.  Anyway, thanks again for the suggestions.

[Muddpuppy]

I don't know if any of these will work but maybe you can build on something from them.  I am just looking a picture of the power drive and not a very good one.

Put some slip rings on the shaft and attach the cable to them so they swivel.  when the motor is raised the cable will collect and gather above the motor.  When the motor is lowered the rings will slide apart and the cable accordian out with the shaft.  

or

attach a collar on the shaft near the motor so that it can turn and then hinge a small stiff dia. tube to it.  Put a slight  offset (to clear the mounting neck on the mount) in the tube below the mount when  parallel  to the shaft cut a slot in the mount or attach a clip to the side, that the tube can slide thru.  When the motor is raised the tube will raise up and pull slightly away from the shaft and slide up through the mount  when deployed the tube will slide down through the slot and come to rest next to the shaft .  Run the cable through the tube. Just from the picture. I don't see how you are abel to attach anything  to the shaft directly and be able to raise and lower it.  Like I said I haven't tried to work any of these out on paper it is just the first couple of things that came to mind when I looked at the picture.

[Muddpuppy]

One more and I won't cluter up your post  no more.  Build a cable winder out of (for instance) the pull start off a mower replace the the pulley with a wider spool so that it works like a cat head puller. useing a drive spool and an idle roller might work better so that it doesn't twist the cable.  Something may be found fairly cheap at an electrical wearhouse catalog or a cord roll up out of an electrical appliance.  But this doesn't keep the cable from running unsupported in the water unless it can be tied to the shaft some way that I don't see.

[fishingtvn]

i have the 40 pd and know exactly what you mean! what i've done is not make it tight but leave it loose. with it loose you can easily route the wire with your free hand when you pull the motor up so it does't get pinched and still be carefull!! you can damage the transducer wire real easy if you just pull that motor up w/o paying attention. also i wrapped the wire in a few layers of electrical tape just in case.