UltraLock II LiveScope Transducer Wand — DIY Target Lock

[Datsun510]

Finally moved the non essential electronics out of the housing, the only thing in there is the compass/control board. But it still isn't working reliably after I turn ON the lock. Basically the same as before, it's erratic, sometimes it locks and will track movement if i rotate the wand slowly enough. Other times, it just does what it wants. Not sure I want to buy new (not ebay) and have the same results.

Have you noticed any differences in the disc in the compasses that are working vs ones that don't?

[Bill Reynolds]

Finally

Have you noticed any differences in the disc in the compasses that are working vs ones that don't?

Not that I remember. I blamed most of my problems on removing the ribbon cables from the compass so I could mount it in a small separate enclosure. I still have some of those in my parts box I might experiment with them but it will be a couple weeks. I have tournaments the next 2 weekends and practice days in between.

[Datsun510]

Thanks Bill for checking when you have time.

Where do you go to buy the compass boards? I only see trollingmotorparts.com have them.

Good luck with your tournaments!

[Bill Reynolds]

Thanks Bill for checking when you have time.

Where do you go to buy the compass boards? I only see trollingmotorparts.com have them.

Good luck with your tournaments!

I like Northern Marine but I notice they are out of stock on Northern hemisphere compass assemblies. These guys have the best laid out parts diagrams.

Lakeland Marine is another good source but I mostly use trollingmotorparts.com.

[Datsun510]

Not sure why I didn't think of this before, but I swapped compasses and it's working! I looked at how the disc spins and one holds north as you rotate compass the other does what it wants. Hence why it was so erratic. I was so close to buying new.

The one on the left is the one that is holds north as you rotate the compass. You can see the 2 silver lines pointed correctly, the other compass is pointing 90deg in another direction.
IMG_3876.jpg

Thanks for all your help! Can't wait to try it on the water.

[Bill Reynolds]

Not sure why I didn't think of this before, but I swapped compasses and it's working! I looked at how the disc spins and one holds north as you rotate compass the other does what it wants. Hence why it was so erratic. I was so close to buying new.

The one on the left is the one that is holds north as you rotate the compass. You can see the 2 silver lines pointed correctly, the other compass is pointing 90deg in another direction.
IMG_3876.jpg

Thanks for all your help! Can't wait to try it on the water.

Is it the same if they are separated by a larger distance. ?

[Datsun510]

Is it the same if they are separated by a larger distance. ?

Yes, regardless how or where I hold the bad one, it always points in a random direction. Maybe the little silver bars got demagnetized somehow and is no longer attracted to pointing north.

The finished Target Lock Wand...
IMG_3878.jpgIMG_3886.jpg

[Bill Reynolds]

Yes, regardless how or where I hold the bad one, it always points in a random direction. Maybe the little silver bars got demagnetized somehow and is no longer attracted to pointing north.

The finished Target Lock Wand...
IMG_3878.jpgIMG_3886.jpg

Looks good, I bet you are anxious to try it on the water. I have the UltraScan on my boat currently and will probably use it through the spawn and post spawn then go to the UltraLock when they start schooling off shore.
With my new bracket design, integrated power source and using the same WiFi Foot pedal, it’s a 5 min change out. Of course you can do anything with the UltraLock that you do with the UltraScan but I like to use both to get on the water experience.

BTW: I have never been happy with the various cable straps, so I use Velcro straps made from this kit. Easy, clean quick to change and reusable.

[NAMVET1968]

[Datsun510]

I was finally able to use my Ultra Target Lock. It's a great addition to livescope, but I found it doesn't keep a solid lock to the set direction. I don't know if that's due to the motor speed or just general accuracy issue with the compass. It probably deviates a few degrees as the boat rotates, but with the foot pedals it's easy to bring it back to where you want it.

Next changes
1. Use a larger box for the wireless foot pedals. Need a little more separation between the buttons and a more stable box.
2. A way to activate the Target Lock wirelessly with a foot activated button. It's a slight inconvenience to reach down to press the button while fishing. Not sure there is an easy way to access the button on the control board. Would need to scrape off the conformal/epoxy coating to see the PCB traces.
3. Me. I need to increase my casting accuracy. I can see the fish in livescope, but rarely my lure.

Any thoughts on using a faster rotating motor to improve accuracy? Mine is 5 RPM, the next faster is 10. Although I figure even if the motor is slow, it should still get to the set direction once the boat settles.

Video of Target Lock https://photos.app.goo.gl/bbyHDjeyhQwLeb4k8 it's pointed at the rock pile just off the shore line. Hard to tell the accuracy since I don't have my livescope screen in frame.

Thanks again Bill.

[Bill Reynolds]

Next changes
1. Use a larger box for the wireless foot pedals. Need a little more separation between the buttons and a more stable box.
2. A way to activate the Target Lock wirelessly with a foot activated button. It's a slight inconvenience to reach down to press the button while fishing. Not sure there is an easy way to access the button on the control board. Would need to scrape off the conformal/epoxy coating to see the PCB traces.
3. Me. I need to increase my casting accuracy. I can see the fish in livescope, but rarely my lure.

Any thoughts on using a faster rotating motor to improve accuracy? Mine is 5 RPM, the next faster is 10. Although I figure even if the motor is slow, it should still get to the set direction once the boat settles.
Thanks again Bill.

Great Work Datsun. I can relate to your observations and need for changes.
These are my thoughts:
1) I have used a sloped front project box on some of my projects. Many options on Amazon.
2) I too see this need. I found a very small 12 volt solenoid with the thought of putting it in place of the manual button on the MK Autopilot. Would take some ingenuity to mount it and it is a wired device so there would need to be a WIFI relay in the circuit. Am still looking for a better solution.
3) I think about this often. I can seldom see my lure and watching it all the way back to the boat is a no go for me. I wonder if it would be easier with the transducer mounted on the trolling motor.

I think increasing the speed will help the response but it makes scanning with the foot pedal challenging. I also think the slack in the output shaft is a problem but have not found any double shaft motors without slack.
I do have an inline motor on my UltraAim that has no slack. As food for thought, take a look at the video in the UltraAim post; may generate a thought for a different design approach.