Surfgate style tabs on my 24v or not. Thoughts?!

[shawndoggy]

The problem is this: I don't think you can use something off the shelf to get both auto deploy and auto retract. Auto retract exists by way of the lenco brain module I posted. You might be able to wire up the lenco control brain backwards to auto deploy instead of auto retracting, in conjunction with the window switch. But you will need to also trick the lenco brain into only doing one actuator at a time (pretty sure its autoretract feature is "pull both back on zero rpm"). Pretty sure you could do that with a relay and a carling switch but it's starting to make my brain hurt.

[Ruger761]

I dont know how the lenco brain works so I'll look it up...

Ok you are correct. But for retract I think you could take the window switch and tie it into the tach wire on the control box then tie in a switch that would only activate 1 side at a time. The problem is still auto deployment. Almost need to take one of the LED indicator lights and somehow make it a limit switch for deployment, just not exactly sure how to do that yet.

[duffymahoney]

What about an old perfect pass unit.

[shawndoggy]

LOL, duffy, you need to PM martinarcher on themalibucrew and beg him to make you one of his gate controller brains.

[Ruger761]

Need an actuator like this with built in limit switches. Then a few relays with the rpm window switch and be good to go.

[duffymahoney]

For me, it would be too much work to do a computer or something super complicated. I think I will try a manual one and see how driving around with it out it. See what happens when it's weighted for surfing and a surfer goes down how hard it is to turn and go back. Most of the time I drive, but I have new people pulling me all the time. It can't be too difficult.

[Ruger761]

For me, it would be too much work to do a computer or something super complicated. I think I will try a manual one and see how driving around with it out it. See what happens when it's weighted for surfing and a surfer goes down how hard it is to turn and go back. Most of the time I drive, but I have new people pulling me all the time. It can't be too difficult.

Only one sure way of finding out, and thats making one and doing little bit of testing. Im hoping to get out in a few weeks if weather would improve.

[shawndoggy]

It just may change your turnaround procedure if when you surf goofy the driver still turns around clockwise. We don't... we turn around counterclockwise with a goofy surfer (put the high side of the boat to the wave) and figure 8 to pick up. The initial turnaround (first half of figure 8) should be fine, but the second half maybe not.

I think putting on lenco rams with the auto retract on neutral is the most foolproof simple system. Yes, your driver will need to hold down the "deploy surf tab" switch for a few seconds after you get up, but it's going to become second nature to do that because if the driver doesn't, the wave won't shape up. And then when they throttle off, there won't be any steering issues.

Even if it's not that hard to steer with a deployed tab, you never know when some drunk yahoo is going to do something stupid and you need to protect your rider really quickly.

[NICKYPOO]

I agree with shawndoggy that the auto retract is a real good way to go as an end product at present. Pushing a switch for a couple seconds is pretty tough to screw up. Even if your driver forgets, it's pretty easy to rectify. The only thing left would be auto deploy and I'm sure that is going to be available soon. That might be just enough time to get some good solid testing done.

[Ruger761]

Testing will be key in getting angle and size/shape correct I think. Looks to be easy enough though. On my hull/swim platform would have to do some major mods to the brackets and the platform to have enough room for them to fold up with an actuator. So for now just be trying a manual strapped on one.

[duffymahoney]

I already have my deck cut down so that shouldn't be an issue. So auto retract hooked up to the neutral?

[NICKYPOO]

Has anybody contacted Lenko on the feasibility of auto retract on neutral?

[shawndoggy]

Nicky it should be easy given that wiring diagram. Just tie a relay to the neutral safety switch so that when you are in gear, the relay puts out an energized signal, and when you come back to neutral the relay opens and breaks the circuit. To the lenco brain its going to seem just like keyoff at the ignition.

I can't remember whether the neutral safety switch is normally open or normally closed, but that shouldn't take but five minutes to figure out with a test light.

[NICKYPOO]

Nicky it should be easy given that wiring diagram. Just tie a relay to the neutral safety switch so that when you are in gear, the relay puts out an energized signal, and when you come back to neutral the relay opens and breaks the circuit. To the lenco brain its going to seem just like keyoff at the ignition.

I can't remember whether the neutral safety switch is normally open or normally closed, but that shouldn't take but five minutes to figure out with a test light.

I'm following you now. That does make sense.

There you go duffy. Hook it up!

I've been putting tape measures to hull and man, talk about limited space. What do you gou goin Ruger?

[Ruger761]

I'd like to see Duffys pics to see what he comes up with once he gets it going.

Nicky check out the pic on page 2 of this thread. Its something I thru together to see what would happen outa some scrap wood. I think it might be a little short based off the 18" number that was provided but it should be close to the angle and width. The boards sandwich the deck with rubber between them so I dont scratch the teak. Has a ratchet strap that pulls it tight to the hull. Far as a actuator style for our hulls, thats going to be a tough one to pull off I think. So for now just going to see what it will do with a manual strap on gate and some ballast placement. Course thats if the weather will stay normal. Was 80 last sunday and very nice. Its now 32 and windy.