EKOS C-1 wire drive install

[forescott]

I just installed a wire drive setup from Jeff Wholt, and thought I would document the installation. First I removed the old flex shafts and motors. I am using collets instead of couplers so you need to open up the center hole in the motor mounts. I used a battery powered dremmel tool to open up the holes. The second pic shows how to remove and install the motor screws by pushing a piece of silicone tubing over the screw and spinning it by hand.(this works really well)

[forescott]

Next I installed the couplers onto the motor shafts. One thing I found out is you cannot use any washers on your motor mount screws. There is barely enough room for the collet between the two motor mount screws.

[forescott]

Here is a pic of the wire drive compared to the stock cable

[forescott]

This is my first experience with wire drive and as you can see the wire is much smaller in diameter than the flex cable, so there is a lot of slop in the stock stuffing tube. It just so happens that the stock antennae straw fits snugly into the stock stuffing tube, and the wire fits snugly into the antennae tube! What luck!!

[forescott]

I'm not sure if using a teflon tube is correct for a wire drive system. I'm pretty sure you're wire is supposed to fit directly into the brass tubing, but I'm a little limited with the stock stuffing tube.

[forescott]

Here is a pic with it all together. I used plenty of speed grease in between the antennae and stuffing tube, and between the stuffing tube and brass/aluminum tube as well.

[forescott]

One thing that is a real pain is tightening the coupler. As you can see by the pic, its really tough to get a wrench on the main body of the collet with the motor screws in the way. Its possible,but a real bear!

[forescott]

Have'nt got it out on the water yet for a test but I'll be sure to post some results later.

[Jeff Wohlt]

Good job, one thing is that wire can tolerate a little more room in the stuffing tube. I have seen some run only a short piece thru the hull with open wire...They do not whip around like a cable.

So you probably could have stayed with the stock stuffing tube and be just fine.

Damn...got to be a better way on the couplers...that is a bear. The coupler doe not have to go all the way on to the shaft...maybe half is fine.

[forescott]

Good job, one thing is that wire can tolerate a little more room in the stuffing tube. I have seen some run only a short piece thru the hull with open wire...They do not whip around like a cable.

So you probably could have stayed with the stock stuffing tube and be just fine.

Damn...got to be a better way on the couplers...that is a bear. The coupler doe not have to go all the way on to the shaft...maybe half is fine.

Wasnt sure about the stuffing tube. Thought I'd better be safe than sorry. Actually the coupler is already about 2/3 the way up the shaft. Had to pull the coupler away from the motor to be able to get a wrench on it to tighten. The ekos motor mount is pretty thick.

[Team Jericho]

Great work and ideas! I am just about to order shaft drives from Jeff so this really is helpful :) But I am not sure if I want to go with the flex couplers...

PS: Can you please send me the link for those outlets you have to use the cooling on the motor mounts? I think you mentioned it on another forum thread but just can't find it again.. I really want to use this motor mount cooling on my EKOS and would like to order the right size outlets from OSE.

Thanks again!

[Team Jericho]

And your idea about using hose to help grasp the mounting screws on motor installs..ingenious!

[forescott]

Great work and ideas! I am just about to order shaft drives from Jeff so this really is helpful :) But I am not sure if I want to go with the flex couplers...

PS: Can you please send me the link for those outlets you have to use the cooling on the motor mounts? I think you mentioned it on another forum thread but just can't find it again.. I really want to use this motor mount cooling on my EKOS and would like to order the right size outlets from OSE.

Thanks again!

They are 4mm. I have straight fittings from e-bay, but ose sells the 90 degree ones that work just as well. http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/pro...prod=etti-a030

[forescott]

The collets work really well too. I have them both.

[forescott]

And your idea about using hose to help grasp the mounting screws on motor installs..ingenious!

I cant take credit for that one. Another ose forum members idea. Does work excellent though!