Click Program Upgrade for a description of the latest changes to the SmartWinch software. These latest changes are aimed at minimising the chances of accidentally getting into setup mode. 

 A new user adjustable parameter has been added. Deceleration rate adjustment. I like a sharp finish but others (and much better skippers than me) prefer a softer finish. So now the rate at which the winch decelerates can be adjusted. The time taken to decelerate from full speed to full stop can be as long as about 1 second to less than 0.1 seconds. See page 10 of the online Instruction Booklet  for more details.

Bug Alert

Skippers with winches purchased since March ‘04 may have noticed the odd glitch where the winch goes into stall mode occasionally. It seems to be rather rare but it can happen. I’ve only had one report from another skipper but I did see it in my own boat last time I sailed. If it does occur, just move the stick full travel up and back once or twice and it should clear. Alternatively turn the tx off then on again. Sorry about this but it’s one of those little bugs that got thought the net. I’ve exterminated that bug now and I would welcome any of these winches back for a free update.

 27/10/03

Price Reduction

Due to the increasing value of the Australian Dollar against the USD and therefore the reduction of our parts and materials costs, we've been able to drop our winch prices. See our Ordering page for the new prices.

29/09/03

Instruction Booklet   requires  

The booklet is available online. Either click on the link above or go to the Features page and under the heading "Standard Equipment" click on the link there. Acrobat Reader 3 or above is required. Let me know if you have any trouble with it.

Pictures Page 

I've also included a page for pictures that I may take from time to time. We get emails with pictures from friends and customers occasionally and I thought this was a way of returning the favour without sending emails with large attachments. I'd love some feedback  

We'll be away from the 'winch factory' for a week while attending the A.C.T. A class titles in Canberra (4 & 5 Oct). So please be patient with any expected email replies. We are leaving on  Wednesday 1st and expect to return the following Tuesday or Wednesday.

23/04/03 - 

'D' model controller circuit revision

After many long days (and nights) of sometimes frustrating assembly language programming I'm quite satisfied with the software operating the new controller. Anyone who has dabbled in this level of programming will have a bit of an idea of what I mean. The program consists of over 50 pages of assembly code.

The main aim was to increase resolution so that a smoother low speed operation could be achieved. This has been achieved by changing to a faster microcontroller and using 10 bit feedback resolution. The new microcontroller can measure changes in transmitter pulse width down to 250 nanoseconds (0.00000025 seconds). Considering the average Transmitter outputs a 1 millisecond pulse range this means the winch can divide the transmitter pulse into 4000 increments. With 10 bit feedback resolution the winch can divide the full travel range into 1000 increments. However let's not get carried away. Most transmitters are no where near accurate enough to make use of the level of resolution of the previous controller let alone the new one. As previously mentioned it is about smoothness of operation and not about being able to adjust the sheets in 0.5mm increments. 

From a positioning accuracy and resolution point of view I believe the previous 'c' revision was more than adequate. However some skippers (yours truly one of them) had commented in the past about the jerky nature of the winch when making small adjustments in position. I suspect that what I have achieved will negate that complaint. Another irritating habit of the old controller was for the winch to hesitate just before reaching final rest position. While this has been greatly reduced, it is still evident to a very small extent. The cause of this is the nature of the dynamic PWM feature. There is room here for further development.

I'll list here the changes made with the new controller. Most are significant but one or two are merely cosmetic. The mechanical differences are noted on the Specs page.

• New start-up signal. Just a cosmetic change to give the new models a distinctive sound. All other signals are the same to avoid confusion.

• Resolution increased to give smoother low speed operation. Moving the transmitter stick in a smooth and consistent manner will result in smooth and consistent behaviour from the winch. Low speed control is much better than the jerky nature of the previous controller.

• Over shooting reduced. Actually overrun and hunting due to over shoot is virtually eliminated. Only at the highest voltage (between 8 to 8.5 volts) is there any hint of over shoot. Even from full speed the winch now comes to a halt at the desired position in a smooth and definite action without the old habit of sometimes going past then running back and forth a few times before settling.

• Battery monitoring now works for 4 dry cell and 6 volt gel cell batteries. While I recommend against this type of pack I acknowledge that many skippers use dry cell packs and get away with it. The winch will now monitor these packs as well as 6 volt gel batteries down to 5 volts (corrected 26/04/03 was 4.8, sorry about that). Five and six cell monitoring is maintained. Sorry but 4 cell NiCad or NimH packs still not supported by the battery monitoring feature.

• Low battery shutdown is no longer permanent. Previously once the winch had shut down due to low battery. the boat would have to be sailed to shore with the winch locked in the half way position. Only once it was turned of then on again could the winch be operated again. Now, when the winch detects low battery and runs to half way, it will continue to monitor supply and should the battery recover enough to rise above the low battery shutdown level (plus 0.1 volt hysteresis) it will hand control back to the user. But you'd be rather silly to ignore the warning and continue to sail.

26/4/04    I have added an extra function to the battery monitoring feature. When battery monitoring is selected by the user during setup, the winch now tells the user which level has been selected. The 3 levels are:

1. 6 Volt gel cell

2. 5 cell pack NiCad or NimH

3. 6 cell pack NiCad or NimH

4 cell rechargeable pack are still not supported by this feature.

• Low speed during setup. During the travel setting section of the setup procedure the winch is speed limited to about 1/3 full speed. The intention here is to make it easier to get the winch into the spot required as the maximum out position as well as making it safer during the auto run section of travel setup just in case sheets are attached at the time and a stall occurs. This feature gives rise to the possibility in a future revision of allowing the user to program a maximum speed for the winch during normal user mode of operation. (what! more complications in the setup procedure I hear you complain)