How does Digital Maximizer compare to a speed coil?
How Speed Coil Motors Work
Electrical loads are hooked up in series with the motor so that power from the battery is split between supplying the motor and supplying the additional loads (speed coils).
Power from the battery is fairly constant regardless of the speed setting. Therefore, on speed 1 for example, more power is diverted to the speed coil than is supplied to the motor. This makes the overall motor assembly less efficient (vs. variable speed/Digital Maximizer).
Extra power consumed by the speed coil produces heat, much like an electrical heating element. The heat is then transferred through the motor housing to the water. That is why speed coils are located in the lower motor unit.
Speed Coil Analogy
You are driving a car at full speed. To slow down, you brake with one foot while continuing to keep your foot down on the gas pedal. By doing this, you continue to burn gas (power) while causing the brakes to heat up.
Same theory applies with a speed coil motor. The power supply is still constant, but is diverted to the speed coils for the lower speeds which reduces efficiency and run time.
How Digital Maximizer Works
Since speed coils reduce the power going to the motor, the Digital Maximizer feature was designed to eliminate this inefficient speed control method by using rapid on/off switching. The Digital Maximizer is simply a switch that turns the connection to the battery on and off 20,000 times per second.
If on time is longer compared to off, the motor receives more power. If off time is longer, the motor gets less power. Since there is minimal power lost to accomplish this, the overall motor is very efficient.
Digital Maximizer Analogy
You are driving a car fully accelerated. To slow down, you lift your foot off the pedal to decelerate allowing only the proper amount of gas (power) to be used. This burns less gas than the first analogy and does not heat up the brake system.
Same theory applies to the Digital Maximizer. Only the necessary power to go the desired speed is delivered to the motor providing extreme efficiency and longer running time.
Digital Maximizer Benefits
Extended trolling time (up to 5x longer on a single charge).
The Digital Maximizer speed control saves valuable power over a conventional speed coil motor.
The Digital Maximizer allows more fishing time on your battery charge, up to five times longer run time per battery charge, compared to the 5-speed switch.
With variable speed control, the Digital Maximizer allows for proper speeds to be set and maintained while trolling lures for proper presentation.
Virtual speed adjustments for changing conditions.
The Digital Maxmizer allows for fine-tune speed adjustments.
The Digital Maximizer allows the user to control boat speed more effectively in changing environments.
Soft Start
A feature of the Digital Maximizer, it limits how fast the motor can go from off to on.
Soft start helps increase the motors life.
More Powerful Motors
Digital Maximizer electronics allow for more control of higher thrust motors.
A standard 5-speed switch does not hold up as well under the same conditions.