Deep Thinker thinks so the common fisher doesn't have to by computing and displaying the depth while avoiding the bottom.
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The Deep Thinker attaches by swivel mount to the main body of the downrigger. This module contains the printed circuit board (PCB) which acts as the RDB's (and fisher's) brain. The LCD screen and buttons combine to deliver a straightforward user interface.
WATERPROOF ENCLOSURE
The waterproof enclosure protects the PCB and display from water.
PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB)
The PCB is the nervous system of the RDB, it connects the inputs from the sensors to the Microcontroller. The PCB also takes the boat's 12V supply and steps it down to the 3.3V that the microcontroller craves.
MOSFETS
MOSFETS
MOSFETs act as on/off switches that control the LCD screen backlights and Reel Safe relay. These switches provide higher power than the microcontroller can supply.
LCD HEADERS
LCD HEADERS
Pin headers on the underside of the board provide a connection point for the LCD.
MICROCONTROLLER
MICROCONTROLLER
The microcontroller is the core of the board and processes the inputs and outputs. It controls the display while running depth calculations.
BUCK CONVERTER
BUCK CONVERTER
A Buck Converter steps down the boat battery's 12V power to a safe 3.3V for the microcontroller.
USER INTERFACE
LCD Screen
The LCD Screen has a transflective display allowing it to be as visible as possible in any outdoor condition.
Buttons
The top button sets a new reference point for the depth by resetting the angle and line out to zero.
The middle button allows the user to toggle a feature called Reel Safe, the feature raises the downrigger ball when it gets too close to the bottom, preventing damage
The third button acknowledges and turns off the alarm triggered by "Reel Safe” feature when it raises the downrigger ball
The user interface was designed on the principle of simplicity. Why spend time figuring out how to operate your RDB when you could be out catching fish.