DIY Controls Save Thousands

DIY Controls Save Thousands When Andrew Jossund’s Concord Air Drill controls failed, he had two options. He could buy a new set from his dealer for several thousand dollars or make his own. He chose the latter. “I designed my own system,” he says. “It turns the clutch on the tank on and off automatically and displays fan rpms. It uses trailer wiring, a whisker switch, and a tach I found online. Best of all, it only cost about $200.” One of the reasons the OEM replacement cost so much was that it included a bin-level sensor, a tach, and a magnetic proximity switch that energized the seed cart’s clutch and started the seed monitor. Jossund’s system eliminated the more expensive technology. At the same time, the use of LED lights and clear junction boxes provides him with quick visual feedback. “A green LED lights up when the system has power, and a blue LED lights up when the seeder is lowered and the relay that powers the seed roller clutch is energized,” says Jossund. “They make it easy to ensure things are working properly and to diagnose any issues without probing wires.” Jossund installed a seven-pin connector between the cart and the seeding tool and 3D-printed a control box for the tractor cab. After his first switch failed, he used a heavy-duty whisker switch on the frame to engage and disengage the clutch. The tach was one he found online, complete with a magnet to hold it in place. “The problem with the original harness was that the connectors were causing problems,” says Jossund. “They weren’t heavy-duty enough for the job. I went with heavier-duty seven-pin connections. I made the wiring more foolproof and used off-the-shelf parts from the auto parts store instead of ordering through the dealer.” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Andrew Jossund, P.O. Box 39, Hendrum, Minn. 56550 (ph 701-367-3627; ajossund@gmail.com).

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