Yes, thanks for pointing that out - edited and fixed…
- Jon
Being able to control larger motors like a servo makes for bigger projects. One might could make a robotic arm with a 10’ reach using winches. Anyhow, my interest would be in controlling the winch motor using a $10 standard servo so it would act like a servo. The winch control has push buttons which the servo could operate directly, or they could be made into a switch pack attached to the winch mechanism and the servo used as a winch positioning pilot control. Lots of different ideas. Might be useful for projects that need something more powerful than the 1/4 scale servos.
At the point where you were spending that much money, you would just use larger motor controllers for Servo positioning. The OSMC and some other large Vantec controllers are capable of using Voltage inputs from pots as feedback for positioning. You’re looking at $300 to $600 per controller but that is just the cost of building big.
$300-600 for a controller might be acceptable for an industrial setup, but way too expensive for a hobby project. I’d look at $300-600 for a working arm. The educational part of the hobby doesn’t go very far just settling for buying finished off the shelf components without some attempt to design/build what is needed.
I guess that’s why there are no hobby priced 10 foot arms around. 
Also the cheaper easier way of doing this would be using linear actuators.
At $100 a pop for 150 to 400 lb thrust actuators, all you need is a relay or small motor controller capable of 3 amps to run it. And most have linear potentiometers built in.
One could use an HS-805 servo board to control it and utilize the pot. However the actuators are 12V so it would cook the controller.
It is closer to possible than a winch though. And a winch just being a gear motor, one could gear down a medium sized gear motor to provide the same results for less cash.
I really need to look into making my own linear actuators… The lathe is just sitting there gathering dust 
Getting back on track with big motors, I think one can get generic auto starter relays for as low as ~$6.50. It would take 4 to control a single motor foward/reverse, but the option is there if needed. Below is the basic mechanical part for a large hydraulic arm for $3k (but probably better discussed in the arm group).
Back here in belgium I can get these
For about 300$ (rough conversion), and cylinders for about half that each.
The problem is the valves, they’re quite pricey and haven’t found a decent supply for them yet. That, and not being able to weld nor having enough space has so far stopped me from starting a hydraulic arm.
Thing is, with the pressures hydraulics run at, it’s no longer a toy, it’s a death-trap in more than one aspects…
When I went to school for automotive repair years back, my instructor told me a few very high pressure systems can be dangerous. If one of the high pressure lines developed a pin hole leak, and you walked past it, it would cut you in half. The high pressure and small beam of fluid would act like a water jet. I dont know if it would really cut someone in half, but the point is, it could cause serious harm. 
Believe it!
HP Air is also very dangerous! The 3000# to 5000# compressed air (and steam) systems on the submarine I was on could propel a bolt like a bullet, or invisibly cut your hand or fingers off. Standard practice on the boat when an HP air leak was suspected (compartment gets foggy, high-pitched scream) was to use a broom stick to “feel ahead” for the failure. Same for hydraulics.
Be safe out there!
Alan KM6VV
If one has sufficient $$$, the ways to cut one’s fingers off, burn the house down, etc., is almost unlimited. One needs to understand potential dangers. Back to the winch motor, two solenoids of proper size could be used to push the foward/reverse buttons. The important part being that a contact pulling significant current should be cleanly OPEN or CLOSED, and not anywhere inbetween. This type of operation would be of interest for those that are interested using larger sized motors that might be found in children’s riding toys, wheel chair motors, or perhaps grand dad’s golf cart. Discussion on using a small inexpensive servo as a control pilot for large motors would probably better fit in the new servo group.
Yeah, back on subject. What I had intended to say last time.
I wouldn’t fool around making solenoids push buttons. Use the appropriate sized relay, and REPLACE the push buttons in the circuit.
The actuation circuit can thus be locally controlled (by new circuitry for the existing buttons), or remotely.
Actually, while I’m at it, winch motors are NOT suitable for continuous running as you’re suggesting. Think about starter motors. True, they are designed for limited duty cycles as well, but you don’t have any of the extra junk you don’t need. Just run them well under ratings, and they seem to be fine for the job. I believe I’ve seen them used in children’s toy ride-cars this way.
Alan KM6VV
“I wouldn’t fool around making solenoids push buttons. Use the appropriate sized relay, and REPLACE the push buttons in the circuit.”
I’ve already mentioned that four starter relays would be needed at ~$6.50 each, for a ~$26 for that approach. Two solenoids operating the button contacts for maybe ~$8 total. The pushbutton contacts are included with the winch.
“The actuation circuit can thus be locally controlled (by new circuitry for the existing buttons), or remotely.”
Same controls would be used for the relays or solenoids (they are basically the same)
“Actually, while I’m at it, winch motors are NOT suitable for continuous running as you’re suggesting. Think about starter motors. True, they are designed for limited duty cycles as well, but you don’t have any of the extra junk you don’t need. Just run them well under ratings, and they seem to be fine for the job. I believe I’ve seen them used in children’s toy ride-cars this way.”
I know about the limited duty cycle of auto starter motors. Per the ratings below, I would expect the winch to spool the 50’ cable under rated load with overheating or other issues. Per the specs that would be ~8.5 minutes, but you never know about inexpensive equipment. Anyhow my main thought was to use the winch as a servo, with only 180 deg rotation of the spool. It appears to have an internal brake that locks the spool when no power is applied, so possibly no holding current issues. I’ve also looked at making a large cable operated arm some what like pre WWII construction equipment. Down the road someday I may make a string operated arm using yard sticks for the arm sections and continous rotation servos as small winches. In a slow operating setup like this position feedback would be required to determine when the the arm was actually in the desired position prior to the next action taking place. I could see using inexpensive wood wall studs (or maybe the new metal versions) to make the large arm structural sections.
Planetary gear system for fast, reliable pulling.
Automatic load-holding brake
Free spooling clutch
Power-in, power-out
1.5 HP, 12 volt heavy duty permanent magnetic motor
Remote control with 9ft. 9" cord
2000 lb. rated single line pull
50 ft. x 5/32’’ air craft cable
Gear ratio: 153:1
Line speed: 10.5 ft. per minute @ 550 lbs, 7.5 ft. per minute @ 1000 lbs., 5.9 ft. per minute @ 1500 lbs., Mounting base dimensions: 5-1/2’’ L x 4-1/8’’ W, bolt pattern: 1.9" x 3"; Overall dimensions: 12.2’’ L x 4.5’’ W x 4.3’’ H; Shipping weight: 16.2 lbs.
http://www.yobotics.com/actuators/frap.jpg
That is the elastic actuator Jon was talking about. From Yobotics.
The only drawn back of the banebots motors is efficiency. Yes the have 85A stall current but they also consume near 2A just spinning without no load.
I use them in my sumo robot, not that motor in particular, faster one.
They make a lot of noise too! Physical noise, I did no measure the electric noise.
No one has those type of motors at that price! It is a good trade off.
I was planning on building a big rover with 8to10inch wheels with those.
I want to put a laptop on it and program it using a widow software and a webcam.
I want to make a japanese syle sumo with those motors! The japanese sumo can use magnets to hold there robot down! I think with 300kg of torque I should be able to move! Just think of the current involve!!
One project at the time!
