Blog: Build your own Hangglider and Paraglider Winch
Update 14/05/2026: New very cheap 1500W flexible nonisolated regulated stepdown-converter 15-140V in and 2.5-112V out. Can only stepdown. If the input is too low, it adapts the output voltage to a lower voltage. Fan only turns on when its hot. In-/output is isolated from chassis.
Update 01/05/2026: New JCM 750W 48V servo motor availiable in both a Pulse version and a CAN-version.
Servomotor
Update 09/04/2026: Bonnen has developed a new 96V 10kWh high-power battery capable of delivering 300A for 2 minutes (3C). This significantly lowers the entry barrier for DIY winches, as the battery cost constitutes a large portion of the total budget. A current of 300A is sufficient to power a tandem hang glider even under worst-case conditions.
Update 29/03-2026: We have added a control grip that makes it easy to tow yourself into the air. It is made by using two ESP32 and lora communication.
Update 07/03-2026: Hardware update on many control components:
The wire control encoder has been integrated into the motor design using Hall sensors in combination with a 3D-printed magnet disc. A loadcell has been integrated into the sled, providing fast feedback and enabling rapid response during wire payout.
A modbus IO-extension module can replace the expensive Schneider extension modules, and makes it easy and cheap to expand the functionallity. An interface terminal board has made the wiring of sensors and inputs much less complicated.
Update 21/02/2026: The remote control system was updated to a Teltonika OTD144 router using OpenVPN (CloudConnexa) for secure connectivity. The HMI interface is implemented on a tablet using HMI-Droid communicating via Modbus TCP. The OTD144 provides a plug-and-play solution due to its outdoor-rated design. Neither CloudConnexa nor HMI-Droid requires a monthly subscription. Compared to WebVisu, HMI-Droid is significantly more data-efficient due to the use of Modbus communication.