2019-01-22, 01:03 AM
The limit switches are 2 wires each, but 3 for both limits because there is a common ground. So you could use reed switches megnets etc The arduino has internal pullups, so the digital input io is pulled high, and when grounded, the limit switch is triggered. You could use hall effect as well, but I don't see much advantage over a reed switch and it would need more wires.
As for counting pulses.. I don't really recommend this because it won't give you absolute position. This relative position could be useful, but it would make more sense and be better to have absolute position.
So to get absolute position, consider using a potentiometer that is arranged to vary voltage depending on rudder position.
To make it automatically move to the position to connect to the rudder would require two position sensors. One for the actual rudder position, and another for the actuator position. This is technically possible but not implemented. As for parking the actuator, it's a great idea too, but not implemented, again you will need two absolute feedbacks, one for the rudder, and another for the actuator to do all of this.
As for the esp8266 to make a control.. sure it's possible but I have no code for this. It would be a lot easier to run a raspberry zero with nokia5110 screen and buttons, and have it wirelessly connect to the actual autopilot and this is already fully implemented.
As for counting pulses.. I don't really recommend this because it won't give you absolute position. This relative position could be useful, but it would make more sense and be better to have absolute position.
So to get absolute position, consider using a potentiometer that is arranged to vary voltage depending on rudder position.
To make it automatically move to the position to connect to the rudder would require two position sensors. One for the actual rudder position, and another for the actuator position. This is technically possible but not implemented. As for parking the actuator, it's a great idea too, but not implemented, again you will need two absolute feedbacks, one for the rudder, and another for the actuator to do all of this.
As for the esp8266 to make a control.. sure it's possible but I have no code for this. It would be a lot easier to run a raspberry zero with nokia5110 screen and buttons, and have it wirelessly connect to the actual autopilot and this is already fully implemented.