2023-10-17, 12:02 PM
Hello,
I have recently purchased a new boat that has a worm drive for the rudder. I have been trying to come up with a design for the autopilot. The worm drive has a wheel with a shaft that runs between the legs of the helmsman and under the seat. The only designs I can think of would be to use a motor to drive a belt to the wheel or to run ropes to a spool on the wheel. My preferred design would be to mount a wiper motor with a belt pulley out of sight and make use of an electromagnetic clutch. I have watched the Pypilot video for the steel boat and it is the concept I would like but I do not see a clutch in that video. I also do not see a belt tensioner that can be used to disconnect the autopilot.
I was thinking of using an air conditioning compressor clutch from a car but it has a large pulley. The motor would require a smaller pulley. I have searched the internet far and wide for a suitable solution but everything seems to fall short. I am sure I could adapt something but I would prefer a clutch that could attach directly to the wiper motor shaft. There isn't much room inside the seat compartment and because it is a traditional style boat, I would prefer that it be out of sight. Otherwise I might need to build a teak box for it.
Has anyone had this issue? What are people using to disconnect the autopilot when they have wheel steering Are there any good belt tensioners with a handle that might be more suitable.
Below are pictures.
All ideas are appreciated.[attachment=2523][attachment=2524]
I have recently purchased a new boat that has a worm drive for the rudder. I have been trying to come up with a design for the autopilot. The worm drive has a wheel with a shaft that runs between the legs of the helmsman and under the seat. The only designs I can think of would be to use a motor to drive a belt to the wheel or to run ropes to a spool on the wheel. My preferred design would be to mount a wiper motor with a belt pulley out of sight and make use of an electromagnetic clutch. I have watched the Pypilot video for the steel boat and it is the concept I would like but I do not see a clutch in that video. I also do not see a belt tensioner that can be used to disconnect the autopilot.
I was thinking of using an air conditioning compressor clutch from a car but it has a large pulley. The motor would require a smaller pulley. I have searched the internet far and wide for a suitable solution but everything seems to fall short. I am sure I could adapt something but I would prefer a clutch that could attach directly to the wiper motor shaft. There isn't much room inside the seat compartment and because it is a traditional style boat, I would prefer that it be out of sight. Otherwise I might need to build a teak box for it.
Has anyone had this issue? What are people using to disconnect the autopilot when they have wheel steering Are there any good belt tensioners with a handle that might be more suitable.
Below are pictures.
All ideas are appreciated.[attachment=2523][attachment=2524]