2020-08-17, 03:05 PM
(This post was last modified: 2020-08-17, 03:11 PM by emilecantin.)
(2020-08-08, 06:52 AM)kinefou Wrote: I also started from scratch and got the motor of my autohelm 4000 for steering wheel (with drive belt).
That's not really "from scratch"
![Wink Wink](https://forum.openmarine.net/images/smilies/wink.png)
Starting from an existing pilot hardware seems to be the easiest option for wheel steering; I'm strongly considering it if I can find the hardware for cheap.
(2020-08-08, 02:30 PM)seandepagnier Wrote: another possibility is to mount a windshield wiper motor to your pedestal and use 3d printed toothed pulleys of 8:1 reduction belt to the wheel. This would end up costing about $20 (if you get wiper motor from junkyard and have a 3d printer) You would need to remove the belt each time. I want to make kits for this eventually... Any ideas for disengage ?Yeah, windshield wiper motors are probably a better idea than RC-style motors (too fast and too weak).
The wheel pilots on ebay for $500 is too high. That's basically what it costs new, and the motor is weaker than a wiper motor. These also wear out, and if you look at how the clutch works in them, there is a lot of friction so they can't be the best efficiency.
For disengage, I think a system of idler pulleys with a lever that takes the belt off the motor pulley would probably work pretty well. That was my original plan with RC-style motors.
I've also played with another boat's autopilot (actually the first time I've touched a commercial unit), and I was really surprised at the amount of friction when disengaged. I definitely want a better system than that.