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"
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.