2022-10-11, 10:21 AM
(2022-10-10, 09:12 PM)seandepagnier Wrote: This seems right. It really depends on the boat. I have rigged my boat to do 2 seconds rather than the typical 6-8 but I am also sailing at speeds > 10 knots, but my rudder stalls beyond 20 degrees rather than 30, and I may have still overdone it.
Sean. How do you easily check the rudder end-to-end travel time? And which parameter determines the duration.
I have a slightly oversize hydraulic pump for my boat, with an adjustable flow rate. https://www.marinepanservice.com/en/accessorio/ls-rv2
Right now, the pump is adjusted near the minimum flow rate, and seems to be working happily (just did a Norway-Shetland passage in quite rough conditions, and the motor was working without any issues. The overall current draw for the autopilot system was ~5 A).
I assume there will be a "sweet spot" where the motor controller output amps and the pump flow rate has optimum efficiency in terms of current draw...
Maybe I should consider to adjust the flow rate somewhat up. I guess that would directly affect the rudder travel time.
Any thoughts?