2017-11-03, 01:00 PM
(2017-11-03, 12:51 PM)seandepagnier Wrote:(2017-10-31, 10:56 PM)PaddyB Wrote:(2017-10-31, 09:28 PM)rgleason Wrote: Paddy B, the Wind Vane would not be used, but the servo pendulum would be.
It works OK with an actuator moving the vane instead of the wind, or take off the vane altogether. I've had it sort of working with a tiller pilot but need lots of damping.
What kind of damping did you use? Isn't the tiller pilot overkill? I think it probably moves too far, and also consumes too much power compared to what a smaller actuator would.
The one I have built is basically silent, but consumes 1/3rd of what a tiller pilot uses (should be 1/5th) is only strong enough to use in light wind.
It was a while ago, from memory I just jury rigged a loop of cord between the tiller pilot & wind vane. Draws little power when it's doing nothing, power isn't an issue anyway as it would only ever get used motoring, any wind at all the aries steers the boat plenty good enough. A little actuator would be useful for motoring in light airs, any kind of swell the tiller pilot I have can't cope, it's too small. Again from memory I had to fiddle of the damping to get it to work.