"Sub $600 Autopilot" Progress

[BOAT]

It's not a donut it's a bagel

[mastreb]

vic, I ahve a quick question -- when an auto pilot is runnign it uses a far amount of power right, and I would guess this power is mostly to run a motor to "hold" the rudders one way or the other.

an idea taht has been floating around in my head is a way to reduce that power. What you do is you set up a clutch system so that the system is "locked" and held in position by a spring or something. Then when the auto pilot want to change the rudder positions, it uses a arm to "unlock" the stearing, ...spin to new position, then re engage the lock again. Because the default position is "lock", there is only power needed when changing the rudder orientation. make any sense?

Kevin.

Actually not so much--about 1..2 amps continuous on our boats. The mechanical advantage of the bagel on my unit is extreme: with the boat off, the donut will hold the motor and rudders immobile even with the motor up, which means that there's enough leverage that the weight of the motor on the steering system cannot overcome the leveraged resistance of the drive motor when it's off. Because of this mechanical advantage, holding course is not power expensive. The motor is making constant adjustments however. Less mechanical advantage would result in more power to hold course.

[seahouse]

Yeah - with the AP lever engaged there is considerable friction in the drive train to counter any manual input, from either you through the wheel, or the rudder. Disengage the lever and the mechanism is free again for easy manual correction through the wheel.

[vkmaynard]

vic, I ahve a quick question -- when an auto pilot is runnign it uses a far amount of power right, and I would guess this power is mostly to run a motor to "hold" the rudders one way or the other.

Actually our system uses zero power to hold the rudders by design. We use worm drive motor which by default locks the output shaft with no power required.

The system averages about 1.5A but varies depending on what the boat is doing. Heavy/gusty winds or counter steering on large, high speed turn to the right (p-factor) will increase the power requirement. Out of trim motor vs. rudders in power with rudders down mode will also increase the power requirement.

I've personally used the AP with great results under sail in 20+ MPH winds and under power at 27 MPH.

The main problem we've all experience with the beta units is not enough current capacity at 5A for some of those esteem conditions. The production unit is capable of 10A.

Victor

[mrron_tx]

Hey Victor.... Add Me to that long and growing list also Ron. Dauntless.

[Ixneigh]

Roger that on the potting...
What no wireless remote?
Upgrade to iPad type touchscreen remote with GPS, speed, radar and current booze inventory ?
I don't think vibration will be much of an issue
Any thoughts on man overboard key fob style separation cutoff auto hardover? (Problematical while under engine power )
Ix

[cptron]

Lets all wish Victor a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!
Let's hope he gets the AP into produciton before he turns 60

[Spector]

This is why design by committee seldom works

[kevinnem]

CHEERs congrats on surviving another trip around the sun!

Thank you all for the response - and I would have never considered a worm gear assembly. Brilliant.

Just to keep kicking a dead horse -- IF you could keep logs of some of the system parameters, do you think there would be any value in "data- mining" those logs to find out for example - your rudders are lose, the boat is slipping sides an abnormal amount (is your dagger board down?) , or the sails are not set correctly, your optimal off wind angle for YOUR boat? Either real time, or after a log is downloaded and analysed?

Seems to me that you have a host of data (GPS + what other sensors?), and that by combining these measurements you might be able to intelligently derive possible issues or problems.

[BOAT]

Can we just get the thing in production and on my boat before we add Microsoft office and windows ME? I just need an AP and my wife is on my back every-time we go out. I'll take it anyway it comes.

[Obelix]

Happy Birthday Victor

Obelix

[BOAT]

Yeah, sorry - HAPPY B-DAY CAPTAIN VICTOR!

[mastreb]

Just to keep kicking a dead horse -- IF you could keep logs of some of the system parameters, do you think there would be any value in "data- mining" those logs to find out for example - your rudders are lose, the boat is slipping sides an abnormal amount (is your dagger board down?) , or the sails are not set correctly, your optimal off wind angle for YOUR boat? Either real time, or after a log is downloaded and analysed?

Seems to me that you have a host of data (GPS + what other sensors?), and that by combining these measurements you might be able to intelligently derive possible issues or problems.

Much simpler to install a rudder position sensor and an NMEA2K data logger to mine that data, because everything you need to know won't flow through just the autopilot.

[Russ]

Can we just get the thing in production and on my boat before we add Microsoft office and windows ME? I just need an AP and my wife is on my back every-time we go out. I'll take it anyway it comes.

+1

All great version 2 ideas above. I'd be thrilled with something that pilots my boat on a relatively straight course.

--Russ

[mrron_tx]

HMMMM.... Missed the part about it Being Victors Birthday Have a great day Victor.... and as My Grandkids say....Don't forget to call the Fire Dept and tell Them before We light the candles Ron.