Speaking of Autopilots...found this new remote

[Spector]

Found this the other day. No first hand eperience but just thought I'd put it out there for your thoughts
https://www.i3dgear.com/autobuddy

[sailboatmike]

This is the bloke to see. he is a true sailor of Trailer boats who designed the unit and tested it.

Many many people are using his electronics now and I have never a bad word, in fact all I have heard is rave reviews.

http://www.madmanmarine.com/

[stuendan]

Hi guys,

I'm using the Madmarine remote to control a Raymarine ST2000 attached to the rudder link bar. The down side with this setup is the lack of feedback (everything is below deck) - the Madmarine remote receiver does not provide an audible signal to verify operations, specifically auto/standby switching. Not a big deal given that the unit from 3D doesn't even allow going from auto back to standby from the remote!

ps. The physical connection to the rudder link bar is locked on/off by a solenoid driven indexing pin locating in a small slot cut into bar. When deselected, the link bar is free to slide through the connector. The "locking" solenoid is controlled via a switch on the side of the steering console.

Cheers all

[imgDSC_0211 by Stuart Baylis, on Flickr][/img]

[sailboatmike]

Im sure if you email him he will look into putting a beeper on the remote, thats the benefit of someone that does it for the love of it more than the $$$$ and has the flexibility that the big companies are not interested in offering

[ris]

We went sailing with Flyboytr last October and he made his own remote for the autopilot. Was not pretty but cost less than $20. I think it used a garage door clicker and most components were housed in a 2X4 electrical outlet box. Maybe he will post and let you know how he did it

[Seapup]

I'm using the Madmarine remote to control a Raymarine ST2000 attached to the rudder link bar

Awesome Thats pretty slick. I have heard quite a few mentions of using the ST tillerpilots but that is the first install I have actually seen.

I think it used a garage door clicker and most components were housed in a 2X4 electrical outlet box. Maybe he will post and let you know how he did it

I have pondered electric gate openers since they look almost identical to a tillerpilot, made for outdoor use and even come with a remote.



For heading control I considered a lego ev3 robotics cpu and compass sensosr. They can be easily programmed to follow a compass heading and controlled via remote on bluetooth phone app.



Then spring always came and I went sailing instead

[Spector]

Hi guys,

the unit from 3D doesn't even allow going from auto back to standby from the remote!

Bad idea from a safety standpoint. You shouldn't be able to disengage from the remote. This prevents accidental disengagement and ensures you're at the helm when its disengaged.