"Sub $600 Autopilot" Progress

[BOAT]

Hi Victor,

My wife and daughter were out on the boat with me on Friday and something happened where I needed to go forward on deck and my wife was below and could not come up at that moment.
My daughter was terrified because she had to steer the boat.
I never really thought about how the autopilot could become a major safety device for me someday just by being someone who can hold the wheel for me while I tend to an emergency.
When my wife came out she really pressed me on getting an autopilot installed. I told her that Victor was working on it as fast as he can. She said she would write you the check herself right there if she could!!

Thanks for the report.

[DaveB]

That's great, from picture it looks like a plate is needed for wires separating circuit board and cut out of frame for wires with rubber water proof gaskets.
When is the date for production?
Dave

Production electronics. Final control box size 4" x 4" x 1.85"

Shown with beta wiring for continued testing.

Delivering to Bill P this afternoon.

Still have software work to complete.

Victor

[vkmaynard]

That's great, from picture it looks like a plate is needed for wires separating circuit board and cut out of frame for wires with rubber water proof gaskets.

Dave I'm not sure what you are pointing out. No plate is ever required in in assembly like this. Additionally this box is mounted inside the console and not exposed to the elements. The wire exit and box will have a simple RTV seal and the PCB coated with a protectant.

Victor

[cptron]

I just hope I get my production tester before I go to the Bahamas in May.
We all need to pray to what ever deity you pray to for good weather. The sooner we get good weather to get out and test these production units the sooner Vic can get them to you. I sure hope he agrees with that statement and hope I am not jumping the gun.

[BOAT]

Hi Victor,

4 by 4 by 2 - that's really nice - as you might recall I was worried about getting the motor and control box into my toothbrush shaped wheelhouse because I was putting a selector switch on the pedestal for my electric bow vent. I installed the switch about 5 inches below the wheel shaft:



I did contact cptron about the location of the switch before I installed it but I guess he did not get my PM. Based on the size of the box it does not look like it will be a problem - and I hope the motor will be okay with the selector switch there. As I recall I think I do need to install an emergency release for the AP and I assumed it would go right next to the Electric Bow Vent Selector Switch I installed.

Thanks for the update - it helps. My wife and I sail alone (just the 2 of us) 99% of the time so it will be a HUGE help for us.

m

[DaveB]

Victor,
Thanks for the explanation, picture isn't sometimes worth a 1000 words and appeared wires were to close to circuit board.
Thanks also on wires exit the panel.
Dave

That's great, from picture it looks like a plate is needed for wires separating circuit board and cut out of frame for wires with rubber water proof gaskets.

Dave I'm not sure what you are pointing out. No plate is ever required in in assembly like this. Additionally this box is mounted inside the console and not exposed to the elements. The wire exit and box will have a simple RTV seal and the PCB coated with a protectant.

Victor

[Ixneigh]

I would pot that in epoxy resin.
Ix

[BOAT]

I would pot that in epoxy resin.
Ix

Ewh!, encapsulated components make sense on transformers or wound parts with a lot of windings but I think it would be nice to be able to get to the components after the fact on something like this. I suppose it's okay but I myself would prefer the lighter weight without it. Hey Ixneigh, do you think there might be a lot of shock vibration on the unit? Perhaps we could mount it on a rubber pad?

I hate to speak for mastreb but if warm weather is what you need I'm sure he or I could accommodate any test beds out here - but really, I think you guys should be all thawed out within a couple of weeks - don't lose hope - the warmer air is on the way.

[vkmaynard]

Dave, I now understand your concern. None of the wires touch the circuit board. That would cause a problem near the FETs. There will be shorter wires in the final units.

We successfully powered up the unit on Bill boat. He will try to test this week.

Victor

[seahouse]

My company manufactured an electronic protective device that had a current draw, when functioning, that was less than the internal discharge current of a 9 volt battery, and therefore very sensitive. We found that when the product was installed under conditions of high humidity (such as saunas, indoor pools), the device would occasionally give a false signal.

The problem was solved by simply dabbing clear fingernail polish across the offending terminals on assembly. Done after soldering when all moisture has been driven off- it was fast, cheap, easy, low skill, dries fast; problem gone. Forever.

While I would not recommend it to someone who is not familiar with PC board components ( careful with relays, switches, voltage regulator heat sinks etc) for longevity I routinely use a light film of silicone spray if I have something apart, and it will be exposed to the environment.

Not directed at you, Vic. Just general info on the topic.

-Brian.

[seahouse]

Yeah Vic - I've seen thin sheets of Mylar used to separate the wires from the board in the case of a vibration- prone environment. But that is would be in through-hole (older) boards where the sharp trimmed leads are exposed on the back of the board.

Since I see there you have SMT boards, it's not needed for that reason. Nice work.

[mastreb]

I'm still trying to talk Vic into selling me just the motor and mechanicals, no trons. Understandably he's got full-price pent-up demand to satisfy, but once he's got inventory we'll see. If it's a two-wire 12VDC motor that changes direction by opposite polarity, the autopilot trons I already have can drive it just fine, and I'll be able to get that donut off my wheel. I just have to characterize the lock-to-lock time at full power and the RayMarine will run it.

I think it would make an excellent low-cost upgrade for the Mac owners that have autopilots already. The admiral doesn't like the noise of the donut and knows Vic's unit is silent.

And I could probably pay for Vic's drive mechanism by ebaying my donut and motor to someone who has broken theirs.

[seahouse]

Yeah - she has a good ear. I always thought the "plasticky gear" sound that the donut makes sounds like it's coming from something WAY less expensive than it is!

[kevinnem]

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.

[vkmaynard]

I routinely use a light film of silicone spray if I have something apart, and it will be exposed to the environment.

Great idea. That may be all that is needed since both the remote and control box will be sealed. No problems with the current unsealed, unprotected beta units that are on or near slat water for the last 1.5 years. The PCB can't be potted because the FETs need air circulation. Also our thermal measuring devices can't be insulated.

We had all the beta testers use the red battery terminal spray on the connectors. It wicks into the wires then thickens up some. Works outstanding for mega years. I've used this on cars and other environmentally sensitive applications for the last 20+ year. Our boat has zero wire corrosion issue for the last 5 years since we rewired and used this technique. My experimental airplane with get the same treatment when finished.

I like the "low skill" comment. Are you implying something?

Thanks for the input,

Victor

Near production remote size difference compared to the beta unit. Pigtail will be replace 3.5 mm jack like the beta unit. This allows for easy cable replacement.