AutoHelm (Custom) - Help Needed

[cbrooks999]

Hi All;

I'm looking to build a custom auto-helm for my boat and I need assistance with the motor drive.

The way it's all going to work is that I'm writing an app on my PC that will detect the current compass heading vs. the intended head and drive a motor(s) to change the steering direction of the boat.

The current setup is a rack/pinion steering through a long heavy cable. This connects to a mechanical slide bar with approx 16" of travel. This controls the left/right steering. There is a hydraulic power steering system and I'm not sure if that can be utilized as part of the solution or not. See

http://www.justanswer.com/boat/3x5ca-5-7-mercruiser-1995-started-power-steering.html

I'm thinking the easiest way would be a single motor to drive a shaft left and right - perhaps a worm gear. However the challenge is I still need to be able to steer the boat through the steering wheel when the auto-helm is OFF. It would be preferred for the drive shaft to HOLD the steering in place when the motor is not turning so that waves won't push the helm off course but is not a deal breaker if this makes it too complex.

Please keep in mind that although "handy" and well versed in general electronics, my parts sources will be more common place such as Princess Auto etc. etc.

Any suggestions are sincerely appreciated.

Chris

 

[MikeHalloran]

Screw all that downstream stuff.
Just add a torque motor to the steering wheel.


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[cbrooks999]

Thanks. That is one option I thought of - access to the steering wheel is tight at best and I'd rather not have an exposed unit on the outside if possible - cosmetic perspective.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Look at the other end of the pinion, beyond the rack.


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[cbrooks999]

Came up with a solution. Turns out I have a spare rack/pinion complete set - I can setup a motor drive on that.

thanks!!!