Autopilot for small power boat

Hello everyone!
I have a small powerboat and want to make the autopilot to sail.
I ordered APM 2.6 with a local retailer,
The idea is the following:
- Control only over the compass, so take a course manually and then run the autopilot to keep it
- Control must be +1, -1, +10, -10 degrees for course correction
- Display for the course and heading
- Engine at the helm over the belt
- Rudder angle sensor as feedback
- GPS just as an option, I think that I will never need or if it already exists as a possibility, why not?
Slightly collect materials and opinions so I will inform the group about the progress and so will be free to ask some questions.
Calm sea!

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  • Today finally everything is working properly (winter was long ...). Software I completely rearranged, solve problems with power supply, all mounted the the boat and set sail in a straight line. A little correction PID parameters and everything went smoothly despite the strong side wind and waves.
    The film follows tomorrow, today I was busy testing that I taped so here's just a picture of the mechanics on my boat.

    http://www.igreklik.com/slike/images/13632988153325892472.jpg

    • Congratulations Zeljko! Great work.

      Hopefully you will show us the video and tell about your initial impressions. Thank you.

      Regards
      Fred

  • So it's time to develop alike drive in support of autopilot in a boat.

    I was afraid of your solution, exposing hands of operator to open toothed belt in move.

    Closed, none-belt solution, known from scooter starter's gear.

    Autopilot drive by AG Leader is smart, motor is flat, like in direct drive
    motors.

    Get pinion gear made of 2 parts, mounted to the shaft and motor with gear
    and servo clutch and outer lock to fix the drive case.

    Can you calculate the diameter of your pinion gear for your none-belt solution ?
    • My plan is to close the belt in the plastic housing. So do other manufacturers who make similar systems.
      Autopilot from your link is ok but too much mechanical parts for my opportunities.
      The rest do not really understand - a small pulley is 5 cm and the great 25th

      My next step is to join the hydraulic pump and valve control, the system is being tested.

      Now I prepare deleted photos, I realized that the missing :) By the way I will put a few new ...

  • Hi Zeljko,

    I could not agree more with your feature request. I just added it to the Arduboat feature wish list and defined it this way:

    - automatic navigation is done according to compass reading (not by GPS)
    - automatic navigation can be overrun by manual steering at any time, but the moment the steering stick is returned to the center position the heading by compass at that moment is fixed and automatic navigation will hold that heading
    - speed control is manual

    How it's going? Have you found any solution to the compass navigation?

    Regards,
    Fred

    • Hi all,

      @Zeljko,

      excellent Autopilot solution for you by

      OnTack3 Assisted Steering by AG Leader

      http://www.agleader.com/products/guidance-steering/ontrac3/

      You can watch videos on Youtube.

      BTW.

      My earlier inputs to this thread are lost

      Anything wrong ?

    • I dont't know Darius, moderators clear some posts, why???

      This pilot on your video is toy. Not bad but note useful for the boat.

    • None of my previous in this thread present.

      What video do you mean ?

      Just preview web page to the bottom.

      This is highly professional power steering technology to work for powerful

      farm tractor.

      I buy it.

      For video just enter "OnTrack3 AG Leader" into YouTube

    • Sorry, I was too fast in the review. This is the right thing for this purpose!

This reply was deleted.