Autopilot for small power boat

Posted by Zeljko Vincic on November 5, 2015 at 2:29am

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
- 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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Replies

    • Darius Jack > Zeljko Vincic November 6, 2015 at 4:23am

      Oh, I see.

      You mean CPT Autopilot

      http://www.cptautopilot.com/features.php

      This project resembles me DIY electric bike.

      Problem is the clutch, motor and toothed drive belt

      in case you have plans to build real navigation autopilot system.

      Video features preset course following, not really complicated.

      I have to contact my friend, professional sailor for advice and interest

      to build such power steering system.

      Price tag is < $2,000

      What is your target cost (hardware, motor , DIY electronics all inclusive) ?

      I hope we are ready with alike system within one month's time.

      darius

      manta103G@gmail.com

      Features of the CPT Autopilot - CPT Autopilot Inc.
    • Zeljko Vincic > Darius Jack November 6, 2015 at 5:19am

      Mechanical parts I finished, I made the clutch on the model of the CPT but I was a bit improved.
      CPT clutch:

      http://i.imgur.com/69PJ5rR.jpg

      My clutch:

      http://i.imgur.com/akB8Ve7.jpg

      Live it looks like this:

      http://i.imgur.com/tJ0Spub.jpg

      http://i.imgur.com/3OB9QaW.jpg

    • Fred R > Zeljko Vincic January 6, 2016 at 10:12am

      Hi Zeljko and Darius,

      Just curious how it's going. Did you guys figure it out how to implement the mode Zeljko described?

      Here's the mode I have thought for boats (maybe useful for rovers also) but Zeljko's mode is pretty close though:

      - 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


      Would be really grateful if anyone could help to implement that. Thanks beforehand.


      Regards
      Fred

    • Darius Jack > Zeljko Vincic November 6, 2015 at 4:35pm

      Reply button removed.

      Pls email me

      darius

      manta103g@gmail.com

    • Zeljko Vincic > Zeljko Vincic November 6, 2015 at 9:59am

      Darius Jack, thank you. I have finished the mechanics as you can see. I tried to make control by Atmel AVR microcontroller (otherwise it's my job but the other area) but that is still too much in terms of hobby project. In the end I found ardupilot and I use it all settled by the end.

    • Darius Jack > Zeljko Vincic November 6, 2015 at 9:48am

      My congratulations,

      it looks like your project is almost completed.

  • Zeljko Vincic November 5, 2015 at 3:40am

    Now I see that there is Arda Boat group and I will repeat the post there. Please moderator to delete this.

This reply was deleted.