Visit our Popular Forums

**sneuman** · 18-09-2015, 04:44

Don't know if this is the right category to post in, but ...

I have an old Aries -- I believe it's the original model, which I've rebuilt with the (very difficult to obtain) rebuild kit. There are two gears that mesh in the heart of the unit, one at the bottom of the up-and-down arm that carries the counterweight and the wind paddle on one end. It gears into the right and left moving piston with the hydropaddle on the other end. The schematic does not show how these two are to meet, but I assume they should be for equal travel in either direction (right or left).

Does anyone know if that's correct?

model 10 · 18-09-2015, 07:10

It does not work out that way exactly. Set it up with equal travel in both directions.

Wrong · 18-09-2015, 07:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneuman

Don't know if this is the right category to post in, but ...

I have an old Aries -- I believe it's the original model, which I've rebuilt with the (very difficult to obtain) rebuild kit. There are two gears that mesh in the heart of the unit, one at the bottom of the up-and-down arm that carries the counterweight and the wind paddle on one end. It gears into the right and left moving piston with the hydropaddle on the other end. The schematic does not show how these two are to meet, but I assume they should be for equal travel in either direction (right or left).

Does anyone know if that's correct?

Is the "old Aries" made of bronze and stainless? Three external gears intermeshing with two vertical control arms about 18" long in opposing sockets?

**sneuman** · 18-09-2015, 07:58

The body is aluminum, with stainless fittings and fasteners (I know, a bad combo). The gears are bronze. It's this one: Aries Standard Vane Gear Technical Illustration

**sneuman** · 22-09-2015, 15:13

I really haven't found an answer to my original question. When I center the gears, the travel on one side (when the paddle is kicked over) is a fair amount more than on the other side. Does anyone have a working Aries that could just look and/or take a picture and post it to let me know how the gearing works?

model 10 · 22-09-2015, 15:43

Don't center the gears, give it equal travel. It's like 1 tooth off center.

Mike OReilly · 22-09-2015, 15:56

Just PMed you sneuman, but ours is the same as Guy's. Our's is not centred, and therefore looks a bit odd. But it still has sufficient travel.

**sneuman** · 23-09-2015, 06:41

Thanks. This helps. Now, is the gear on the shaft cocked to starboard a bit or is the other gear canted when it's installed?

model 10 · 23-09-2015, 07:08

The water rudder is straight and the wind vane gear is off.

Mike OReilly · 23-09-2015, 08:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneuman

Thanks. This helps. Now, is the gear on the shaft cocked to starboard a bit or is the other gear canted when it's installed?

Can't tell you this one from memory and can't find a good pic of my vane (not very photogenic I'm afraid). I'm sure Guy is correct.

**sneuman** · 24-09-2015, 04:28

I think I figured it out. The gear on the shaft needs to have two fewer teeth exposed on the starboard side.

Mike OReilly · 24-09-2015, 07:46

That sounds right to me

.

model 10 · 24-09-2015, 10:02

The final test is with the water rudder full over to a stop, the wind vane full over the other way and checking to see that the wind vane still rotates the rudder shaft. The water rudder does not need to point perfectly straight ahead with the vane in neutral or vise versa. There is enough leeway in it's travel to compensate.