I don't think anyone understands what I'm trying to say
I currently have a working modern day autopilot that consists of a Simrad nss7, Precision 9
compass, nac3 computer, B&G WS 320 wind sensor,, L&S 63 s t
linear Drive reversible hydraulic
motor
this setup works great and allows me to use the
electric autopilot as a wind vane and has all the other luxuries of a modern autopilot this system can easily steer my cable and quadrant steering setup and it has a built-in bypass valve
now out of everything listed above that my autopilot consists of the L & S 63 is bound to be the most reliable and simple part this system
It works by applying power to the
motor to extend the hydraulic ram and you reverse the wires to
contract the hydraulic ram I could very easily set up a 2-way momentary switch and drive the boat with no steering wheel or cable
now picture just the paddle and pendulum system of a monitor, forget the rudder in the water.
when the wind vane is pointing into the wind and standing straight up there is no power to the
pump
when the wind vane paddle Falls to one side it applies power to the motor which turns the rudder until the wind vane is standing straight up again where the power is disconnected
and obviously it works the same the other way
now what I've done is eliminated the $6,000 worth of complicated, proprietary,
gear that I would normally need to run
electric autopilot in wind vane mode . No need for a wind sensor, compass, plotter
screen , no nac3 power source. . Just a few mechanically activated switches. And maybe a fuse.
I'm sure it would need some calibration and maybe a way to limit the rudder but I think the whole system could consist of only four switches
I picture something about the quarter of the size of a monitor windvane paddle and it could be mounted anywhere that has good airflow like on top of an arch
maybe I'm not explaining it well enough or using the right terminology but someone out there might get it
I know there will be a lot of negative comments but personally I think that the electric hydraulic ram would be more reliable than all the moving
parts of the standard pendulum servo wind vane.
This is also a stand a lone back up to your typical electric autopilot. And I believe could be made very very
cheap and reliable. .