OpenCPN and PYpilot how ?

[mobbesendk]

Hello there.

Im new to openCPN.

I have a slightly old autopilot in my boat - a Timco Ap110.
A Danish pilot

It works perfectly fine, but i would like to make it work with the openCPN software.

The problem is, that there are no NMEA0183 junction box on it .

When it was new, it was an option to bye, but its discontinued and no longer an option .

On the controller there is an other output called "navigator" it has 7 terminals called "GWRNABQ".

Anyone who knows how to translate that or has an idea to make it work with and multiplexer or other way to make it work with openCPN and PYpilot ?

Thanks

Kristoffer

[stevead]

First thing to be aware of is that PyPilot would potentially replace your existing Timco AP110 and MS112 Motor Controller. Assuming that PyPilot has the electrical capacity (Average & Peak current), PyPilot would connect directly to your existing autopilot hydraulic pump/clutch.

The second thing is, and I apologize for my lack of Danish, but could the labels for the 7 terminals on your AP110 "GWRNABQ" simply be the colours of the wires that emerge from the Timco INT112 NMEA 0183 interface?

Presumably the navigator input is proprietary to the AP110, and possibly analogue rather than digital, therefore it is extremely unlikely that you can connect the AP110 to anything other than a INT112 NMEA 0183 interface. If it is obsolete, perhaps Timco have some New Old Stock (NOS) or an alternative solution, or you may be able to find used items on ebay.

Good luck.

[sv_isara]

Also be aware of this resource where Sean himself posts regularly. However if you figure it out there, let us know here too!

https://forum.openmarine.net/forumdisplay.php?fid=17

I have now sailed from Portland OR to halfway up Baja with this amazing computer (and his motor controller). Has steered in 20' waves downwind and with a boat that spins like a top - and has done a brilliant job.

[Hakan]

Originally Posted by mobbesendk

On the controller there is an other output called "navigator" it has 7 terminals called "GWRNABQ".

Anyone who knows how to translate that or has an idea to make it work with and multiplexer or other way to make it work with openCPN and PYpilot ?

Kristoffer..
I suppose this gadget works with analog, voltage or mA, signals on he "navigator" port instead of NMEA0183. So the interface box INT112 is converting the AP-output from e.g. OCPN into there own signals. The supported NMEA messages of the INT112 are what OCPN transfers when activating a route. The easiest would be to try to get such a interface somewhere. Or convince the Danes to disclose how they programmed the interface and have someone to do it for you?

Or rebuilt and use the existing pump as of Steven's advice.

[rgleason]

I recently purchased a medium power Motor Controller from Sean for a very reasonable price (it has a 20 amp fuse in it and is rated for 15 amps continuous, I believe). I also purchased Sean's Pypilot Tinypilot Autopilot Controller, with two remotes, one powered and another battery operated. The total cost was about $300. (My RM Control fried after being immersed 3 times in 30 years.)

I had difficulties getting it setup with the 30 yr old Raymarine Wheelpilot (my own mistake switching power wires) but did get it mostly calibrated and working nicely on the wheelpilot, just before hauling the boat for winter. This setup is remarkable. I can control the autopilot from my android cell phone (using the Pypilot web app, or using Opencpn) or either of the two remotes. I can connect to it using Opencpn on my Surface Pro 3 and calibrate and control the AP from within Opencpn.

There are standard gain setups which generally work for various conditions, but these can also be adjusted by the user for specific conditions. Very few AP's have such access to all of the gains and settings to adjust to sea state and wind. Additionally, Sean has provided saving of "Profiles" for specific sail, sea states and wind conditions. These "Profiles" can be recalled and edited or used. If you are looking for practical and thoughtful software, remote control, and solid (not fancy) electronics, I think you'll appreciate his equipment.

I have a few questions for Sean about how to set the stops when tacking,etc. which I will get resolved this winter, but I am looking forward to using his Motor Controller and Tinypilot with a much higher power Jefa LD100 mechanical linear drive which I am hoping will drive our boat in all conditions.

https://pypilot.org/autopilots/

Pilot Tinypilot Autopilot

Mid-power motor controller

Control Panel

I see that "Shop" has a 404 not found message right now.
You can try the OpenMarine shop here
https://shop.openmarine.net/home/28-...ontroller.html



PS: I believe that Sean's software and the right size MC will power your drive nicely.

[rgleason]

I just saw this thread Are Py Pilots available, and if so why is the shop down?

[sv_isara]

Originally Posted by rgleason

I recently purchased a medium power Motor Controller from Sean for a very reasonable price (it has a 20 amp fuse in it and is rated for 15 amps continuous, I believe). I also purchased Sean's Pypilot Tinypilot Autopilot Controller, with two remotes, one powered and another battery operated. The total cost was about $300. (My RM Control fried after being immersed 3 times in 30 years.)

I had difficulties getting it setup with the 30 yr old Raymarine Wheelpilot (my own mistake switching power wires) but did get it mostly calibrated and working nicely on the wheelpilot, just before hauling the boat for winter. This setup is remarkable. I can control the autopilot from my android cell phone (using the Pypilot web app, or using Opencpn) or either of the two remotes. I can connect to it using Opencpn on my Surface Pro 3 and calibrate and control the AP from within Opencpn.

There are standard gain setups which generally work for various conditions, but these can also be adjusted by the user for specific conditions. Very few AP's have such access to all of the gains and settings to adjust to sea state and wind. Additionally, Sean has provided saving of "Profiles" for specific sail, sea states and wind conditions. These "Profiles" can be recalled and edited or used. If you are looking for practical and thoughtful software, remote control, and solid (not fancy) electronics, I think you'll appreciate his equipment.

I have a few questions for Sean about how to set the stops when tacking,etc. which I will get resolved this winter, but I am looking forward to using his Motor Controller and Tinypilot with a much higher power Jefa LD100 mechanical linear drive which I am hoping will drive our boat in all conditions.

https://pypilot.org/autopilots/

Pilot Tinypilot Autopilot

Mid-power motor controller

Control Panel

I see that "Shop" has a 404 not found message right now.
You can try the OpenMarine shop here
https://shop.openmarine.net/home/28-...ontroller.html



PS: I believe that Sean's software and the right size MC will power your drive nicely.

I'm no tech genius but FWIW I set the overload setting high enough to not trip during stormy conditions but otherwise as low as possible. Forget the exact name of the setting. Max current or something like that. Before doing that I heard some not very nice breaking sounds from my hydraulic linear actuator mounting screws. Those things can deliver a lot of torque!
At some point I want to install the sensors for a 'wheel stop'

[rgleason]

Yes, Sean has a provision for stop sensors, an also supports a rudder sensor.
Additionally, if you don't have those you should make sure that the rudder routine he has provided to set the degree offsets to port and starboard are set properly.



I am not quite sure how to do this yet.

[Coquina]

Originally Posted by rgleason

I just saw this thread Are Py Pilots available, and if so why is the shop down?

FYI
https://pcnautic.com/en/product-cate...ilot-autopilot


These are all based on the PyPilot.

[rgleason]

Originally Posted by Coquina

FYI
https://pcnautic.com/en/product-cate...ilot-autopilot

These are all based on the PyPilot.

Yes, I think they are good quality, but I think they are over priced. I would support Sean's version, when it becomes available again.

[Coquina]

Originally Posted by rgleason

Yes, I think they are good quality, but I think they are over priced. I would support Sean's version, when it becomes available again.

When it was available he would not sell it to Americans, so unless that changes you'll need a foreign address to send it to.

[rgleason]

I am unaware of the facts related to that statement. Sorry, but it does not sound plausible.

[Coquina]

Originally Posted by rgleason

I am unaware of the facts related to that statement. Sorry, but it does not sound plausible.

I was going to buy a motor controller and found out at the time they would not ship to the USA.
At the time this was on their site:


Yes my order backlog is still too long and since I was unlawfully arrested without committing a crime, only accused of breaking a park rule that turned out not to even exist in key west florida and abused and tortured then let out of private jail a week later without any criminal charges I decided to stop shipping orders to the united states for a while to help free up some of my time.
I am working on trying to sue the key west police and if I succeed I will be able to ship orders to the united states again but I already have more than enough orders from people in europe at the moment to keep me busy. I am trying to develop new products so it helps to have more time for that.


Maybe the Key West issue was resolved, but now they don't have any at all. PCNAUTIC does though.
https://forum.openmarine.net/showthr...+west#pid28270


Maybe that is all over now?

[rgleason]

Originally Posted by Coquina

I was going to buy a motor controller and found out at the time they would not ship to the USA.
At the time this was on their site:
...

Maybe the Key West issue was resolved, but now they don't have any at all. PCNAUTIC does though.
https://forum.openmarine.net/showthr...+west#pid28270


Maybe that is all over now?

Yes, I remember that event. Sean described it to me. That was a long time ago... years. Sorry about that, but Sean was being targeted.