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Cheapest way to get an autopilot...

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Created by JonE 6 months ago, 29 Jun 2024
JonE
VIC, 329 posts
29 Jun 2024 7:49PM
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github.com/pieteroskam/autopilot

This is great. Watch the Youtube for the how-to. Building is incredibly easy and the bluetooth hookup just worked.

I haven't hooked up to the boat yet because my Raymarine is working OK, but I think this project has massive promise.

ESP board was about 15 bucks on ebay - the board I found has 12v input jack. Motor controller was about 10 bucks. The expensive part of the project is the hardware - the bloody IP67 connectors from Jaycar were about 40 bucks and actually I'd probably just keep using the raymarine connectors on the existing ram.

garymalmgren
1227 posts
30 Jun 2024 7:58AM
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Thanks JonE

I have two autopilots (Raymarine and Simrad ) which are dead.
However the motor, gearbox and drive rods are fine.
I will (try to) use this system to get them operational again.
I should be able to fit the control box inside between the switch panel and supply to the pilot.
Then inside the unit have the motor drive wires directly connected to the unit input wires.
I will buy the parts and probably come back to you if I run into something that I don't really understand.
The guy who put this together might be a good engineer but his Youtubes are unbelievably bad.

Gary


JonE
VIC, 329 posts
30 Jun 2024 5:39PM
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No worries Gary - pm me if you get stuck.

Note that out of the box the over-current sense is turned off. I'm trying to get it working at the moment on the bench.



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"Cheapest way to get an autopilot..." started by JonE