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Hi Doug. Yes, I have 4 Minnkota 101 motors, and the controllers that go
with them. The controllers have a little knob on them, and if you turn it one
way it's forward, and the other way is reverse.
The joystick arrangement ( haven't made them yet) is set up so there's a
small gear on the controller shaft, and a partial ring gear on the bottom of the
joystick. Neutral is of course in the middle. I've seen the gears I need in a
hobby shop here. The joysticks and box etc. I'll make out of stainless, because
I want to be able to move the motor control box with 4 joysticks around inside
the sub, and be able to stand up to drive with the hatch open. I don't have a
tower with windows, so docking will be easier standing up with my head
sticking out. ( although I can see pretty good forward, can't see beside or
backward while seated.)
The two stern motors are fixed, with only forward/reverse. With the two
joysticks side by side I will be able to push them both forward or back, or
move one each way separately. Steering is by rudders on the outflow end of the
motors, and additional ''fins'' all connected together, and operated by a
hydraulic slave cylinder.
The side motors are also forward/reverse but are mounted on a swivel
mechanism also controlled/positioned by slave cylinders.(one each motor)
Most traveling will be with the stern motors, but additional speed/power
can be applied thru the side motors. Additionally, the motors can be set in a
vertical position and by applying forward or reverse power to them, move up or
down. The side motors are mounted at the center of the hull length
wise, and with dive planes attached to the motor mounts, will help facilitate up
down movement. I have a sketch on frappr of the side motors and
attached dive planes. At first I plan to move ballast inside the sub to
change angle, ( sliding the seats forward and back) but I may need to add
movement to the drop weight for angle of dive changes if that proves to be less
than required. Also, the horizontal/vertical position of the side motors is
adjustable within a 120 degree arc, so smaller changes in depth can be
accomplished while traveling. I may add some dive planes to the stern later if
it proves necessary, again controlled by slave cylinder.
The sketch of the sub on frappr doesn't show the rudders on the stern, but
the rear fins are shown.
Here's a link to the side motor sketch. I'll put up a sketch of the
joysticks when they're made.
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