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Hello Alan. My side mount electric linear actuators travel through a 120
degree arc. It goes from straight vertical to 30 degrees down. With the
forward/reverse capability of the Minnkota motors it should give me the ability
to hover, move straight up and down in the water column, and of course maneuver
left and right in close quarters. The side actuators are controlled separately
so it is possible to angle one down and the other up, making it possible
to accomplish " banked " turns with or without supplying power to the side
thrusters.
The rear actuator has the same arc which positions the motor mounts/rudder
assemblies for a relatively tight turning radius. The two side-by-side
assemblies are tied together so they rotate in tandem, although the motor supply
for each rear thruster is separate so it's possible to power the motors one
forward/one reverse.
I don't expect to use this option much but actual testing in the water will
prove how useful this is.
The purpose of having completely separate circuits, battery banks,
fuse blocks, controllers, thru-hulls, etc. for each motor ( 4 ) is to isolate
each motor circuit completely in case a problem should develop in any one
circuit. This is in keeping with the " redundancy" approach to having a back-up
system available where ever possible.
As far as the indicator for dive plane and rudder position, I'm leaning
toward using Vance's idea of a strictly mechanical system of cables and
indicator arrows placed in front of the view ports. It eliminates a whole
electrical circuit system for three actuators with the associated wiring,
lights, fuses, and thru-hulls required for an electrical position indication.
The cables will all be covered safely under the fiberglass fairings and with
nothing more than a shot of grease, should be reliable and low
maintenance.
Frank D.
Frank D.
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