[PSUBS-MAILIST] Speed controllers

[Jon Wallace via Personal_Submersibles]

Tractor control.  This is one of the reasons I selected the Roboteq 
controllers, they are programmable in the same way. Roboteq provides a 
freeware GUI interface with tons of options for programming the control 
of two motors based upon input parameters.  I will be using joysticks 
instead of foot pedals but I think this is appropriate for a K-sub.

Jon


On 4/20/2016 7:50 PM, Cliff Redus via Personal_Submersibles wrote:
> Alan, I use a foot control from OEM controls. This is a 
> hall effect potentiometer made for mobile heavy equipment.  It is very 
> beefy. http://www.oemcontrols.com/datasheets/hfp4.pdf is a link to the 
> unit.  I am using model number HFP4M17445. This a heavy duty 
> commercial grade foot control.  The version I have sends a 0-5vdc 
> signal with the 2.5V as the neutral position, 5V for full forward and 
> 0v for full reverse.  I have really been happy with the unit.  Feels 
> rock solid.  I take the signal into my PLC on an analog input 
> channel.  I have some ladder logic that enable me to integrate both 
> the foot control signal and the rotation axis of my 3 axis joy stick 
> control to both aft horizontal thrusters.   If the joy still rotary 
> axis is in neutral position, then both aft thrusters get the same 
> signal such that the more forward you push on the foot control the 
> more forward thrust, the faster you go.  When you push down with your 
> heal the thrusters reverse proportional to the how far back you tilt 
> the foot control. This gives me great forward/reverse and 
> control. When the joy stick is rotated in a clockwise manner, in PLC 
> ladder logic I start increasing the speed of the port aft horizontal 
> thruster and decreasing the speed of the starboard aft thruster.  This 
> enables me at speed to turn to the starboard side. Rotating the 
> joystick in the counter clockwise direction caused the boat to turn 
> the port side.  If the foot control is in the neutral position, 
> then rotating the joy stick rotates the boat about its center of 
> gravity.  I have really been happy with how much control this gives at 
> any speed.
>
> Now on the negative side, the foot controller is expensive at $328. I 
> am sure with a little looking you could find one that does the same 
> thing at a reduced cost.
>