CATAMARAN 1/20th MODEL - RUDDERS

As part of the extensive development of Solar Navigator, the drivetrain was operated through a pair of Hitec speed controllers and a signal mixer, to give variable track steering on one radio control lever.  Due to the voltage characteristics of the controller mosfets, a lot of power simply wasn't getting through.

The answer was to take the controllers out of the equation.  This meant fitting rudders to replace the  steering effect and switches to provide forward and reverse control.  To save weight, the rudders were also fabricated in aluminium.  Unless you have micro TIG welding plant, you might want to try Multicore's lead-tin-silver solder, available as an RS stock item.  It is expensive, but it works (on low silicon low magnesium alloys only).  A Hitec servo operates the tiller arm via a stainless steel pushrod of 1.2mm diameter. 

Rudders fabricated from .8mm alloy sheet & 3mm welding rods

Around 40 solar panels, 20 per wing, will eventually power the final vessel.  This is a significant increase on the solar panel area of the first 1/20th catamaran model, which generated a measly 6 watts from 10 panels.  The drive-train consists of 2 Swiss made Maxon DC motors running through a 2:1 reduction box, coupled by a universal joint, to a 2.4mm stainless steel driveshaft (not shown) and finally to a 57.5mm diameter propeller.

Nylon bushes were press fitted into the rudder stock 

A new lightweight aluminium spaceframe is under construction to join the catamaran hulls, replacing the upvc sections and also saving 150 grams.  The Sun Tracker system is to be incorporated in the model for the first time, to ensure maximum energy collection.

It is hoped the combined technology will allow us to set model speed and endurance records (beat our own records) in the near future as part of our development of the full size vessel.

Healthier alternative tastes for adventure capitalists

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