Veron Veronica and Radio Control

[Alan LathamParticipant @alanlatham99319]

I started building this boat so long ago that I can't remember when. It's never been afloat although substantially finished apart from the radio control which was never a part of the original kit.

I have bought a Planet TS2 + 2 2.4GHz a £10 sail winch and a servo for the rudder. I have fitted it out and the rudder is working ok. The sail winch is fitted midship with a single line to the end of the boom. The problem I have encountered is that the servo goes back to its home position as soon as I let go of the gimbal. This lets the main sheet run out. That's ok when running down wind but not so good for beating. I need a servo that stops where it is moved to!!

Any help welcome.

[Alan LathamParticipant @alanlatham99319]

Lifelong project

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Alan

By "letting go of the gimbal" do you mean that the Tx stick is spring-loaded to its centre point? If so then the solution is easy – remove the back of the Tx case and change the self-centring spring to a ratchet. Only 'continuous rotation' servos will carry on moving when the stick is stationary. Net cost is nothing.

Dave M

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Alan. The 2+2 has two extra channels. The knob one (top left) may be just the thing, as it will stay at whatever position you leave it in.

Ashley

[Alan LathamParticipant @alanlatham99319]

Dave and Ashley thanks for the information, I will investigate and let you know how I get on.

Alan

[Malcolm FraryParticipant @malcolmfrary95515]

Modern sail winches are proportional, they position themselves according to the position of the controlling stick. This is why most yotties prefer to use a ratchet stick for the sail control. Saves wear and tear on the left thumb.

If the rotary knob that Ashley mentioned is a proportional channel, it will do the job OK.

Using a single line usually means having an elastic line tensioner to ensure that the unwinding drum does not leave a pile of slack line which will tie itself round anything available. Unshrouded drums wrap the line under the drum, shrouded ones find other things to tie the line to.

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Yes the knob should be ok, it appears to be simply a rotary “stick” that holds its place.

Ashley

[Alan LathamParticipant @alanlatham99319]

I went for Ashley's suggestion and switched to channel 4. It is doing the job on the bench. I wondered what the extra 2 channels might be used for.

I might try a ratchet solution one day but a bit concerned about voiding the warranty.

I have a shrouded winch and it is working quite well on the bench. I know from my dinghy sailing days that main sheets can get caught up in all manner of places. better have a think about that one. My rudder controls are above deck because radio control was an afterthought. Maybe a housing?

Alan

[Tim RoweParticipant @timrowe83142]

Hi Alan

Can you show us some photos.

I am a big fan of model sailing yachts.

Tim R

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

To be honest, I'm not sure just how much the warranties are worth on budget radio gear from China. They are usually reliable enough though. If you bought from someone like Howes Models you would have some recourse but spares are not always available.

Colin

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

A stick ratchet set is available via Perkins' outlets Planet TS 2+2 ratchet set. Fitting one should therefore be within the terms of the warranty. I bought a TS2+2 for a SLEC Police Launch – it's a nice little radio for a model boat and the two additional controls would be useful for say lights and a winch servo or davits. One is proportional via a rotary knob and the other is a 3-position switch.

I remember once having a used car warranty described to me as "concrete". The salesman then said "that means it's valid as long as it stays on our forecourt…"

Dave M

[Alan LathamParticipant @alanlatham99319]

[Alan LathamParticipant @alanlatham99319]

Not sure why it has rotated.

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

It is the way your camera has encoded the image data I'm afraid.

Colin

[Alan LathamParticipant @alanlatham99319]

[Alan LathamParticipant @alanlatham99319]

It's ok with a landscape photo; the first was portrait.

[Alan LathamParticipant @alanlatham99319]

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