Poor mans perfect pass? cruise control

Corey, where you been........
I built and installed a system on my boat that after the bugs were worked out is "PERFECT".............
Do a search on "redneck perfect pass"
It will tell of some of the issues and solutions to the problems encountered.
It is a RPM based system that holds well, with the added feature of speed up or down at 75 rpm bumps............Boat dr

CCS100?
http://www.brandsplace.com/0002-ccs100.html

what kills the CC when i fall?
does the driver just mash the throttle and it stops accelerating at the desired rpm/speed?

whats the sequence the driver does as shes pulling me out of the water?

ok thanks. cause your pretty vaige in your posts lol
just want to make sure this thing is right for me and exactly how it works.

I was checking into the feasibility of using a Nordskog GPS speed sensor to drive an analog speedometer when the good Doc was working on his RNPP.

In theory, it should work fine if the unit pulses can be matched. For instance, the Nordskog sensor will output 8000 or 16000 pulses per mile. If that is in the general pulse range of the CCS100, it should work great.

The "RPM control system" that Billy used senses RPM based off a hall effect sensor that is triggered by magnets mounted on the shaft coupling. The control module for this unit simply modulates the throttle to maintain actual RPM equal to the RPM setpoint (speed setpoint).

There should be really no difference if the pulses are coming from the RPM hall effect sensor or a GPS speed indicator.

I'd love to try and sort this out, but my GPS analog speedo project hinges on a ebay find for the speedo. I'll document the project when I dive into it. I doubt I'll incorporate the speed control as my foot throttle is not spring return (set it and forget it).

I have some fact sheets on the GPS speed sensor if anyone wants them.

If I got any facts on the CCS100 wrong, please correct me.

Very cool. I don't really care what the speed is, just that it holds steady. Also, if you wanted to know the exact speed, you could also just use a hand held GPS.

But, for a grand total of just under $400, that is a sweet deal, if we could make it work. I am going to have to look into this a bit more, maybe enlist some help at work. Let me know if you make any progress, Steve, and I will do the same.

Thanks for the info.

Adam

Steve,tried to call you today. Have a question as to the install of the Gps unit on my Redneck Perfect Pass.
I have got the system working to my satisfaction, but a little tweaking is still in order.
I also have an issue as to where the receiver would mount.I assume it is line of site as with my satellite radio.Had a time hiding the thing so it did not look obvious.
Boat dr

azeus17,a hand held GPS unit will do the job.As to disengage the unit simply bump the throttle.Same feature as using this system on a man. shift car.It will sense an over rev situation and "kick it out"
Also by simply turning it off at the panel. The resume feature is what I really like, but it will not work from a dead stop in the water,1000 rpm min. engage.
Have a call into Raindog now to find out how this can be modified or not. That would be too cool, kinda like "PLUG AND PLAY"................Boat dr

Eric, I did that mod last year.You musta had your head up your as# and did not see the post???? Sometimes I forget your address...
Well so much for me thinking you read all the posts on this site....
Call if you want details and costs involved in the install..........Boat dr

what about brakes?

eric lavine wrote: the best question i get is, what kind of torque converter do these boats have and its asked pretty often

I had a good one the other day too! I was asked why they don't use a hybrid (gas engine/electric motor) in a boat like they do the cars. Hopefully my explanation of the motor braking and regen principle sunk in!!!

Working to solve issue just like in original post. $5k boat. Not investing $1500 in PP.
Near impossible to find driver who can keep speed constant.

Talked with colleague who can invest some time/skills into developing a basic system. Based on Arduino platform, with proper coding to turn it into a speed control system. May look and feel similar to Perfect pass, but solely for keeping constant speed.   Allthou misc data like temp/rpm/time can be shown.

Wonder if any interest?

Current plan is to have a kit, that is installable by a normal handy person, some filing/drilling may be requried.
With GPS only speed input, and external antenna - kit is pencelling out around $200.
Kit can

Keep in mind you are adding a cruise control which in my opinion will not be precise enough for the course. When Billy built his, it was his intention since with his foot throttle, his leg and foot was getting tired!

Thank you all for replies, this helps.   I will give it a try to make this kit available at around $200. Good reason to design proper board, vs a spider net of wires I have now.
By no means it will be a competitor to PP or RS, rather aiming at segment of boaters like us, the $5k crowd:)

8122pbrainard - my goal is to have a precise control. Down to 0.5mph.
However! adjusting of PID coefficients will likely be requried for each specific boat.
Or maybe not. I yet have to water test it.
So far it works fine on the bench.

Bri892001 - thanks for the link! but i'd be ashamed of myself to work on decade+ old solution.

I envision mine much closer to Stargazer, but without complications like skis-slalom-magnet-corses-whateverelse there is, that i won't ever use.

I will greatly appreciate advise and evaluations of what I have.
I torn apart my old speedo (as it was dead anyway) and plan to assemble kit into it. Looking for source of new cans/cases like that - it would be much nicer, vs in a plain box with the planned kit - help appreciated here!!

Here is what I have at the monent. Unit picks up speed from pc fan, which is controlled thru a pot, which in turn is driven by servo, controlled by my unit.
Speed->Unit->servo->pot->fan (closed loop)

Display is live, it is not just a mock up picture. RPM is not hooked up. Servo line - shows amount of de-throttling. 198 number is my debug value.
At this moment i'm strugging to have GPS and paddlewheel pickup work accurate at the same time (may have to choose ither/or). WTR temperature will measure at paddlewheel, but now is showing temperature inside enclosure (VR is running hotter that i'd like). Voltage - is your boat battery. Time is from GPS. Main speed is in center, used for control Secondary speed at upper left - for reference, would be interesting to see how they differ upstream vs downstream.
Single knob control, to adjust set speed, turn it off, and enter menu with coefficients.

What do you think?
Im also open to ideas what may be usefull to add.

Dmitry,
I'm impressed. You sure have done a great job with designing the system. I wish I had a better in depth knowledge of PID to help but I; have a feeling you will overcome the minor issues. As you mention, I'd say the second input from the paddle wheel and then some parameter adjustments will get you even closer to an already fantastic result.

How about a picture of the servo/stepper on the engine? I'm curious as to whats on that end as well as it's drive.

Since I don't have better place with people who care, Another question - would you prefer dashboard unit like above, or to use Android phone to show speed and control setpoint?

In that case, android will communicate with computing unit by bluetooth.


I have launched small free web site, which interested people can bookmark, and watch for updates (even RSS is available for blog!).
Please keep me company! SteadyPass
ps you can guess by the name - i am inspired by both PP and RS :)