No such thing

[Cane Pole]

I scouted about the world to buy as simple yaw indicator for my boat. No such animal exists, so I made my own.

I needed to know engine position relative to the boat so I wouldn't have to constantly be looking back or over correcting the steering. A true steering indicator.

I purchased a cheap auto voltmeter from parts store and removed the lens. I had to cut around the bezel with a Dremel tool to remove the meter movement because the voltmeter is mechanically sealed and cannot be disassembled. In other words a throw away from China.

I used the 8 to 18 voltage range of the meter and built a voltage follower circuit to follow the voltage from a trimmer potentiometer internal to the linear actuator that steers the main engine on my boat.

The position of the red needle pointer will represent the position of the engine relative to center.

The circuit works fine. I will paint the face of the voltmeter and remove the voltage numbers.

I will also be adding a tachometer, so I will build a instrument panel that swings out of my way when not in use.

Fun project. Spent most of the day around boat shops, just looking and thinking and "justa swingin".

[Cray]

The Mad Scientist at work again

[Don G]

Tom, I will come and show you.

[Shellback]

Could you have adapted a trim indicator for your purpose? Maybe not enough movement in a trim sending unit to allow for the range of steering. I know a Yamaha motor I had, the sending unit was just a micro switch with a lever on it. Your Mercury harness may even have wires dedicated for a trim gauge.

[Cane Pole]

I could have used a trim gauge. Both indicators are galvanometers. My circuit would have worked with either. The voltmeter cost 16 bucks and was local and had parameters (8-18) written on the face. The numbers made it easy to calculate the voltage dividers.

[Cane Pole]

Just ordered this panel to make my instrument panel. Make it easy on myself.

52mm Universal Triple Dash Gauge Pod Mount Holder | eBay

[clfarms1]

cane pole its just a shame that you arent a little more handy at doing stuff. You have more talent in your little finger than most everyone else on here put together. I loved seeing your new rig at pickwick and meeting you.

[Cane Pole]

cane pole its just a shame that you arent a little more handy at doing stuff. You have more talent in your little finger than most everyone else on here put together. I loved seeing your new rig at pickwick and meeting you.

Always great to meet new c.comers. I enjoyed it.

I am blessed to have had my work as my hobby.

[Billbob]

get ready will be there