Re: [Microtransat] servo life expectancy

Coincidentally, I uploaded a video of the rudder mechanism on my test hull, earlier this week. It’s here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c7Lf-GDQk0

I chose a stepper motor and 3D-printed gearing for this boat. The up-side is the stepper controller can current-limit which means if something hits the rudder, it slips instead of shearing gears (or shaft attachments). The down-side is it constantly consumes current, unlike a servo arrangement. For the MegaMOOP, I’m using a gear and worm-screw arrangement, which will consume less power, but doesn’t have the electric slip-clutch.

Paul, the MegaMOOP is coming along, slowly. I hope to have it skinned in the next week or two if I get a chance.

In terms of the discussion around a forum versus a mailing list, etc, I have no complaints with the current system. Postings are sporadic but that’s OK too. I’m a member of a separate group and Google Groups sends me a summary email rather than the actual postings. I’m sure that’s a configuration option, but I can’t find it. The summary is annoying because I can read an email on my phone even out of coverage, but emails which just show the first sentence and a link need Internet access, and never seem to be as readable on a browser.
								- Der
— 
Dermot Tynan
dt...@ka...