TS 10 Simrad Tillerpilot reborn with smartphone app.

[garymalmgren]

About 4 months ago I came across a link for a smartphone app that will run nav equipment.
I have a dead TS 10 Simrad Tiller pilot, plus a Fuso FT 1200 and a Raymarine ST 1000+.
After 4 months of farting around, burning out controllers and being unable to download the software properly.
I finally got it to work. Now for a bit of cleaning up the rough edges.

The basic concept is to remove everything inside the TS 1000 except the motor, gearbox and drive shaft.
Replace the control board, buttons and compass with a smartphone and an app.
I also need to make up some limit switches as when the board was removed the Hall sensor switch limiter was also taken out.
Gary

 

[Timm R Oday25]

I'm extremely impressed. How well is this going to work ,once out of range of cell phone towers ?
We lose cell coverage maybe two miles from the shore on Lake Michigan .

 

[garymalmgren]

This has no link to Cell phone tower coverage coverage.
I am sure that you still have Navionics "two miles from the shore on Lake Michigan ."

The system uses the Smartphone's compass and GPS and the app.
Gary

 

[dLj]

What will you do - make a mount for your cell phone? I can just see myself walking around with my cellphone in my pocket and having my boat dance... LOL

Can't wait to see how well you get this to work. Very interesting!

dj

 

[garymalmgren]

HI Dj
I use my daughter's old phone on the boat for Navionics, Sail Speed and from now for Autopilot.
It sits in a cradle and is always plugged in.
When I am sure of it I will report back.

gary

 

[Timm R Oday25]

Are you saying Navionics works from cell towers ?

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I'm definitely interested in hearing about your progress. Glad to hear that you're going for hall sensors instead of mechanical

 

[JBP-PA]

Neat. I can see how it would make course adjustments easy if your phone is in a mount, just twist your phone a bit.

 

[JBP-PA]

Are you saying Navionics works from cell towers ?

I think he is saying it does not use cell service at all, just the phones magnetic compass, GPS receiver, and probably Bluetooth.

 

[Davidasailor26]

I think he is saying it does not use cell service at all, just the phones magnetic compass, GPS receiver, and probably Bluetooth.

And that’s all you need for Navionics, and presumably for the AP controller app.

 

[garymalmgren]

Hi Project Mayhem RE, Glad to hear that you're going for hall sensors instead of mechanical
The Simrad has a Hall sensor to (try to) prevent end damage when the ram hits the end of its stroke.
Eventually, this gets out of sync and the outer end is damaged, water enters and PHIZZZZ. No more tillerpilot.
Simrad do not supply these parts (motherboard). I had remove the burntout board so the Hall sensor could not function. Therefore I had to make up a mechanical limiting switch system.

Gary