MOG and Ferrari are both engineering marvels

Visit www.mogcanalboat.com for more details about the MOG Canal Boat.

Borrowing from Enzo to resolve the Forward/Reverse issue.

Our story to date: The propulsion system on the MOG prototype had a glitch deep within a product purchased for the craft. In a quick change from forward drive to reverse, the system required a short (milliseconds) pause. Without the pause, the motors did not get the message to reverse direction. The MOG continued under power in the same direction contrary to instructions from the remote control. Potential disaster loomed with every outing. Imagine docking a 40 ft motor yacht with no confidence that the boat would respond as directed. (See last post for details.)
The solution involves a gate on the remote control that allows a pause when shifting from forward to reverse (or vice versa).  Please note the progression starting with the genesis of the idea (Ferrari gear shift plate) and images of the prototype with cardboard and then the culmination in a simple and elegant fix.

 Stick shift gate for a Ferrari Testarossa (nice but it is not remote control)

 The port (left side) of the RC w/o a gate and the cardboard mock up on the starboard (right).

 Final product works for application of an RC to control throttle and drive direction.

In addition to the fix of the persistent direction, there was the nagging issue of hearing the twin electric motors and whether they were in forward, neutral or reverse. Eureka ! ! ! ! Another simple solution that really works.

Head Phones. And not just any head phones but ones that are stupid cheap too. Like $8.99 from Harbor Freight.

The remote transmitter for the headphones is also equipped with a microphone that will easily pick up the difference in sound of each electric motor and if they are in forward, neutral or reverse.

 It is very easy to tell the difference between the port and starboard motors, each one's speed sound and in what direction it is rotating. Each motor has a distinct and unmistakable 'voice'.

And, if one is tired of listening to the motors during a long straight run, the headphones can be switched to their own internal FM antenna so that music or talk radio is brought to the ear.

All of this for under $9, for me, the hearing impaired yacht pilot.

I might also add that the microphone picks up any conversation on the aft deck (or wherever placed) to my hearing enjoyment..... such as,  "honey, the bar-b-que ribs and hard cider is ready."

Wireless Headphones