Micro hydraulic pump and actuatorfor marine use

[paul.deitch]

I have a fantasy about making a 2 metre robotic sail boat using a solar panel with an electric motor to drive (if there is such a thing) a miniature hydraulic pump which in turn would drive an actuator(s) on deck for sails, rudder and reefing and of course be subject to salt water immersion for a considerable time.

Ebay has lots of expensive powerful pumps and actuators but I am looking for something quite small. Any ideas or experience from you guys? Or do you know of another forum apart from PH which might be more appropriate to post?

[Mroad]

Sorry no idea about boats but any reason for going hydraulic on an already electric rig? I would keep it all electric and look at using 12v or 24v linear actuators. You just need to make sure the loading and speeds are compatible with what you need.

[paul.deitch]

On a ship at sea no electric motor will survive regular immersion. I am designining a tiny "model" boat not a 30 foot sailor.

[V8FGO]

Something like this.

http://www.hydraproducts.co.uk/hydraulic-power-pac...

Have you tried any model boat forums.

[Mr2Mike]

paul.deitch said:

On a ship at sea no electric motor will survive regular immersion. I am designining a tiny "model" boat not a 30 foot sailor.

But you need an electric motor anyway to drive the pump, so you are going to have to keep that in a waterproof area. You could put a linear actuator in the same place and use bowden cables with sealed ends to transmit the force. Seems a simpler solution overall, and less to go wrong.