Linear actuator for remote steer?

[dustyjohns]

I have a Garmin Reactor 40 autopilot on my 9.9 Merc kicker. I don’t really care for it and am trying to find a solution. I got to thinking and came up with the idea of using a linear actuator. No it would not have “autopilot” or any of those fancy things. It would give me a wired remote steering system though. So I was wondering if anyone else out there has done it.

[bowelkhntr]

I've built 2. What I did was use an old cable window regulator from a ford (I'm a retired ford wrench). I used a small plastic box, (when radio shack was in business they were called "project boxes) to house the fuses, and relays, and a smaller one to house the receiver. I bought the remote, and it's receiver on eBay. I wired mine with external relays to power the window motor. I also used an actuator from a heater control system and used a cable from a window regulator (I built a small pully on the end of it) and assorted aluminum and leftover window regulator parts to build a bracket to make a throttle control. it worked well enough. I also had a Garmin tr1 gold and had an insurance claim and was upgraded to a Reactor 40. I much preferer it as I can build routes in my Lorance, and it will follow better than my TR1 gold did.