I want to upgrade my rudder system with gears. What size gears are best? Does the diameter dictate the tooth count? For example, I found a 2” dia, 46 tooth gear. Does that mean I need find smaller dia gears with the same tooth count? Or does the smaller diameter gear reduce the tooth count. also what thickness of gear is the most reliable?
Whatever size fits is best. Tooth count along with pitch determine diameter. You need a set (multiple years with different numbers of teeth) with the same pitch. 32 and 48 pitch are probably the most common in the hobby but by no means the only things that will work. In a set of gears the smaller diameter one will have less teeth. Thickness depends on material mostly but thicker gets are easier to align and keep aligned. Id guess that most gears we use are 1/8" to 3/8" thick, again nothing magical about those sizes, mostly just what's available.
With the smaller gear having a different tooth count, would that affect the quality of the connection between the gears?
