Speed controllers for Reliance motors

I was wondering if anyone could advise me on speed controllers:

I have recently purchased a partially built robot which uses two reliance motors and gear reduction axles from Roger Plant. The builder, Chris, says he has blown up several 4QD boards trying to run it on them (not sure which type) and recommended Vantec controllers.

The RobotEq looks better on paper, having 80 amps continuous and 250 amps peak, while the Vantec RDFR38E has 80 amps continuous and 220 amps peak. Also, the RobotEqs RS232 input would make interfacing a lot simpler, while the Vantec only has servo inputs.

Is there anything to recommend the Vantec over the RobotEq controller?

I use the same motors in RCC2, and use OSMC 3.1 speed controllers. Weve had no problems with them whatsoever.

Both the Vantec and the Roboteq should do fine, so the only thing for you to look at is space and costs.

Just out of curiosity, what robot did you buy?

Its Bob which was advertised on the RW forum recently. You can still see some pictures of it on EBay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3156965046&ssPageName= ADME:B:LC:UK:1http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...PageName=ADME: B:LC:UK:1
But I dont know if this link will remain valid for long.

its not just a case of power, as they both have enough. but i would say the roboteq is the better choice. it has alot more features (such as variable CL, fully programmable funuctions) and seems near impossible to blow. It probably is cheaper as well.

Humm...... 4qds blowing up with Rogers motors surprises me, considering he uses and sells them exclusivly. I would have thought they were compatable so e-mail him, who else would know better?

You entering bob in the wrexham event this year Jim, got some great footage of Cayenne on the DvD from last year.

Ill e-mail you the promo if you want, you appear on it.

Yes, please email me the promo - jim_web@mode7.co.uk. Whens the full DVD available?

Id like to enter Bob in the Wrexham event if theres space - is it at the end of March like last year?

Jim
Your cheaper option is Rogers own Curtis controllers that he sells for about £50.

Ive got five of them already. Im not sure theyll be up to the job though. Roger recommends the NCC-70 for the reliance motors, and the Curtis controllers also claim to do 70 amps continuous (no idea about peak). So I dont know why Chris had trouble with the 4QD boards (he was using higher power versions than the NCC-70, I cant remember which ones though), but it does suggest that I need something with a bit more power.

I suppose I could risk one just to see what happens - but I got such a good deal on Bob that £410 for the RobotEq doesnt seem so bad.

Well, it seems im not the only one who bought a robot from Ebay.

I bought Splinter a while back.

Danger will robinson!....simple maths dictates that you check the motors out seriously before letting a speedie anywhere near them.... reliance motors worth about a tenner a piece... even second hand ncc70s are going to be £50.
It takes a fair bit of damage to make the nccs go bang, In our case it was having the dominator 2 axe go through the motor mount smashing the motor to pieces...

Good point Rob... theyre turning freely enough but Ill strip them down this weekend.

I know one or two Roboteers who used the Curtis with both the Reliance and the Lytons without any problems. Im using the old NCC60s with my reliance and havent had any problems, but my bots never done anything but drive round my yard.