Getting Started.

After wanting to build a heavyweight killing machine as a kid, I have made it my goal to at least build some kind of small remote control vehicle, whether competitive or not. (What I really wanted to make was a remote control drinks can named Genghis Can!)

Although I understand mechanical properties and motors/gearing, my knowledge on electronics is virtually nil. So, I request some information on servos, speed controllers, and radio gear. Getting started on making a radio controlled machine.

Can you help?

Have a look at http://www.robotwars101.orghttp://www.robotwars101.org and search its forum for the best advice.

There is also http://www.bobblebot.co.ukhttp://www.bobblebot.co.uk (my site) and http://www.antweight.co.ukhttp://www.antweight.co.uk

I could repeat what is already on those sites, but they probably explain things better than I can :)

We have recently started an Antweight Wiki at
http://www.anweights.co.ukhttp://www.anweights.co.uk run by myself, however there is not much information on there yet, so it would only be of limited use.

Good luck!

Mike
http://www.bobblebot.co.ukhttp://www.bobblebot.co.uk
http://www.antweights.co.ukhttp://www.antweights.co.uk

Thank you.

I really need to compile a parts list. I can probably canibalise some remote control car/lego mindstorms stuff.

If you do end up needing proper radio gear, then one of the best sites is probably http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.ukhttp://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk they have great range of gear for all price ranges.

Radio car stuff is OK if you want to make a robot that wont take part in serious competitions (as it appears you are planning), however for legal robots that can actually fight in the competitions, R/C stuff from radio control cars can be more trouble than its worth.

or visit http://www.xbotz.comwww.xbotz.com to see a small selection of parts for raptors and featherweights

I really need to learn more about the basics of electronics. Im only wanting to do something simple, but I know so little as regards setting up something to be remotely controlled.

My page http://www2.bobblebot.co.uk:8008/antweights/rcgear.phphttp://www2.bobblebot.co.uk:8008/antweights/rcgear.php has some general info on R/C.

This page on Wikipedia could also have some good info, though I have only read the first paragraph: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio-controlled_car

I personally would say that these pages: http://www.robotwars101.org/engineering/radiocontrol/index.htmlhttp://www.robotwars101.org/engineer...rol/index.html are probably the best though.

(Message edited by bobblebot2 on January 01, 2007)

you really need to see my team mates new robot.
no speed controllers or complex systems, its a really nice low tech solution to controlling a robot.

Can you elaborate?

he uses standard servos to activate microswitches, it looks really funky when its in action. like the old clockwork robots in old scifi movies

Is that similar to what Sumpthing used to do on RW?

Poor Sumpthing. Didnt it suffer mechanical failure in all of its Robot Wars shows?

You could have a browse thru the Australian Wiki..
http://www.robowars.org/wikka/TechnicalArticleshttp://www.robowars.org/wikka/TechnicalArticles

Thanks for all the info. Its been helpful.

Its too late to edit my post, but I do have to say something.

Ive had a look through all the links showing the different parts, but what are your exact suggestions for motorizing a coke can in the areas of servos/motors, speed controllers ect?

I wonder about Raptors, something of a concept thats been around for a while and it interests me still.

Any more info on it out there such as competitons, rules, anything in the FRA etc...?

Raptors are a GRA class, 6kg max, 12V max batterypower, and the motors used are not allowed to be bigger or wider than so many mm (check the rules pdf for specifics). Its a fun class, and because stuff like brushless and rare earth magnet motors are not allowed (so no astroflights) it is an affordable class to work with.

The rules can be found here:

http://robotwars.demon.nl/media/rules/http://robotwars.demon.nl/media/rules/

And of course the GRA site:

http://www.roboteers.orghttp://www.roboteers.org

(Message edited by leorcc on February 14, 2007)

No plans to bring it out in the UK as an official FRA category then?

there were, but they went onto the back burner a little bit.
i am running raptors at my event in april, and at all future events Im involved in, so there will be chances to run raptors in the UK