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Decided to make a new thread as the old ones pretty well defunct
so a lot has been going down here in the Team Orr camp, we have designed a few more robots, built a couple and attended a couple more events! hopefully i will upload some stuff about that later but for now just a few things.
The Matador: its a super-antweight i built at school for a DT project, turned out pretty sweet, but still not 100% built yet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWwxJ...feature=relmfu
liking the flea :lol:
Thank ye, it still needs some carbon fiber loveliness and a proper battery but appart from that its cool, good to go!
carbon fiber more like carbon shmiber :crazy:
Alright...whatsup...Shane.......Jack i think you should call the white robot after a washing detergent as its so white....I.E. Bold...Persil...Daz :).....Teambud already have a robot called Chuck that wins everything after the legend. :)
*Blows away dust*
So...Sup? Its been a while! Basically been doing Hardcore GCSE/Music stuff as well as YouTube charity shenanigans (Video Below). Stumbled across the FRA again when i got sent the forum update message, a lot has changed in my absence. Thought i would give this a quick update. While i have been MIA from the forums i have not completely stopped all robotic stuff, for my Resistant Materials GCSE i am building a small Theo Jansen inspired walker which, although non-combat, is a joy to work on (but very complex). My Heavyweights are still out doing there own things in the world. Mythras is still (i believe) With Dan and Chris Townend of Team ASBO fame, collecting dust in their garage. Orrion is in our Friend/mechanic/decorator's house because its a pain in the arse to move around, however hopefully it will be returned to us soon and then put back into action (although i seem to remember a motor had broken- its been a while). The Featherweights are still in bits in the workshop but should be coming together ASAP. The current lineup is: Pure Evil, Prodigy, Ministrom (Mini-Maelstrom, needs drive motors), A as yet un-names 2WD Rambot i acquired from Will, a crusher which is in many pieces and whats left of TMG. Hopefully me and new team member Joe can patch them up. The Ants are okay, Valliant is still hurting from a meeting with Combatant but is more or less 100%, Dead Meat is in need of a new ESC but pretty much done, and the spinner is well...in need of a spinner. The Fleas are as they were after the last RFRC. I have pretty much decided not to attend any more events until all my robots are 100%, so dont expect me at the Champs this year etc. Be interesting to see how everybody else's projects have evolved. Pics to come of my stuff.
BTW for anybody who missed it, what i have been doing recently:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgO1hVdxoAk
Got a shipment from eBay today, 2 Speed 900 clones. I know they cant match the torque or RPM but they're cheap and cheerful so im happy enough. I then dug up my old Drum Spinner chassis (or whats left of it) and tried a few things out. Im going with a bulkhead design similar to the original Drumroll. HDPE for bulkheads and armour. 1 Speed 900 per bulkhead/drive pod (1 drive motor, 1 120mm wheel, 1 Speed 900/Spinner Mechanism). I took a quick snapshot for you guys but its difficult to translate what im getting at, hope this will do for the moment.
Oh and because im on a budget of well... Very little (Aiming to get it marked for GCSE RM) Im a bit stuck with ESC's. I dont really want to go for a Bang Bang setup but on the same token a more reliable ESC is out of reach/Pocket. I did find these though: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Marine-50A ... 745wt_1180
Will they be okay with 2 drills at 12 or so volts? I think they will be okay for Forward but a bit worried they could go if i Reverse too hard. Hopefully i should have more to show you in a few days, but its looking less and less likely i will be able to make the champs (Yet again, im counting the days until i get to drive...).
im using a couple in mine and they seem to run ok but haven't battle tested them yet but ive read that some people have run them on 14.4v with no probs
good, simple robot you're gonna have there methinks
try squezing a few pennys out your perants, i got most of my media stuff paid for like that (which was eventualy cobbled into ants)
those escs should be fine
Thanks Fella's, i will probably end up getting those ESC's then. What should i use to control the Weapon motors? I was thinking a simple Bang Bang style switch hooked up to both motors, i dont really need variable control for that, but if anybody else has a idea feel free to throw them out there. Im also in need of some Pulleys/Belts, does anyone know where i can get some for a reasonable price? Thanks again.
could use 1 of these to turn a 50a car relay on http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SOLDERLESS-RC ... 786wt_1270 or a really cheap ESC to activate the relay http://www.giantcod.co.uk/speed-control ... 05435.html
Escs and relays don't mix well, and that's a brushless esc. Also that rc switch is pretty rubbish, go for a turnigy rc switch.
oh sorry thought it was a brushed 1 ... didn't really read the description
to elaborate on my previous point, escs work by turning on and off very quickly. this ends up in the relay welding shut. A turnigy rc switch and a large relay should do fine,
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RC-Turnigy-Re ... 188wt_1114
Thanks for the info Jonny.
Also contrary to my previous statement it appears my parents are prepared to shell out a bit more money after i did so well in my maths GCSE :wink: So my question to you is this: Which reliable ESC should i go for? The cheap Hong Kong ones look tempting but if a Sabertooth or similar is available then that would be better, preferably under or around £60. Anyone got a recommendation/supplier?
Thanks again
electronize 15a.
i'm using 1 of these http://www.technobotsonline.com/saberto ... or-rc.html
but from other bits on the forum some people have had problems
+1 for electronize
+ for sabertooth, there more reliable, and have lipo cut out, and lots of settings.... Etc, for the same price as the electronises...
Thanks guys,
I think i would prefer the Sabertooth for this one, have the most experience with them. Also right up on the weight limit by the looks of things so a lighter ESC would help. My only concern is that a few people have reported concerns with the Saberooth, does it burn out easily? I know it depends on the application/battery power but as a relative newcomer to the technology part of featherweights it would be interesting to hear peoples experiences. As for the weapon ESC, i may go for a relay setup, or just stick to a DPDT switch and a servo.
ive only ever used a 10a dual sabertooth and i ran 2 drills on 14.4v pack, never really had any issues....all that happened was the speedo would cut if you went full throttle presumably to protect itself just easing in the throttle is easy enough though
i have heard of problems with them blowing etc
just don't come crying to me with a burn out esc :wink:
I run with one fine, they never burnt out, even when i burnt out 2 motors on one side (I was using the 24 amp Version but it's basically the same as 1 on 12 amps) , it didn't burn out, and it has heat protection and alsorts, there really good and adjustable, the fact they can fall of the metal plate on large impacts is the only problem, but if you mount it correctly it holds it in place.
Don't go for the sabertooth! ever since I strarted running my 2x25a on 4 drill motors on 12v I have been having problems with it.
It started sspinning in circles uncontrolibly, then it cut out and then suddenly drove full speed forwards and after its first event it died.
Im only running 2 drills off it though? Although the speed 900's will be running off the same power supply but a different ESC, Im still tempted to get the sabertooth as it would be simpler, but if people are criticising it this much then perhaps i should go for the electronize's :?
electronizes are simple as a simple thing with brain damage.
sounds like its a bit hit and miss with sabertooth some work fine others don't .......i've only been messing round with mine as i haven't fully built either bot but i ran 4 drill off it for a bit and pushed a wooden box along the floor bit ive moved my sabertooth to my 2 wheel drive bot and i've been pushing thing round with that and the motors get warm but the esc doesn't
@Harry: You got a link to a good/cheap source? The only one i managed to find was a Do it Yourself Kit, which i dont really fancy ATM.
@Plargen: Thanks for the Info, i have used the Sabertooth in another featherweight but that never really got any combat exposure, therefor dont know its limits etc.
Oh wow... I dont even... :oops:
TBF i did google it, but on my phone, so half the results got messed up. Im still inclined to go towards the Saberooth, will have a think.
i also looked at these esc dunno if anyone's used them but they sound ok
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130602511068? ... 1423.l2649
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDo1X...=youtube_gdata
i might be ever so slightly bias against the sabertooth escs, do you think?
Just for that im Buying the Sabertooth...
Seriously though, i still think the Sabertooth is the better option, could i not wire in a fuse or something to lower the odds of it exploding and dying a horrible death?
regardless of the esc wiring in a fuse to the power feed to the esc is a good practice
Use the mini blade type from a car - the holders are inexpensive and there are a wide range of value
Sounds good, buying the 12a model and then wiring fuses in line, wish me luck :uhoh:
Also im in need of belts/Pulleys and links? Below is a picture of my setup ATM, the Drum (of sorts) its a steel blade i purchased from Jonny a while back, to compromise for its lack of endcaps its comes as one Unit, which is useful, just add nuts to the ends, add belts and we are ready to go
As far as I'm aware, they don't just blow, they have current cut outs, so there fine, it's the fact that the exposed circuit, gets damaged from debris and dirt and stuff, which can short, and damage the delicate electronics. I think... Just protect them in a case, and cushion the mounts maybe a good idea?
technobots for pulleys