Speed controllers

[Gabe01]

I'm about to purchase speed controllers for my robots. The question being which is best?

these are my options, but I'm happy to have suggestions made, cost is not a factor, a good controller is.

http://www.technobotsonline.com/saberto ... oller.html


http://www.botbitz.com/index.php?route= ... duct_id=59

The sabre tooth looks good and it will better I think respond to my computer, when I code up, some automation, but its not as robust. Please comment on the options and make suggestions for others, with links.

[Ellis]

I have never owned or used a Sabertooth speedo, but I haven't heard 100% positive things about them over the years.

We recently received and tested the Botbitz ESCheap85s and so far the suggestion is that they're very good. Control-wise, as others have said, they aren't brilliant really down low (first 10% of throttle) but in the mid and upper range they're perfect, at least for our 4WD machine. Next to the Electronize we were running before, they're a dream.

We'll be testing them in anger soon hopefully, so if you haven't made a decision by then I'll report anything here.

[beast]

http://www.dimensionengineering.com/pro ... rtooth2x25

we used one off theses in beauty2 for a few years alot cheeper from usa

[Gabe01]

Ellis, I will look forward to your testing in your build diary, hopefully with some video. Are you mixing the botbitz controllers through your radio gear?

John, thank you for your input, you've never had a problem, with this controller being overloaded then? I thought it might not be strong enough, hence looking at the bigger one.

Thank you

[Ellis]

Yes, we're running them with a v-tail mixer. BEX works as it should, and it all failsafes as it should, which is nice.

[craig_colliass]

I have used the sabertooth 2 * 25a in Pilgrim (the walker) and it has never failed. the 12a version is running 2 Gimson motors in Gabriel and works fine. I would recomend it as a speed controller they are cheap 12a £53 works straight out of the box.

[mightymouse]

Always used Sabretooth 2x25A for Ironside and MMM, worked perfectly in Ironside for 5 years no problems. Cannot speak highly enough of them.

Tried all sorts of controllers for MMM when the Sabretooth went wrong (direct short across the motor outputs c/o LS3 and condensation from the gas bottle) - they all struggled to give the power, control and reaction speed needed.

Have gone back to Sabretooth - and MMM is flying again like it used to - sent the damaged ones to dimension in the states and were back within the week. The circuits now bonded better to the heatsink. If you use the sabretooth just make sure you bolt through the board and heatsink to a solid base on all 4 corners, and keep liquids off it.

Would not use anything else.

Trev

[PJ-27]

I've had several Sabreteeth fail on me, and for little or no reason, but their customer service is brilliant and they replaced/upgraded free of charge on all occasions.
They also have some nice built in features like, mixing, thermal protection, current limiting, they're a dual controller (smaller, lighter, mounting plate) acceleration ramping, calibrate-able fail safe etc....

The BotsBitz (although I've never used them) have a higher amp rating, built in braking (very useful, not on the Saberteeth) and covered PCBs.

Prices work about the same though I believe? So up to you.

[Gabe01]

Which sabretooth did you have PJ?

[PJ-27]

The 12a one, I also have a 5a model that has never had any problems.