RC Valve Controller Development

[Rapidrory]

The controller boards arrived back a while ago but I'm yet to properly do anything with them; I've made up a few of the servo controller boards to do several things other than control servos (the one I used to do the endstops for Richie's lifter is shown below), one of the 3 channel valve switchers was sent for testing in a heavy without much success yet (though I haven't had it back for diagnostics), and the other boards I haven't had the time nor bought the parts to populate them.



What I have been doing is working on the new heavyweight controller prototype, which is just a scaled up version of the featherweight one with 2 Fets per channel rather than one, and much better and safer driver circuitry. I say prototype as just after sending them for printing I realised a load of flaws in the design that need improving, but it should still work fine albeit not at such a high current rating as I'd hoped. This version also includes the facilities for testing out current limiting, which should help keep everything from catching fire. Having looked at the ragebridge controllers I've been impressed at what a powerful tool current limiting can be (60A controller running a heavyweight fine).

As such, I realised that it could be possible to create a plug in board for other controllers to add in adjustable current limiting. This would plug in between the power supply for the ESC, and also the signal line. It would be mainly aimed at the TZ85a, and would have an upper current limit setting of around 80A. It could be used to reduce the risk of flaming your motors on stall or a large overvolt, as well as possibly safely driving bigger motors than you otherwise could (see 60A ragebridge running 1000A startup current motors). Just a possibility; curious if there'd be much interest in me making such a thing..