Thread: 4WD

**Helloher** · 13th October 2009, 18:01

Hello, I am considering making a 4WD for my second robot. I am a bit confused about this though. Do I need 4-channel radio gear, or do I just run 2 motors through 1 speedo?

**daliad100** · 13th October 2009, 18:14

Unless you have some exotic drive train then you will only need two channels to drive.

You can run two motors off of one speed controller but I would check if the controller can take the extra load of another motor so you don't break it.

**Helloher** · 13th October 2009, 18:31

Thanks. Are there any speedos I should avoid for a feather full body hammer If I do that?

**joey_picus** · 13th October 2009, 18:59

Welcome to the forum first

As a general rule anything that's designed for remote control cars and is rated at aburdly high levels should be avoided, they'll just blow up. The Electronize controllers have a good reputation although you need at least two of them (one per side), while the Sabertooth 2x25A controls both sides in one unit and is quite good in my experience (I wouldn't use it on anything more powerful than drill motors though)

Everyone has their own recommendation though, based on their own experience, so it's best to ask

**Helloher** · 13th October 2009, 19:11

Thanks Joey.

Can anybody who had particularly good experiences with a 4WD feather please reccomend me a speedo?

Edit: While I'm at it, I've got two more questions:
1) Can anybody recomend a 2-channel radio system?
2) Do feathers need gearboxes?

**psycho_fling** · 13th October 2009, 19:31

most of us now use a radio system called spektrum these radios have some really good features and are as cheap as some fm stuff

they only come in a minimum of 3 channels, but those are pricey there are some 5 channel ones cheaper (would you believe)

you will need some kind of reduction gearbox on any motor

if you just want to practice and see if this is for you gor the cheaper option of 4 drill motors these have gear boxes attached you see

decide upon your motors then the contrller to go with them

alex

**Helloher** · 13th October 2009, 19:43

Would you reccomend the spektrum for drills then?

Edit: Sorry for so many questions, I'm just so eager.

1) Would you reccomend the mtronics eco 27 speed controllers?
2) Where can I buy a safety link + LED?

**team_orr** · 13th October 2009, 20:20

having good 4wd experiance id say, for your first bot, make a nice rectangular base, then get 4 drills from argos (Â£10 each or so) and mount themto your base. get some blue wheels from james or grant cooper and they just screw onto the drill shaft, then wire the two left motors up to each other, you should have two wires left over, do the same to the other side, buy a speed controller, id recomend tom wilkinsons speed controllers as they are very good and quite cheap, he isnt a big brand though so if he dosent have what you want the electronize speedos ( a different word for speedo is esc btw) ut you wil need 2, wire the wires from the drills into their respective esc/s (one es for each drill if its electronize, one esc for both if its a dual esc) and then plug the other wires coming from te esc into the reiciever. there should be a battery slot coming from the esc, plug your battery into there, well thats my area of knowledge :P ask around for other tips, we dont bite....mostly :P