Is this too heavy?

[Lord Bob]

Hi guys

I'm a total newbie and i would like to know if i could fit a pneumatic flipper robot with spikes on the back into feather weight

[joey_picus]

Can't see why not, my featherweight in the making's a pneumatic flipper with spikes at the front

[Lord Bob]

Ok thanks. i just don't want to build it and find it's too heavy

Sorry, more noob questions.

What is a speed controller?
Why do i need it?
Where can i get one?

[Metal Demons]

Ok thanks. i just don't want to build it and find it's too heavy

Sorry, more noob questions.

What is a speed controller?
Why do i need it?
Where can i get one?

A speed controller is an electronic unit which basically switches your motors on/off/reverse and controls how fast they run depending on inputs from your radio receiver and therefore from your controller. You need it because your robot would just sit there without it. You can get one (you'll need two - one for each side of your robot - or a dual channel one) from all kinds of robot suppliers - electronize are okay as a basic cheap kind of thing. else you want to look at a scorpion xxl or sabertooth. Those are the main types used by UK feathers.

Electronize - http://www.electronize.co.uk - or i am selling two. You'll want two 15 amp ones for two drills (FR15HVRs), or two 30 amp (FR30HXs) for two drills a side for four wheel drive.
Sabertooth (you'll want the 2x25 for 2 drills, won't really like anything more than that) - http://www.technobotsonline.com
Scorpion - http://www.robotpower.com/catalog/ - have to order them from the US.

[Lord Bob]

Cool, thanks a lot

[Lord Bob]

Yes it's me again with more noob questions.
Do spikes on the back really do anything, or would i be better using something else, if so, what?

[Metal Demons]

Spikes with 13.6kg behind them won't do more than scratch anything stronger than a Dave Lawrie creation (and probably not even then) - your best bet is to use the weight to improve your flipper, structure, drive, or armour.

[razerdave]

Slightly harsh on dave lawrie there Nick, His latest one was quite sturdy.

Spikes are only really much good if you can get something resting on them. On Satanix, I tend to ram people into walls and they go over the robot and onto the spikes, so I can ram them again and hopefully dent/bend the base panel. I have caused one noticeable bit of damage; I put a hole into Pug's battery pack at Edinburgh when it was hanging loose from the robot.

[Lord Bob]

Right, i will leave out the spikes and maybe make a really good flipper
Lol, i have yet more noob questions

What type controller should i get?
2.4ghz
40mhz digital

they are the only ones i can remember

[geeza]

2.4ghz is more reliable and from next year 40mhz won't be a permitted frequency for featherweights. The price of 2.4 has come right down now so they are a much better prospect.