Just Arrived. I Shut The Door :-)

[ipswichrobo]

Hi!

I work for a TV production company in Ipswich, Suffolk and we're currently looking to put together a few robots for a TV series we are working on. Not really a fighting robot but never-the-less, I'm sure you'll be able to advise.

The 2 guys who build out sets are both very good at their construction, rigging and electric wiring for stage lighting but neither are electronic engineers so aren't up to scratch on robotics. They have worked on designs and a few prototypes that sit over a remote controlled car but now it is time to scale it up.

The final design will be constructed from 2mm steel plate and box section. Total weight of around 12kg. Total size of around 22 x 22 and 8 high. On top of it will go 2 mounted cameras which we already have sorted from our crews.

Now then...

I have already bought a Planet 5 controller & R6M reciever, 2x £9.99 Argos cordless drills and a big 7ah Lead acid battery. I am now looking at the Sabertooth dual 10amp R/C controller (http://www.robotbits.co.uk/motor-driver ... od_61.html) to control the speed - any thoughts?

Wheels will be rubber castors and I already have a few lighting controllers which can be triggered remotely with a cheap switch relay.

So really it is just a speed controller that we need to sort out and we'll be ready for the build The thing we need to know is... will the speed controller we're thinking of be ok with 2 of these http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/p ... +DRILL.htm

[razerdave]

Hi there

For a featherweight (13,6kg in combat), 10A would be pushing the limit I would say. A better bet would be a 25A version just to be on the safe side, or if your budget will stretch, a Scorpion XL (available from Robot Power.com) would suit your needs. If your're on a real budget, Electronize 30A controller have proven themselves in penty of robots, though their response times are a little slow for me

[ipswichrobo]

Does anybody know the stall current of one of the 12v drill motors I posted above?

I also found this http://www.robotbits.co.uk/motor-driver ... od_64.html and with it running in Mode 2, that would work - wouldn't it?

Budget-wise £60 is absolute max inc. delivery for a controller.
Planet 5 tx & rx was £52.
Battery was £12
Drill motors are £10 each
Wheels £10 for 4
Metal £25
Bits & bobs £20

And we're making 2 of these bots. 1 red and 1 yellow

[ipswichrobo]

Just reading about the SyRen 25A controller and it is only for 1 motor so that is no good for us

[typhoon_driver]

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

This is the 25A controller you want. You will blow the 10A one running drill motors (I know because I have). If you run with 12v drills on 12v then the 25A controller will do the job fine. You should be able to get them from dimension engineerings website.

Ok now lets talk consultancy fees, for the above info I'd say 100 quid is about right

[ipswichrobo]

Thanks typhoon! I'll have to talk to my manager about the fee

So this is it in the UK http://www.robotbits.co.uk/motor-driver ... od_62.html for about £100.

I'm now thinking about getting it from http://www.dimensionengineering.com/Sabertooth2X25.htm which I guess is in the states. $124.99 is about £80... would customs have something to say or would they pass it with no charge??

Cheers!

[typhoon_driver]

customs will sting you for that and yeah thats the controller (add another £30 to that total )

[cliveb]

You can always use Technobots http://www.technobotsonline.com/saberto ... ersal.html

Clive

[john]

I work for a TV production company in Ipswich, Suffolk and we're currently looking to put together a few robots for a TV series we are working on.

Hi,

Just wondering what TV series you are working on? Also what production company do you work for?

And welcome to the forum

[ipswichrobo]

I work for a TV production company in Ipswich, Suffolk and we're currently looking to put together a few robots for a TV series we are working on.

Hi,

Just wondering what TV series you are working on? Also what production company do you work for?

And welcome to the forum

That's something we have to keep under wraps at the moment. We'll let you know when it is broadcast!