Tormenta 2 - Build Diary

[Ellis]

Re: Tormenta 2 - Build Diary

We got the new drills yesterday and I got them into shape for use over the course of today. In the process I made this video, if anyone is interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJMoh2C2Hdo

Having prepped both, my dad and I managed to get some time in. All four motors are now mounted (not permanently but the setup is complete) and we mated the two bulkheads with the baseplate. Miraculously, it sits level. Really level. We both simply stared at it when we first put it on something flat. Right on target at 3-4mm!

Pics fresh from the oven: http://s1088.photobucket.com/albums/i32 ... menta 2/

If we get some time, tomorrow could well be test day. We charged the batteries tonight in preparation. Since this one is low to the ground (unlike Tormenta's 10mm), we're not sure where to test it. Perhaps the local sports centre?

And if anyone is interested, it weighs in the region of 5kgs at this point. 3.2kg of that is in the motors, their mounts, and the wheels.

[Ellis]

Re: Tormenta 2 - Build Diary

We have done a good bit of the wiring, and jeez this thing is small inside! Actually quite worrying, there won't be any free space at all!

Since we have the right batteries and it weighs just over 5kgs, it goes like an absolute bat out of hell. It's almost silly. It wheel spins for almost 2 seconds as it is. Might try and get a video but the wiring is all over the place and, bringing me to my two points:

The motors got hot (any more and it would be uncomfortable to hold a hand on one) after just a minute or two of feathering the throttle, with a full blast or two here and there, around the living room. Could they be getting hot because, being at relatively low rpm as I was being light on the throttle, the motors are getting full power (some 20vs) but the fans aren't doing anything? By that logic, driving faster would result in less heat? Is that possible?

And secondly, the Electronize are all over the place in control, really. Fine for Tormenta but we'll be limiting the drive of v2 if we stick to them. Would people advise for or against getting two of the 25a BotBitz controllers? They come to similar money as a single new 30a Electronize which is what we need for the lifter, so..

Thanks.

[Mouldy]

Re: Tormenta 2 - Build Diary

Being the fastest isnt always a good thing....

With some tx's you can limit the throttle to a set percentage - basically setting it so it never goes above a certain voltage...

on my dx7 i have a 3 position toggle switch thats assigned for limiting the throttle in diablo...all the way back is high speed, middle position is about 80% and the last position is about 50%.

My first combat test of the botbitz esc's will be on sunday, ill let you know how they do, but all the aussies are using them now with no troubles. Theres a video of diablo driving around on my youtube page that might help you decide.

[archie2000]

Re: Tormenta 2 - Build Diary

sounds good there Ellis
when your electronics are really compact either tape or heat sink the wires. i shorted hazard2 about 2/3 times i. think mostly because of. the wiring.
and 20v dosent sound good with drills

[Ellis]

Re: Tormenta 2 - Build Diary

Thanks guys. Yeah we're being very careful with the internals: heatshrink on everything, nothing will be longer than it has to be, etc. Also making sure not one bit of the system can limit power. From the output of the batteries to the motor terminals everything is rated 30amps-able or above. Result is it screams. As for 20v, we have the 18v packs but fully charged they're around 20v. We ran the setup in Tormenta for 7 battles without an issue. Fingers crossed.

@Dave, we had considered limiting the voltage via the tx once or twice but found ourselves wondering why. It'll be battling for an absolute max of 3 minutes, I like to think the motors will handle that time, especially since most of it will be near full throttle and the fans should work. Plus, we're using the functional but simple Planet 5, which doesn't have any fancy limits built in.

I saw the video of Diablo on your channel, but you were running the 85a model, right? You say you'll be testing the Botbitz on Sunday, you mean the 25a or 85a ones?

Thanks.

[PJ-27]

Re: Tormenta 2 - Build Diary

The start-stop nature of robot fighting renders the cooling fans useless, plus we put tape over them! So I wouldn't worry/rely on them.

Most motors will get toastie after 3minutes of action, just let them cool after and take spares!

[Ellis]

Re: Tormenta 2 - Build Diary

Yeah, I think take spares is the answer!

I just had another drive test without worrying about making noise in the house and holy $%!@ batman, it's silly. When it weighs 3 times this it'll be more practical. As it is I can barely get it past wheel spin in the length of our living room. And it's scraping on the floor (and scratching our shiny baseplate ). Exciting!

It never got this hot in Tormenta. But, it just occurred to us, I mean we HAVE made improvements to the electronics overall stability and power, but, we live in Spain! We only ever used Tormenta with these batteries in the UK. It's currently 36°C in the shade. Maybe 20°C more than the same components felt in the UK, or thereabouts. Hoping it is largely that - the robot is warm before it even starts!

Also, we tape the motors when we're building, but surely not in combat? What's the point?

[PJ-27]

Re: Tormenta 2 - Build Diary

Also, we tape the motors when we're building, but surely not in combat? What's the point?

You kidding me!? The amount of swarf, dust and general crap you'll pick up in the arena/pit area is unbelievable! Keep them taped up.
Those motors are quite literally magnets for stuff to get stuck in them.

[psycho_fling]

Re: Tormenta 2 - Build Diary

another better alternative imo is maybe to use a mesh/net metal over the fan intakes

kinda meeting the middle, keeping most crap out but letting useful air in, you may aswell use this feature of the motor as it does serve a purpose i have never taped up the intkes and all my motors still work, the weak point in a drill motor imo is the gearbox

[PJ-27]

Re: Tormenta 2 - Build Diary

I've often thought about using foam or sponge to cover the vents.

[psycho_fling]

Re: Tormenta 2 - Build Diary

i think foam or sponge may be difficult to keep in check obviously the last thing you want is the motor wrapping sponge around its internals

[Max]

Re: Tormenta 2 - Build Diary

You could use something like this:
http://www.rapidonline.com/Cables-Conne ... ape-123492

[plargen]

Re: Tormenta 2 - Build Diary

if youve got the space why not use a rc 550 heatsink on the motors

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/540-550-RC-EP ... 2293wt_922

you can even get them with fan attached

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/540-550-RC-EP ... 2153wt_922

[Mouldy]

Re: Tormenta 2 - Build Diary

Ellis - sorry i meant the 85's - deffo worth the exstra £26 for an esc you can use and not have to worry about IMO...

make sure you try a load test.... i drove 540 around at home outside for 10mins fine, always blew up in the arena though.... strap a 20kg load ontop of it and drive it about in anger, it'll simulate combat conditions a bit better.

[Ellis]

Re: Tormenta 2 - Build Diary

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Today it reached 38°C in the shade, maybe that had something to do with the overheating.

We may try and bash some old heatsinks we have around the place into circles and make our own. Thanks for the link, though.

Dave, thought so! Sadly we'd need 2, putting the 'extra' at a £52, some £52 over budget!

I'll be contacting the guy(s) behind BotBitz as to whether they think their 25a models would be happy working around their limit. We have blown a 15a fuse with a single normal 12v drill in the past, so on paper they'd be right on their limit. If they say they'll be fine, then we'll probably go for them.

Thanks.