Team Psyclone: The Uprising (Of Build Diaries)

[TeamPsyclone]

Okay. After a long winter hibernation from robots, I am back again, and ready to ask my dad for some money. I've lately been busy programming a game, along with all sorts of stuff, but if I can, I will work on the robot. Anyway, a plan of action:
- Buy some scooter motors around 350-500w, and chain them up to the wheels, with appropriate shock absorbment
- Buy some other bits, and find someone who will kindly sell me a LP Ram for a HW
- Sort that out
- ???
- Profit (Of a hopefully functioning HW)

[TeamPsyclone]

So, in the meantime, of building a heavy, I plan on building a cheap-ish feather too, just to keep myself building, and to get back into this. I've already sketchup'd a design (Since I can't find my copy of Solidworks) and it looks alright ish, I already have the necessary materials to build the outer frame, but no way of controlling it. Has there been any new ESCS for feathers, beyond the TZ85a's and such?

[overkill]

For the motors you mentioned, the TZ85 is still the best value for money.

[TeamPsyclone]

That may be, but just in the nick of time, I've been offered some wheelchair motors, from a nearby mobility shop. Perfect. I don't know what they have in stock yet, but next time I pop up, they'll have something for me. Well, when we get a text through, that is.

So, step one done. Sort of.
Step two. I already have half a speed controller, can anyone tell me if I do actually need the £40 radio thingy from 4QD (I have the 4QD NCC) or if I can use the cheap, £8 same type of thing. Links below.

The expensivy one
The cheapo one (at the very bottom of the page, I assume the second board would work)

Thanks for any help.

[plargen]

you would need 2 of the cheapo ones and 2 servos to control them

[TeamPsyclone]

Could I possibly unsolder the pot, and replace it with a servo pigtail into a receiver, since the pot gives off a signal, and receives two power inputs? Or atleast I'd assume that. I also believe that there's another one, for remote pots, would that work?

[overkill]

Not a chance; The pot varies a a voltage level into the controller, while and R/C receiver sends a string of pulses. They are completely incompatible.

[TeamPsyclone]

So, the servo seems like the easiest way. Well, in a budget, it does. I don't have the budget to pay £40 for part of an esc, along with the other components. I may at some stage, but I also need weapons (Could anyone recommend an actuator capable of lifting heavies? I can't really afford pneumatics quite yet. And I'd rather try it on a feather first.)

[TeamPsyclone]

Oh, and completely off the topic of heavyweights, I have a little Sabertooth 2x5a, and when I plug it in, a blue light flashes in two set bursts. I'm not sure why, I'm certain I set everything up correctly, all the wires in the correct places the right way round. Any help?

EDIT: I fixed it. Not sure how, or what was wrong, but it suddenly decided to work. Weird.

[harry hills]

Blue light is supposed to flash. Its counting the lipo cells.

[TeamPsyclone]

Ah, that makes sense. Knowing me, something was not plugged in a micron far enough.

[TeamPsyclone]

Wow, 10k views. Das a lot.

Anyway, today will be a CAD day. Since a few are going with it, I was "Inspired" (AKA jumping on the bandwagon) and going to attempt to make something in one of the Autodesk programs. Inventor, Solidworks, I don't really mind.

So, the first design [INSERT DESIGN HERE] A two wheeled speed 900'd (Clone, or something similar in power) steel bar'd pyramid of a robot.

[maddox10]

Forgetr speed 900's. Those are getting so rare... You rather should invest in golddust.

The new BotBitz combo looks like a winner.

[TeamPsyclone]

Yeah, I've seen how impossible to get the Speed 900s are. I'd rather go for a nice clone of the style of motor, something off of ebay. Wouldn't be nearly as powerful as the originals, but if it's stronger than drill motors.

Also, what is this BotBitz combo you speak of? The GM36 motors? Sorry if I've got the complete wrong thing, I tend to do that.

[overkill]

Mario is talking about this: http://www.robowars.org/forum/viewto...1642&start=540