Team Kaizen - The Honey Badger

[Ocracoke]

So this evening I reflashed the TZ85A and we are back in business, both drive ESCs are working. I also reconnected the FeatherTwo to the weapon motor and after checking that the polarity is right this time, verified that it works. The next thing is to get the two co-operating with each other on the RX. I'll get a JR servo extender cable and put the power lines in there rather than cut the FeatherTwo's wire in case I need to have it powering the RX again.

However, things now look promising to have it done this week, get through Manchester 2018 event with a potential test match beforehand and then get the thing properly rewired for the upcoming FW championships.

UPDATE: I connected up the FeatherTwo to the RX via the JR servo extender with both of the power wires cut, leaving only the signal wire connected and whilst it does turn on (the orange LED blinks), nothing happens when the switch is thrown on the TX. Will look into this tomorrow.

[Rapidrory]

Try reconnecting the black power wire to the RX; need some kind of a signal return.

[Ocracoke]

Thanks, will do when a new batch of extender wires get here

Having a bit of a nightmare with The Honey Badger at the moment. With the addition of the lifting arm, the batteries had to be moved from the tupperware box that they were housed in but where I would like them to fit, they can't because the lifting arm motor catches on it when refitting the lid.

I've temporarily removed the drive batteries and decided to test the lifting arm to see it it would self right the robot. Guess what, it doesn't. I suspect this is to do with the lack of leverage the arm or the gear ratio of the motor has (98:1) so I might change it into a impromptu axe or slow rotary weapon just to get through Manchester and then will address at a later date.

I am also going to be changing the transmitter and receiver for a new OrangeRX TX6i transmitter for transmitter mixing and the multiple model memory for all of the weird and wonderful creations I have and... well I rather like the colour. :P

[Maxamuslead]

the lifter arm could you bolt some something to it to give it more leverage ? take a photo let us help.

[Ocracoke]

I did bolt a extra piece to the arm but it seems not to help. I really think it is to do with where it is bolted to.

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Giving it some thought, going to change it for a axe and see where it goes from there.

[Retroman]

It's not a light solution, but could you relocate the motor and use a chain drive? It's could give you some battery space and be re-geared for more torque in one move?

[Ocracoke]

There really isn't that much space inside the robot to begin with once you include the second set of batteries so adding a chain drive would be very difficult.

Actually, rethinking this, I have the same problem as Manta. I am sure that robot uses a pair of curved edges at the rear of the robot to guide the robot over as it is self righting (the two robots are darn near the same shape). Might be worth fabricating something like that out of the spare HDPE I have laying around to see if that helps at all along with more voltage. Would also help with the link protection as well.

If I lift the robot off of the arm a little and then fire the arm, it does manage to get up on its back and then no further so it *is* getting there.

[Retroman]

How tall is the badger? It does sound like it's almost there, I've got some PE pipe I could cut you a chunk of if it's any use to you? 250mm I.D. and around 14mm thick...

Anyway... I didn't realise how tightly packed it was in there, although I suppose any dead space is dead weight isn't it?

[Ocracoke]

The Honey Badger is approximately ~20cm tall without the drive wheels at its tallest. I think what I'll do is gut the robot completely to a rolling shell and rearrange everything so it'll fit... and it will. Gives me a chance to sort out the "dodgy" wiring as well.

I've got some PE pipe I could cut you a chunk of if it's any use to you?

Hmm.... that might work for the rear. Is there a 250mm long section available?

[Retroman]

I'm sure I could cut you some off, I've got a 5 feet of it in the garage and a skip full at work...

Only trouble is I've still no car after the MOT, if I could find a way to strap it to the bike I could meet you somewhere... even bring it to Manchester? We can sort something I'm sure.

And packing it all in is the trouble I'm having, I'm getting so unbeleiveably fussy about fitment and overall quality... might never even get a chassis finished at this rate ha

[Ocracoke]

I am quite happy to come up to Manchester in the weekend if that makes it easier for you, I can drive.

[Retroman]

Yeah that's cool, I'm free today and Monday, but working tomorrow, I'll pm my number and we can sort out a when and where

[Ocracoke]

I've reorganised the internals and whilst I may need a new battery case to fit the 4x batteries in the one case, I've finally got the internals organised in such a way that the lid finally shuts. My new OrangeRX Tx6i transmitter arrived today as well but I've yet to wire it in, I want to spend a bit of time learning about it first before converting The Honey Badger over to it. I very much approve of the semi-transparent orange.

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The new JR extender wires also arrived so one was plucked out, the positive wire clipped and the FeatherTwo now works with the current setup, many thanks to Rory for the wiring tip. I don't know if it is standard behaviour because of the wiring calamity last week or so but the ESC makes a whining noise when on, doesn't seem to affect how it works so I'll take it. I know it still needs rewiring properly, it is on my list of things to do.

Anyway, here is a video of it terrorising the vacuum cleaner. :P

[Ocracoke]

So with the robot now nearly refitted, I've been working on getting the OrangeTX system plumbed in and after a bit of failsafe craziness, it now runs on it along with one of my Antweights.

Today though one of the TZ85A needed reflashing again. Not entirely sure why, seemed to only be working at half power and developed a mind of its own when the transmitter was turned off. It is cured for now but something tells me it'll be back. I also tidied up my links and got the wiring ready to accept a fuse for the lifting arm or axe which I've put together, a sharp pointy steel thing on the end of a length of HDPE, I fear it may bend sidewards under use but there is still time to reinforce it.

Many thanks to Retroman for the 14mm thick piping, I don't think I'll have it installed by Manchester but Grantham... perhaps.

I do like Gimson's stuff but the hubs are a bit of a pain when either the grub screw bends or the hub itself deforms under load (they being Aluminium alloy, might go shopping for steel hubs next time there is any money to put into this - got Kaizen to work on after Manchester. Still, I put it down to extraordinary use on the arm, the hubs on the wheels are still good.

[Ocracoke]

Important news - the new front lid now has googly eyes!

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I've since added a locking pin arrangement for the arm and reinforced the substructure holding the motor onto the lid so rather than using 2x M4 bolts, 3x M6 bolts + 1 M4 bolt hold it in place. I've also began work on the front Aluminium bash plate replacing the metal door finger plate from last year that was shredded at Maidstone 2017 (DoubleTrouble was kind enough to donate some 5 bar tread plate at Gloucester 2017). I've bent it into shape but still need to trim off the excess to make it flush with the bodywork, the excess may replace the sticky tape eye brows