first robot

[botmad]

Re: first robot

no but you should match your batteries to your motors to keep the speed realistic as they will be full on or full off in forward and reverse so you need to make the speed enough to be drivable .......

[elobire]

Re: first robot

ok thanks seems like it will save me some money
would these switches work?:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-x-DPDT-Mini-Sli ... 439bd06a05

[daliad100]

Re: first robot

I thought it was microswitches, sevos and relays that were used to give direction control?

[elobire]

Re: first robot

im kinda confused about these switches. would it be best for me to buy speed controllers if i can afford them?

[botmad]

Re: first robot

Its always best to buy a speedo if you can afford one ..... I used servo's and micro switches because the robot they were in was designed to be smashed up for the crowd so nothing exspencive went into it but they work well ......

[elobire]

Re: first robot

ok i think il go with speed controllers, do you think two of these will do fine?:
http://www.electronize.co.uk/FR12VR_spec.htm
they are £32 each.

[team_orr]

Re: first robot

i would highly recamend getting a speed controller, cos although dpdt switches/servos will work ( im using them in my 4wd axe bot) speed controllers give better control and can be used for other robots later. buy somthing good now and it will pay off in the future

[typhoon_driver]

Re: first robot

Those will do you fine. Been using them for years. Tried a couple other controllers and have found the electronize to be far superior due to their simplicity, ease of use, cost and current handling. Went back to them after a sabre tooth and sidewinder.

[elobire]

Re: first robot

thanks, im going to start ordering the parts tomorrow. probably would be best if i check everything is running the way i want before i start designing the base.

[elobire]

Re: first robot

i found some cheap lead acid batteries but are they allowed in the rules?
these are the batteries:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

[botmad]

Re: first robot

yes they are allowed bit heavy but will do the job fine

[elobire]

Re: first robot

ok thanks, just wanted to check. il proberly buy them to save me £30.

[typhoon_driver]

Re: first robot

You can use SLA (sealed lead acid) batteries but I can't think of many if any current featherweights that do. They are heavy and in sizes suitable for featherweights can't deliver any decent amount of current.

I'd save your cash and go get some Nimh or Nicads. It might cost a little more but its well worth it.

[elobire]

Re: first robot

thanks, i might get them just to get my robot going because i want to spend more on other parts of the robot and get the better ones later. if i did that i could always keep them as a backup incase anything goes wrong before an event.

[typhoon_driver]

Re: first robot

I used to think in exactly the same way with robots. So you save 30 quid just now and get things moving and limit its performance. Or spend the 30 quid extra just now, wait a little longer and get a machine with a far higher spec and you will save a lot in the long run.

It's ultimately your own decision, I'm just trying to save you time and cash in the long run from my own experience and wallet.