Which controller?

[Chris230291]

Re: Which controller?

Not many people have mentioned the sabertooth? does that mean its pants? the figures suggest its the better one? however i like the link that widow_twanky sent me. i have a few Q's though, does the first link do the same job as a esc? i understand it like this. i connect my receiver to that Servo Pulse to Dual H-Bridge Interface this does its magic and sends the signal to my h bridge that controls my motors? if this is correct i think i will go down this root. if the more techy people could give me a hand with which electronics i need to make, i can through the schematics at my dad and he can get the pic programed and get necessary bits and bobs. my dad doesnt really know electronics, hes the CAD guy, but he sits next to the software and the electronics guys at work which would be more than happy to help. they actually make sensing and controlling units for industry. they cant really look into it as it'l be done in works time, so if someone could tell me what exactly i need, they'l get me the bits and do the programming and ill solder it all together

Cheers for all the input.

[typhoon_driver]

Re: Which controller?

my honest answer is to keep it all as simple as possible at first. Buy a commercial controller that plugs into the receiver and get a robot chassis running.

Many people over the years have tried and many have failed to develop their own speedos. A few have succeeded. One thing that all had in common was a great expertise in electronic design.

Even with the heavyweight I won robot wars with, typhoon 2 we had some custom electronics in there to help with the disc spin up in the later variations of the machine and those were no easy feat to develop.

I can understand your enthusiasm but you will save time, money and many a heartache on your first machine if you buy a ready made controller, ie plug and play.

The sabretooth is a nice controller but it's rated specs are somewhat high. Personally I have burned a few out using them to their limits with overvolted drill motors.

[Chris230291]

Re: Which controller?

Ok thanks for the input. maybe i should buy an off the shelf speedo first to get something running and work on my own speedo after. im just worried that im gonna burn the scorpion out. i think im going to use scooter motors for drive. i checked the stall current by actually stalling an old scooter motor ive had for years. i plan to use the same ones in my robot. it drew 20 amps at stall which i thought was very low? what do you think? i just locked the motor shaft with some pliers and put a multimeter in the circuit to give me that figure. if the batteries were partially flat could this effect the reading? i heard someone saying they use scooter motors with the scorpion xll and runs ok. im just worried it wont be able to handle it.


Thanks

[typhoon_driver]

Re: Which controller?

It should be fine. If i remember right (and please someone else correct me if im wrong) the scorpion xxl has current limiting on board anyway?

You will struggle to stall a scooter motor in a featherweight due to the torque they produce. You will be more likely to spin the wheels

[Chris230291]

Re: Which controller?

It should be fine. If i remember right (and please someone else correct me if im wrong) the scorpion xxl has current limiting on board anyway?

You will struggle to stall a scooter motor in a featherweight due to the torque they produce. You will be more likely to spin the wheels

FANSATIC! and yer i forgot they DO have current limiting. i was also worried that there would be no point using up that weight in scooter motors if they only ran at half power. but your advice coupled with my little experiment and what iv'e read online, im happy to go with the scorpion now. i'll hang on a little and see if someone posts something to change my mind though.

one more thing! do you mind telling me what motors you used for the spin in the featherweight typhoon? i remember that it was very impressive.

Cheerrs Dude you're been a massive help.

[Chris230291]

Re: Which controller?

Anyone know a uk supplier for the scorpion xll? only place i found was robot marketplace.

[philippos]

Re: Which controller?

try robotpower.com

[psycho_fling]

Re: Which controller?

you'll only find them in the us robotpower.com are the makers and usa

i would go for a rick maas upgrade really well done cooling fans and some great upgrades

[widow_twanky]

Re: Which controller?

Just to point out that batteries will only deliver a certain amount power. Depends on the rating of the battery so it may well be that your battery has just topped out in terms of current it can deliver.

[Chris230291]

Re: Which controller?

Cheers guys.

[typhoon_driver]

Re: Which controller?

featherweight typhoon was a drill motor, gearbox and all. It wasn't actually that impressive a machine.

[Chris230291]

Re: Which controller?

Ow right. Maybe it was the middle weight? I remember you entered into a few catargories in robot wars.

[Chris230291]

Re: Which controller?

Just to point out that batteries will only deliver a certain amount power. Depends on the rating of the battery so it may well be that your battery has just topped out in terms of current it can deliver.

So how would I work out the max current any battery can deliver? In my test I used two 14.2v lead acid batteries in series. (28.4v) there's no ah rating and there not the batteries I intend to use as there really heavy. If it helps ther by apc and out of one of there power backup units designed for computers when theres a power cut. I was thinking of going with lead acid. but I'll wait for you to tell me there pants haha. If you could answer either questions that would-be awesome.

[widow_twanky]

Re: Which controller?

Just to point out that batteries will only deliver a certain amount power. Depends on the rating of the battery so it may well be that your battery has just topped out in terms of current it can deliver.

So how would I work out the max current any battery can deliver? In my test I used two 14.2v lead acid batteries in series. (28.4v) there's no ah rating and there not the batteries I intend to use as there really heavy. If it helps ther by apc and out of one of there power backup units designed for computers when theres a power cut. I was thinking of going with lead acid. but I'll wait for you to tell me there pants haha. If you could answer either questions that would-be awesome.

You should be able to take the details of the battery and google a data sheet. This should give you battery capacity and maximum discharge capacity.

Andy

PS: BTW if it moves around for three minutes then the batteries are good enough

[Chris230291]

Re: Which controller?

Cheers mate that's cool I'll have a look. As for the time I have the equation for that somewhere at home. Cant use the batteries I have, there way too heavy. I'm gonna look into some other lead acid batteries but go for ones with as low amp hourage as I can afford to go as to save weight. My plans are far too complicated I think already for the weight limit. My dad is gonna show me how to cad It. He says we can find a weight and even stress test it (get me) and see where to go from there. Now I think I have all the info I need. (cheers guys!) hope to be fighting as soon as and hopefully with a good reliable machine! I'll try and make some sort of a build diaray along the way too.

Cheers guys