Build Log | Caractacus - Any Tips?

[willcaddy]

Turnigy ESC's Mod worth it?

Hello again everyone,

The 30 amp ESC's will do the job for a 2WD machine with batterydrills.
But once you go for more power,like using Ranglebox Saturns, or the old style Groupner Speed 900 it will get iffy.

The Tz85's have proven to be rock solid, so I would suggest to bite the bullet.

It's also easier to find replacements during life events, as a lot of UK feathers use the 85's.

Thanks a lot for your reply! Sorry I have only just replied, I forgot at the time like a pleb ¬_¬


Its been a little while because of christmas and stuff but I would just like to ask some advice on the Turnigy ESC's.

I saw this post about reprogramming the Turnigy 85a ESC's to work with the Spektrum DS6i. Being as It is taking a little while to get the BotBitz 85a ones I was wondering if this is a worth while thing to do to save time and money or is it better in the long run to wait and get the BotBitz purpose made ones? Also if so could these be reprogrammed again to work with brushless again if the need arises?

I'm eager to get started thats all but just wondering if its worth being patient and getting them off of Ranglebox.com or should I go for the reprograming option with the Turnigy ones?

Hope that all makes sense xD

Thanks a lot for your help in advance.

Will

[R9000]

Absolutely. I bought the TZ85s straight from Hobby king along with an Atmega programming tool, which means you don't have to solder the programming wires on. Just make sure you leave all three output wires on when you convert to brushed, and you should be able to revert back to brushless just fine, so long as you have a hex file for it.

[willcaddy]

Absolutely. I bought the TZ85s straight from Hobby king along with an Atmega programming tool, which means you don't have to solder the programming wires on. Just make sure you leave all three output wires on when you convert to brushed, and you should be able to revert back to brushless just fine, so long as you have a hex file for it.

Oh, awesome thank you xD I didnt even know something like this existed!

Just to make sure its this speed controller and this programmer isnt it?

Also what usb AVR flashing tool would you recommend?

Thanks again

Will

[R9000]

That's the one. Make sure you get a suitable LiPo and connectors.

[willcaddy]

Thanks xD plus interesting thought :-)

That's the one. Make sure you get a suitable LiPo and connectors.

Thanks mate, I will do

An interesting thought occurred to me while looking up clutches for my old nitro car. Would a nitro engine be:

A) allowed in robot wars
B) powerful enough

My reasoning is that unless you have a 2 stroke engine you are liable to stall if flipped upside down. Would a little nitro engine with its extra power from the fuel type be a worthwhile thing? Sounds like a cool idea thats all even if its not a good idea ha ha

Whats your thoughts?

Thanks again

Will

[Theo]

I would add two small spikes or protrusions on each side so that you can ram opponents while the axe won't be obstructed by them driving right up to it. I mean spikes as in the spikes on tornado's scoop, something that size.

[willcaddy]

UPDATE: Gearboxes and motors done :-)

Hello everyone,

Been a little while since the last update because money hasn't been kind to me lately! But I have managed to lock the motor gearboxes off so they are turning as one now. Once I have the money I will be picking up a pair of botbitz 85a brushed esc's from ranglebox. In the mean time I am going to have a go at some cad designs and maybe a cardboard or wood prototype so I can gage the size's of things. Let me know if you have any suggestions!

Here is the video I made for it: https://youtu.be/-oQ7Z5hIcBI

Thanks xD

[willcaddy]

SketchUp Models Available

Hey everyone!

I finally managed to get my speed controllers so I have started to sketch all of the parts I am going to use in Google SketchUp. I don't know how many of you guys will find it useful but as I'm making them I'm uploading them to the 3D Warehouse. I have made a collection and will be adding to it over the next few weeks I hope!

Here is the link to the collection: https://goo.gl/n62Z8m

And here is my first every model: https://goo.gl/NyhMD9

Combat Robot Thumbnail.png

Thanks guys as always!

Will

[willcaddy]

Im on a roll now xD I have managed to attach the wheels to the motors, draw up some sketches in Google SketchUp for what i want it to look like, hack a PC power supply to power the Turnigy Accucell 6 LiPo charger i have got and mounted the motors to a chopping board for a test bench! Just one more video to go and it will be up and running as far as the electronics xD

Here are the videos

https://youtu.be/ARI8lT62TXE

https://youtu.be/CVemeKzKmGw

https://youtu.be/FQTJtObznQM

https://youtu.be/p0ur9bYeL0g

[Giles]

I like the build progress videos, wish more people did those. Keep going!

[willcaddy]

I like the build progress videos, wish more people did those. Keep going!

Thank you! Means a lot that you enjoy them

[willcaddy]

UPDATE: Its alive! Plus 3D Printing Stuff xD

Hello everyone!

Again apologies for the massive gap in posts! I ran out of money again lol I have a new job now so im getting back into building and 3D Printing parts xD Here is the latest few video updates! It actually works now and i have created some 3D Printed parts to mount different parts of the robot. I plan to make these out of Polymaker PC Max when i get a enclosure built

https://youtu.be/ezHUsyQd9_w

https://youtu.be/fst5TBajKHk

https://youtu.be/LVHLuZKOexk

Let me know what you guys think!

If anyone has any tips on building the chassis and armour out of HDPE and the best sources then please let me know!

Also if ya'll can poke Sam from Team Hatchet and direct him to this thread that would be much appreciated lol I need all the help i can get with the axe mechanism!

As always thanks for all your help! I hope i can be ready for one of the live events soon!

[Outlaw]

Hey Will

Best source that I found, and a bunch of other people have lead me to, is directplastics, which does a bunch of HDPE in various thicknesses and sizes, depending on how big you want the sheet to be.

As for the axe mechanism, I wish I could help but I'm doing my own trial and error testing with my own axe mechanism, haha.

Best of luck to you!

[willcaddy]

Hey Will

Best source that I found, and a bunch of other people have lead me to, is directplastics, which does a bunch of HDPE in various thicknesses and sizes, depending on how big you want the sheet to be.

As for the axe mechanism, I wish I could help but I'm doing my own trial and error testing with my own axe mechanism, haha.

Best of luck to you!

Thank you very much for the reply! I hope your axe testing goes well!

[Maxamuslead]

for the axe mech i suggest going for the simple scooter motor chain reduction as it works will