Haynes Manual Build a Robot

[Ocracoke]

Single controllers are indeed easier to get hold of and there are plenty to choose from but it is a more complex build because then you've got two separate sides as opposed to a easy to manage single dual. For a beginner, a dual is far easier since it all managed on the board.

I have all the other parts (minus the actuator) so can start assembling and wiring up what i have and get my plywood base ready and go from there

I know the feeling, I have all the parts for The Honey Badger 3 but a lack of wheels and motors is a problem :P

[AdamST180]

Yeah I read that thread and still keep coming back to the feathertwo as others say rubbish or cost a fortune lol

This is all untested ground for me and not got the courage yet so disassemble the drills and cut the wires

[Incontango]

Hi

I used a Feather 2 in Madusa and it was great. However, in the second fight at Manchester and after getting flipped 000's of times Mdausa stopped working. Having checked everything it was the ESC that will not longer sync up with the TX and everything else was fine.

I emailed nuts and bots and had a reply that they dont know when they will be in stock again. Alex could not even give me an estimate so I assume they are having some issues sourcing components or something. He did suggest I contact Rory about the possibility of a repair so there is some good after sales / fight service if something does go wrong.

I was happy to wait for a new one but given the event in June I might have to bite the bullet and get something else.

Cheers

Jon

[Rapidrory]

Hi all,

The issue with the FeatherTwo stock is entirely down to me struggling to find time to make them now I'm employed full time. I'm working on a new batch atm but progress is slow.

The Feathertwo's aren't necessarily bad speed controllers. When they work they are very good. However they're very hit and miss regarding reliability.

I wasn't aware there was any major reliability issues? Almost all failures that have been reported are either from being plugged in backwards or the motor wires had been shorted, which will kill almost any ESC. On the whole they've been remarkably reliable from what I've heard so far, though would be interested to know if there are any more examples of failures in combat.

[Theo]

I think it may be a confusion due to the recent issue with The Honey Badger (I don't know anyone who doesn't read the build thread), I'm actually amazed they survived a reverse voltage like that, barely any other ESCs can just recover like that.


Obviously this is me speaking for someone else, I may well be wrong.

[Incontango]

Hi

Sorry if I wasnt clear in my post but the FeatherTwo has been spot on for me which is why I am after another!

During the second fight the ESC was not properly housed and basically was flapping around inside Madusa (I forgot to the shock absorbing paint roller in which should have housed the ESC and Lemon RX). Madusa took some huge hits and got flipped so high up we needed a telescope to see its descent (as can be seen on the fight video!!) My guess is that something has just come loose.

Congrats on the job - I hope it is doing something you enjoy!

Cheers

Jon

[James Williams]

Sorry Rory. That's supposed to say Sabretooth's.

[AdamST180]

Hi all,

The issue with the FeatherTwo stock is entirely down to me struggling to find time to make them now I'm employed full time. I'm working on a new batch atm but progress is slow.

Im going to push ahead with my prototype and get it built and all the pieces laid out and ready and hopefully you will have had time to get some of these made by then

[AdamST180]

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Finally started drawing out a rough design that will be cut from 10mm plywood (guy at my work can do it quick and free)

All I need is the ESC and then can get this running, sizes set so far at 500mm wide, 300mm base, 200mm top with the wedge joining and the sides and bulkheads are 10mm thick same as all pieces.

Wheels will run on the outside at the back and thinking ball castors at the front corners maybe

Motors will be cut out of the drills and mounted above the batteries, all seems to fit size wise so fingers crossed

[Ocracoke]

Looks good - ball castors work fine through I find that they do wear pretty quickly when being tested on a road/pavement. Keep a spare about for when you are in the arena.

[AdamST180]

Saw this one linked on the Speed Controller thread on here

https://www.robotshop.com/uk/scorpio...or-driver.html

Seems quite pricey but a better buy than a Sabertooth?

[Theo]

It all depends, my Sabretooth has been fine, no issues. And it's a good few years old now. However they're usually great... until they die suddenly. Scorpions will probably last longer, but it's pot luck with a Sabretooth.

[AdamST180]

https://hobbyking.com/en_us/hobbywin...d-60a-esc.html

Is something like this any good?

[Ocracoke]

No, that particular controller will run both motors from the same channel, so you'd only go forwards and backwards. You'd need two and a mixer somewhere to allow the robot to turn, which I think Luna-Tic does use.

[AdamST180]

No, that particular controller will run both motors from the same channel, so you'd only go forwards and backwards. You'd need two and a mixer somewhere to allow the robot to turn, which I think Luna-Tic does use.

Ohhh ok i get you, just trying to find something relatively cheap for my first attempt in case i blow it up lol