I connected a two-channel remote to the rover today and took it for a spin. I learned a bunch from just a few mins driving it around.
- It’s much faster than I thought it would be. The test was at 7.4 volts, which is more than I will have when ready. I found myself driving at 1/2 throttle most of the time.
- The Suspension is a bit too wobbly, more than I thought it would be. May need to redesign with larger poles or double them up.
- It talks a lot fewer amps to drive than I thought. 1.8 amps at startup, .7 amps at full speed. Once I hooked up two servos, they took .9 amps to turn, which was much more than I thought.
- I need to make a limiter for the front pivot. It gets hung up on itself too much.
- I need to get the wires much neater for the real thing. Looks like spaghetti.
Here is the unedited video of it going in rocks, steering was not connected yet.
https://youtu.be/1WbNJOvi_eU
What’s next on the agenda?
Continue solar testing with the PI Zero W and AA batteries. Currently running as I type for 1 day 2 hours and 42 mins. I hope it makes it through the night. This will be its first whole night under solar charge.
Work on propulsion software to control from a remote terminal or web portal. I want to make it run as intended before I redesign the suspension. I will most likely learn more about the suspension with more driving.
Equipment list for this test:
Tires: Yiguo RC 1:10 Off-Road RC Car Plating 12 Spoke Wheel Rims and Gravel Pattern 96mm Tires Black set of 4 (Amazon)
Wheels: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2989944 (Thingverse)
Motors: SODIAL(R) DC 6V 0.45A 200RPM Torque Geared Gear Box Electric Motor (Amazon)
ESC: 10A ESC Brushed Speed Controller For RC Car And Boat Without Brake (Banggood)
Any two or more channel radio and receiver.
Great work.
I respect your hands on work here–I personally am too much of a lurker, just observing others’ experiments and projects. That has got to change, In the meanwhile, it looks like you’re having a great time and learning way more than possible from merely reading about it.
Be well
Roche,
Thanks for the comment. I too was a lurker for a long time. Then I invested in a 3D printer, and that got me to start making things. 3D printing was the gateway for me. Finally, I was able to get something built. I am also happy that I invested in a printer that was easy to use, I did not assemble it I just took it out of the box and started to print.
Get yourself a printer and start building!
Oh, the printer I have now is a MOD-t but they are out of business, and that makes me sad. I am looking at getting a XYZprinting da Vinci 1.0 Pro next, but I have NO experience with that brand or that printer.