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Step 4Motor Controllers, Batteries and Switches
For the Motor control, we mounted the HB-25s behind the motors to leave room for the batteries. Again, we used the #6 flat head bolts.
To mount the motors to the HB-25s, we cut the motor wires to length and used crimped connectors. We left some slack in the motor wires, but not so much that we needed zip ties to hold them. Once we crimped the connectors on, we soldered them too - hate to have a loose connection there! :-)
For the batteries, we were in a hurry, and used NiMH C cells. Realy anything to get you to 12v is fine. We've used Lead Acid Gel cells, but those seem to fail after a few years since we don't manage them as well as we could, and having standard cells allows us to use alkalines as a backup before events and demos!
Yes, there are better C cell holders - what can we say? We were busy, and Radio Shack was close. :-)
We added a lighted power switch. Again, mounted below the base to keep the top clear, and we extended it just past the back to make is easier to get to. We'll be adding a handle, so backing up and hitting the switch is less likely.
We added second switch and battery pack for the servo control board, but the USB power may be enough for the HB-25s since they don't draw much power on the signal side.
The switch brackets were just made from some angle aluminum we had around.
To mount the motors to the HB-25s, we cut the motor wires to length and used crimped connectors. We left some slack in the motor wires, but not so much that we needed zip ties to hold them. Once we crimped the connectors on, we soldered them too - hate to have a loose connection there! :-)
For the batteries, we were in a hurry, and used NiMH C cells. Realy anything to get you to 12v is fine. We've used Lead Acid Gel cells, but those seem to fail after a few years since we don't manage them as well as we could, and having standard cells allows us to use alkalines as a backup before events and demos!
Yes, there are better C cell holders - what can we say? We were busy, and Radio Shack was close. :-)
We added a lighted power switch. Again, mounted below the base to keep the top clear, and we extended it just past the back to make is easier to get to. We'll be adding a handle, so backing up and hitting the switch is less likely.
We added second switch and battery pack for the servo control board, but the USB power may be enough for the HB-25s since they don't draw much power on the signal side.
The switch brackets were just made from some angle aluminum we had around.
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