RC Nerf Tank

My first ever Instructable, yay!

This was one of the more fun projects I've attempted and I'm fairly pleased with the results.

Most of the parts and skills used in this project are from my fighting robot hobby. It might seem like a complex project but anyone with basic handy-person skills and willing to do the research could build a similar machine.

Anyways I'll let the rest of the Instructable do the talking, enjoy!

Step 1: The Design

I'm not much of a computer aided design guy, I tend to get a picture in my head and go with that. I made a list of things I wanted the machine to include. Some made it and some didn't. You can also clearly see how good of an artist I am.

Comments

[bohb]

Can you please post a parts list?

[hunter1125]

Does the nerf gun have a "sloppy" trigger (hard to pull back) or a "hair" trigger (easy to pull back)? I am trying to build an rc turret and use an airsoft gun with a relatively light trigger pull, but the servo I am using seems like it doesn't have as much power to pull back the trigger.

[ber2000]

its a soft trigger ive used before and really easy depends what type of nerf gun ur useing?

[travis7s]

I can't check because I sold the gun.

But I would say the Vulcan has more of a hair trigger when running on full auto battery mode. (since the trigger is just activating an electric switch) When you put the gun in manual mode its tougher because the trigger has to release a spring.

I was just using a standard Hitec servo which was rated at about 50oz-in of torque.

Try making the arm that pulls the trigger as short as possible, it will be able to transmit more force. For example, my servo can transmit 50oz-in, so if the arm was 2in long it would only transmit 25oz of force. (approx)

[hunter1125]

Ok thanks. I think I might need to find an electric gun because it can't pull back a spring that well.

[weegee13xd]

How much would you charge for a complete system minus the computer and the sound system?

[hobbitboy]

what nerf gun is that

[pack77wood]

VULCAN

[travis7s]

A 'Vulcan'

[m4a1sopmod]

where did u get that trigger mechisim and how much was it

[travis7s]

Its an RC servo. It is a Hitec HS-311. You can get them at local RC hobby stores or at online places like servocity.com for $9.

[pack77wood]

what about home hardWARE

[Jedrokivich]

You can get 'em cheaper at hobbyking.com. Their cheapest one is about $2.
Great shipping prices too.

[travis7s]

The servo that activates the laser is actually from Hobby King, I just happened to have lots of the Hitec ones kicking around.

[[corosive]]

why did you need the black box? was the camera wireless, or did you have to have it wired to something, and how was it powered?

[travis7s]

The camera itself is wireless, it runs off a 9v source. It transmits to the silver receiver box which is designed to plug into a TV to display the video. Most laptops don't have the RCA connectors that a TV has, so I needed the black box to convert the RCA input to USB.

[pack77wood]

could you actully hook the camera up to the tv cause it would make it alot cheaper for me

[keeeneth]

hi do you think it would be possible to combine both a pan and tilt system for the gun?

[Jedrokivich]

What is the range of your RC system?

Now, the big question: How fast does it go?

[adhimahajan]

Its 50 rpm . in the first few steps he wrote that

[badideasrus]

i think he means how fast does it go forward....

[urtlesquirt]

airsoft machine gun anyone?

[etm34]

im thinking about doing this using 2 brushless motors, but im having trouble figuring out what i could use, anyone have any ideas. will they have enough power?

[travis7s]

I'd stick with brushed technology. Finding good reversible brushless controllers can be difficult and expensive.

[Furball_Fidelis]

not really..Hobbyking.com has some decent Brushless Speed controls... some are $100 or less

[Urrn]

Hobbyking.com has brushless speed controller (esc) for a model airplane or helicopter for $20 or less

[Furball_Fidelis]

True, but they aren't big enough for a project this size...need more amperage....otherwise you'll just fry the ESC

[GASSYPOOTS]

make it do a barrel roll

[KarateLover21]

relay = 1.50
servo = 15.00

[travis7s]

Yes but how are you going to send the fire signal to the relay? The servo has circuitry to use the signal from the receiver. Also you get can servos for <$5 these days.

[jcharbonnet]

what servo u use

[sbracco]

You should've wired it to the gun. The servo was a good idea too though.

[sub893]

can you use the vulcans tripod instead of the turret and mount it at 1 place?

[pitla_james]

how do you control the tank,what did you use as a controller

[deqwer]

at least you hide the switch inside or something just don't let your enemy found it so easy.

[Chowmix12]

Hell March FTW!

[playpep]

i want to build a 1/4 scale rc tank.. how do you wire the motors. and how does the steering work.

[adhimahajan]

you can buy the motors ,chassis , wheels , battery , wireless module(evrything) From robokitsworld.com . Choose the ps2 controller take the 54.68 dollar one and NOT the 39 one as it doesn't have the motor driver.

[zack247]

i think its much like a tank, to turn right, the right motor turns off, and the left keeps going, and so on

[Jedrokivich]

Are you insinuating that your job is driving a self-propelled nerf gun around?
(if so I want that job)