Difference between revisions of "RC Lawn Mower"
From Makers Local 256
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== Status == | == Status == | ||
| + | * New Approach: So far this project has been building a RC Mower, Preaux suggested a new approach, build an RC frame that a lawn mower attaches to. This will allow you to change out what you're driving around, including an RC Drink Cooler. | ||
| + | * Drive System: The Motors do not have a slip differential built into them, meaning that when they get jammed on something, the motor will keep turning and eventually burn itself out. Preaux suggested using a friction drive, where the thick rubber wheels connected to the motors lay up against the bicycle wheels. As the motor turns, the bicycle wheel will turn in the opposite direction. If the wheels hit something, the motor will turn grinding against the bicycle wheel instead of on itself. Probably bad for the wheel, but those are cheaper to replace than motors. | ||
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=== To-Do === | === To-Do === | ||
| − | + | * Purchase 22" metal plating to stretch across the back of the chassis. This is where the motors and associated circuitry will be mounted. | |
| + | * Purchase Another length of Square tubing. | ||
| + | * Select new bicycle wheels. The current ones are from a previous design that have been welded to not move. | ||
| + | |||
=== Completed === | === Completed === | ||
{| border="1" | {| border="1" | ||
| + | | Preaux welded steel tubing mounts to the frame where the rear wheels will mount || June 26th, 2010 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| Pumped up tubes with bicycle pump (in jeff's car) || May 24th | | Pumped up tubes with bicycle pump (in jeff's car) || May 24th | ||
|- | |- | ||
Revision as of 09:45, 28 June 2010
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Creator: |
Contents
[hide]Overview
Remote Controlled (RC) Lawn Mower that Ratmandu was talking about.
See example here: http://members.iinet.net.au/~tnpshow/RCLM/intro.htm
We have a mailing list for the mower here: http://lists.makerslocal.org/mailman/listinfo/rcmower
Pictures of the progress we're making are available here: RC Lawn Mower/Pictures
Volume 22 of Make Magazine Features a DIY RC Lawn Mower: http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=9780596807177
Calendar
- June 26 2010, 1:00pm - 2:00pm: RC Lawn Mower Intro & Build Meeting
Status
- New Approach: So far this project has been building a RC Mower, Preaux suggested a new approach, build an RC frame that a lawn mower attaches to. This will allow you to change out what you're driving around, including an RC Drink Cooler.
- Drive System: The Motors do not have a slip differential built into them, meaning that when they get jammed on something, the motor will keep turning and eventually burn itself out. Preaux suggested using a friction drive, where the thick rubber wheels connected to the motors lay up against the bicycle wheels. As the motor turns, the bicycle wheel will turn in the opposite direction. If the wheels hit something, the motor will turn grinding against the bicycle wheel instead of on itself. Probably bad for the wheel, but those are cheaper to replace than motors.
To-Do
- Purchase 22" metal plating to stretch across the back of the chassis. This is where the motors and associated circuitry will be mounted.
- Purchase Another length of Square tubing.
- Select new bicycle wheels. The current ones are from a previous design that have been welded to not move.
Completed
| Preaux welded steel tubing mounts to the frame where the rear wheels will mount | June 26th, 2010 |
| Pumped up tubes with bicycle pump (in jeff's car) | May 24th |
| Purchased tubes for the bicycle wheels. Took measurements and marked the steel tubing that will attach the chassis frame to the lawn mower | May 22nd |
| Omegix Continued Ratmandu's angle grinding effort to smooth out weld spots on the chassis | May 19th, 2010 |
Had our first build on the weekend of May 14th
|
May 14,2010 |
| Had our first meeting may 8th. Came up with a design similar to the one in the example link above, except no castor wheels in the front and using bicyle wheels in the back, attached to the motor via bicyle chain. Currently looking for metal for the chassy. | Omegix 12:10, 10 May 2010 (CDT) |
Meterials
Potential Materials
- Bicycle Gear Chains
- Bluetooth to Serial module (for controlling via internet)
Materials On Hand
- On Switch (provided by Preaux)
- Big Red Momentary Kill Switch (provided by Preaux)
- Could put this in between the wire connecting to the spark plug
- Two 8" swivel castor wheels ($14 each)
- Metal Bars for chassis (See metal chassis from example above)
- Purchased 20' of 1" 14 gauge square steel for $18. ($14 for the bar, $3 to have it cut)
- Two 48"
- Two 22"
- One Solid piece of whatever was left.
- Two Bicycle Wheels
- Two tubes purchased for the wheels. ($6 each)
- Lawn Mower (retrieved from Makers Local craigslist add: http://huntsville.craigslist.org/wan/1715017438.html) ($30 for two mowers)
- Sea Foam (engine cleaner. the mower took a bit to stay running the first time we cranked it). $10
- Omegix has in the trunk of his car.
- Motor Control
- The Current Victor 883 on the board has a burned out FET, causing the motor to only spin in one direction. Ratmandu said he might be able to fix it with tools like what he has at work, but not with the soldering tools at the shop.
- PreauxPhoto has one of these available: http://www.firstwiki.net/index.php/Victor_884
- This microcontroller will take in PWM and output enough current to drive larger motors
- Motors
- PreauxPhoto has 12V DC Motors
- Battery (for powering the electric motors)
- Spacefelix said he would donate his battery in the storage room to the project if we wanted it
- Battery (for powering the electronics)
- RC Transmitter and Receiver Unit (hobby RC receivers output PWM signal)
- PreauxPhoto has
