Author Topic: Monster truck UGV platform (Read 5678 times)

roksraka · « **on:** April 20, 2009, 01:36:35 PM »

Hi!

I should probably post this topic under the "electronics" section, but my parental control doesn't allow it...! :-( So, I'm planning to build a really simple UGV (unmanned ground vehicle). I've heard that Tamiya Super Clodbuster can be a great platform. Everybody recommends to modify it when you buy it (change the chassis, suspension etc.). You can also buy it piece by piece and it's cheaper than buying the stock truck and that throwing half of it away and replacing it with better parts. There is no dilemma if you want to build a RC Monster truck. However, I have a problem! Stock truck comes with a speed controller for the main two drive motors. Do I need it too or does the motor shield for Arduino do the job?
I've haven't got the Arduino yet. But I already own a BS2 from the Boe-Bot. However, I would like to switch to Arduino 'cuz it's cheaper and open source. I really haven't made up my mind yet about the microcontroller etc. What hardware do you recommend? Do I need the speed controller? Do you have any experience with UGVs?
Please reply!

Thank you!

Razor Concepts · « **Reply #1 on:** April 20, 2009, 03:17:23 PM »

The Super Clod Buster is an extremely ancient design made decades ago, I would not go for it. Currently the top of the line electric monster truck is the Traxxas E-Revo or Traxxas Summit. They both have electronic speed controllers that take the same signal that servos do, so if the microcontroller can control servos, it can control the electronic speed controller.

SmAsH · « **Reply #2 on:** April 20, 2009, 04:09:04 PM »

just to clarify things a bit, you cannot hook dc motors up directly to your microcontroller you will fry the pin.

madchimp · « **Reply #3 on:** April 20, 2009, 04:34:15 PM »

The Clod Buster was a beast in it's day! But as with all things time marches on and there are far better options as Razor pointed out. The Traxxas Summit is definitely worth a look. It has electronic locking front and rear differentials and a electronically selectable high and low speed transmission. If I had the $$ I would buy one even if I wasn't going to build a bot on it heheh.

roksraka · « **Reply #4 on:** April 21, 2009, 06:33:02 AM »

Quote from: Razor Concepts on April 20, 2009, 03:17:23 PM

The Super Clod Buster is an extremely ancient design made decades ago, I would not go for it. Currently the top of the line electric monster truck is the Traxxas E-Revo or Traxxas Summit. They both have electronic speed controllers that take the same signal that servos do, so if the microcontroller can control servos, it can control the electronic speed controller.

Traxxas is extremely expensive! I only have 500$! Oh, and about the power system... so I plug the speed controller into the servo pin and than...? It probably requires a different voltage than the board. I really apologize for asking such stupid question, but with the Boe-Bot everything is so easy and I'm just a beginner. Could someone post the schematics or at least try to explain how do I wire everything together? How many batteries (and which one) do I need? How do I control the motors etc.?

Please help me!
Thanks!

SmAsH · « **Reply #5 on:** April 21, 2009, 06:57:41 AM »

you will plug the speed controller into the mcu pin that you want to be controlling it, then you will plug your motor into the speed controller...then a few hours later when your code has finished uploading you should hear a zzzzzzzz noise, this means you have succeeded! unless of coarse you have bad hearing and that noise you heard was actually your mcu burning up

get it? mcus don't make a noise when they burn up!

so, back on topic. to wire up a speed controller input on the speed controller gets plugged into an mcu pin, the motor plugged into the motor spot(s) and then you feed your motor voltage into the spot where your speed controller says it should and if your speed controller has a place for a lower voltage to operate the controller itself plug the smaller voltage into that.

sorry if i was being a bit vague about this, ive had a bit of a bad day and couldn't be bothered reading this whole thread again. ill come back on after i have a 10-20min sleep and post something more useful $:-\$ what speed controller are you using to stop me trying to search through this thread?

roksraka · « **Reply #6 on:** April 21, 2009, 07:38:01 AM »

I don't own any motor controllers yet and still haven't made up my mind on which monster truck to buy. Speaking of motor controllers, I'll probably go with the HB-25 motor controller made by Parallax (which I will hook up to a Basic Stamp). Check out the link bellow.

Now, MONSTER TRUCK!
Traxxas monster truck are quite expensive, so I'm thinking of buying one from ebay - probably the e-revo. I'm only concerned about it's speed. I'd like ti to drive a little faster than walking speed.

So, what do you think/recommend?

TeleOPer · « **Reply #7 on:** April 21, 2009, 09:43:25 AM »

Hi...

Nice to know someone is doing the same thing....

I bought a second hand Clod Buster from a shop. Cheap.

With mechanical speed controller... The greedy shop owner managed to convinced me to upgrade to electronic speed drive... and buy batteries etc..

. Not bad thought. As a beginner, it works fine.

(Make sure the servos are OK if you want to buy second hand). Also try to get pdf files of any monster truck from the NET.. Why don't try downloading it first.... maybe could satisfy your needs..??

I also got elekit/owi robot arm and a wireless camera for it.. try to link to computer for remote control... STILL IN PROGRESS... FUTURE???TELEOPERATION!!!!

Razor Concepts · « **Reply #8 on:** April 21, 2009, 10:10:03 AM »

Man, e-revo is built for speeeeeed. Walking pace is nothing for it... with brushless motors you can get 50+.

Do not buy a motor controller, buy an electronic speed controller.
The ESC has the same connections as a servo - however, you must disconnect the center wire (positive) from the Boe-bot board or whatever you are using. ESCs are designed to output 5v from the center wire and that would not be good for your board.

roksraka · « **Reply #9 on:** April 21, 2009, 12:16:15 PM »

Quote from: Razor Concepts on April 21, 2009, 10:10:03 AM

Man, e-revo is built for speeeeeed. Walking pace is nothing for it... with brushless motors you can get 50+.

Do not buy a motor controller, buy an electronic speed controller.
The ESC has the same connections as a servo - however, you must disconnect the center wire (positive) from the Boe-bot board or whatever you are using. ESCs are designed to output 5v from the center wire and that would not be good for your board.

Thanks for help!
However I'm even more confused than I was on the beginning. At first, I wanted a Clodbuster. On some other forums guys said that Clod ages are over. It's time to go Traxxas! I don't know which of theirs monster trucks to pick. They are all quite expensive, and I would like a second hand one...

Razor Concepts · « **Reply #10 on:** April 21, 2009, 03:34:57 PM »

You could get your hands on a second hand e-revo or summit. Do not consider any of their other vehicles for various reasons (e-maxx looks tempting but not a good idea)

roksraka · « **Reply #11 on:** April 21, 2009, 11:03:31 PM »

Why not e-maxx? Everybody said to go for e-maxx. It's much cheaper than e-revo and much much much much much much much cheaper than the summit. Remember, my budget is 500$, and for that money I still have to get the GPS module, speed controller, PING))) sensor and maybe the compass sensor! So, what should I buy??? :S I'm confused!

TeleOPer · « **Reply #12 on:** April 21, 2009, 11:04:34 PM »

Hi...

Try this link for more info.....

http://www.wonderlandmodels.com/about-us/downloads/tamiya/

http://modelism.info.ro/forum/index.php?showtopic=6

Do inform about your progress... I'm looking forward for it...

roksraka · « **Reply #13 on:** April 22, 2009, 07:27:35 AM »

Ok! I narrowed down my pick! E-maxx or E-revo? You pick!

Razor Concepts · « **Reply #14 on:** April 22, 2009, 01:13:43 PM »

If you can afford it, E-Revo all the way.

roksraka · « **Reply #15 on:** April 23, 2009, 07:40:09 AM »

At Beat your truck RC forum, guys said that at slow speeds (what I need) E-maxx performs just as well as E-revo and it's cheaper... I'm still confused. :S E-revo? E-maxx? E-revo? E-maxx? E-revo? E-maxx? E-revo? E-maxx? E-revo? E-maxx? E-revo? E-maxx?

roksraka · « **Reply #16 on:** April 23, 2009, 08:01:51 AM »

One more thing! I will buy one of these two truck online. The difference in price is only 24 euros, that's about 30 dollars (I live in Slovenia)! So, money is not the problem! Again, I need something that could go over rough terrain with speed up to 12 miles per hour. Which one do you recommend?

Razor Concepts · « **Reply #17 on:** April 23, 2009, 10:24:48 AM »

Revo. It is a newer design and will perform better than the Maxx.

roksraka · « **Reply #18 on:** April 23, 2009, 01:58:46 PM »

I heard that E-maxx is better at jumping and dealing with tough terrain. On the other hand, E-revo is better for racing and high-speed cornering (and looks!). Even more confused now.... :S

Razor Concepts · « **Reply #19 on:** April 23, 2009, 03:06:29 PM »

Revo has a far superior cantilevor suspension, go to the videos section on the traxxas web site and you will see how awesome it is.

TrickyNekro · « **Reply #20 on:** April 26, 2009, 10:27:05 AM »

I vote you get summit....
Come on it's hell better than anything...
Only to consider the electronic locks it has is enough for me....
And since an all terrain platform requires a lot!!! Hey, you can get it and then start playing....
I mean playing with microcontrollers...
What is your level of experience at eletronics???
If you are new... I only recommend something cheap, not that you will burn something...
But you aren't going to do rock climbing if you are only learning programming...
Ackerman steering is hard enough to implement already of a new guy...

roksraka · « **Reply #21 on:** April 29, 2009, 03:30:19 AM »

Yeah but the Summit cost...A LOT!!!

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Author Topic: Monster truck UGV platform (Read 5678 times)