Author Topic: New RC robot project  (Read 15311 times)

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Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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New RC robot project
« on: December 16, 2007, 10:17:54 PM »
Hello, I'm planning yet another project. (are you getting pissed because I keep changing and just gather information from you without using it?)

It will be (might be if I actually decide to make it) like a tank with a webcam on top.

Here are the things I want to buy:

1. http://www.budgetrobotics.com/shop/?shop=1&cat=51&cart=533785 (base-chassis)
2. http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/JS-6/search/6-CHANNEL_TRANSMITTER_AND_RECEIVER_.html
   This will be the radio system. However, it says in the note that you need to use a microcontroller module to      separate the channels (do I have to do that?)
3. http://servocity.com/html/spt100_pan___tilt_system.html (to hold and move the webcam)
   For the pan and tilt I need two servos. I have two HS-311s at home but they are continuous rotation. Will those work? I believe it will work for the horizontal pan but not the tilt right?
4. A webcam I already have (I have a question about sending the footage to a computer, it is at the below).

OK, question about webcam: how do I make the webcam send the live footage to a computer but wirelessly? Will that cost a lot? Or should I just buy a wireless webcam? I don't want to buy a new one because I already have a $40 one.

If there are any contradictions please notify me. Thank you.
« Last Edit: December 17, 2007, 11:32:48 AM by garriwilson »

Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #1 on: December 17, 2007, 11:33:46 AM »
By the way, my budget will be about $200.

Offline airman00

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #2 on: December 17, 2007, 02:06:53 PM »
OK, wireless cams to the internet cost much $$$. What you might be able to do is to either use Zigbee or maybe have a regular RF camera and then connect the output to a laptop's videocard


Or , maybe just use wireless USB hubs or just bluetooth USB hubs.


All of the above interfaces can be bought online and also they could be made by you as well.
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Offline JonHylands

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2007, 03:08:46 PM »
You really don't want to use continuous rotation servos for tilt or pan. You really can't pan the camera all the way around, unless the camera has a built-in battery and is wireless, and you put the tilt servo below the pan one. Otherwise, the wires will just get twisted up...

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #4 on: December 17, 2007, 04:15:02 PM »
Quote
should I just buy a wireless webcam?
definitely the easiest way . . . have you tried ebay?

so to transmit camera data requires a lot of bandwidth . . . probably easier to just use a CMUcam/AVRcam, or put your laptop on your robot . . . you can get a ipaq or some other handheld computer that has a webcam driver, too.

Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #5 on: December 17, 2007, 09:30:19 PM »
I mean I could get this but I think it's a little pricey. Is $90 pricey in the world of these:

http://servocity.com/html/2_4ghz_color_video_system.html

?


Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #6 on: December 17, 2007, 09:38:57 PM »
Thanks to this post by gshoger, (http://www.raidentech.com/miwicocaspyc.html), I found out about this:

http://www.raidentech.com/miwicocaspyc.html

I need to know if:
1. I can apply my pan and tilt system I listed above to this
and
2. How do I plug it into my computer or TV?

Offline airman00

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #7 on: December 18, 2007, 05:37:57 AM »
I need to know if:
1. I can apply my pan and tilt system I listed above to this

Why not?


2. How do I plug it into my computer or TV?
I have the same type camera. To connect to a TV you just plug the RCA plugs from the reicever into the TV. TO connect to the TV you need a RCA to USB capture hardware
http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/ad02a.html
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Offline ed1380

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #8 on: December 18, 2007, 07:19:27 AM »
I mean I could get this but I think it's a little pricey. Is $90 pricey in the world of these:

http://servocity.com/html/2_4ghz_color_video_system.html

?


youd need to buy teh transmitter/camera and the receiver

look at sparkfun they had a small wireless cam, and someone posted one like sparkfun's but cheaper. sry couldnt fint it
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Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #9 on: December 18, 2007, 11:36:43 AM »
Oh sorry, wow I didn't notice there were two separate parts. Crazy prices!

Quote
Why not?

How would I attach it? Isn't it like a circuit board?

And for the HEX Radio system, is the microcontroller channel separator difficult to make? Could I use my $50 dollar robot board? Thanks

So, I have to get the 100$ cable??? No way Jose! LOL

Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #10 on: December 18, 2007, 02:18:28 PM »
Hey, I whipped up a new list:

1. Awesome deal (4channel transmitter, receiver, 2 servos for just $110)
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXBCP2**&P=0

2. Chassis with third deck (about 75$)
http://www.budgetrobotics.com/shop/?shop=1&cat=51&

3. Futaba pan&tilt system from servocity.com ($20 plus ship+handling)

4. 12 rechargeable batteries from a local store (I'm estimating about 20-40 bucks)

So about $200-250. Considerable.  :D
« Last Edit: December 18, 2007, 09:58:33 PM by garriwilson »

Offline airman00

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #11 on: December 18, 2007, 06:19:50 PM »
What about the camera. have you decided what you'll use?


also, the chassis is a rip off   - make your own out of plexiglass for a 1/4 of the price
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Offline ed1380

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #12 on: December 18, 2007, 07:39:50 PM »
+1 on price of the body

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Offline airman00

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #13 on: December 18, 2007, 07:49:16 PM »
+1 on price of the body



What does that mean?
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Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #14 on: December 18, 2007, 09:17:18 PM »
Quote
What does that mean?
Yea, I second that.

Quote
What about the camera. have you decided what you'll use?
thanks I forgot to put that
here: http://www.raidentech.com/miwicocaspyc.html

Two problems: what the heck is plexiglass and I don't really have any tools. (It's so pathetic I don't even have a power drill.  :'(

And even with the servos it's a ripoff?

I'll find out what plexiglass is on google.
« Last Edit: December 18, 2007, 09:21:40 PM by garriwilson »

Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #15 on: December 18, 2007, 09:55:36 PM »
I heard that tracks are hard to tension and get perfect. Should I just use wheels if I decide to make my own chassis?

Also, If I do make it, I'm probably going to use HDPE from McMaster.com

Can HDPE be cut be a utility knife? I mean relatively easy. I know that chassis is kind of a ripoff. If I had the tools, I would so make it.

Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #16 on: December 18, 2007, 10:34:12 PM »
How do I know what kind of batteries or battery pack I need for the transmitter and receiver in this:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXBCP2**&P=0

I am pretty sure I need a 4.8v battery pack for the receiver, but for the transmitter how do I know if you put in alkaline batteries or attach a battery pack?

Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #17 on: December 18, 2007, 10:40:59 PM »
I want to get this battery (FUTABA): (http://www.servocity.com/html/4_8v_600mah_nicad_battery.html) the FUTABA one because my receiver is Futaba. But then the only NiCd charger says Hitec!!! Are they compatible.

Here is the charger: http://www.servocity.com/html/cg-25_charger.html

Offline airman00

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #18 on: December 18, 2007, 10:47:45 PM »
I heard that tracks are hard to tension and get perfect. Should I just use wheels if I decide to make my own chassis?

Also, If I do make it, I'm probably going to use HDPE from McMaster.com

Can HDPE be cut be a utility knife? I mean relatively easy. I know that chassis is kind of a ripoff. If I had the tools, I would so make it.


I prefer to use plexiglass ( basically plastic glass , think hockey rink walls ) because it looks cool, but HDPE is much easier to work with.
I cut HDPE with a jigsaw
I actually bought this hobby tool - its a jigsaw , chisel, and sander all in one. It works well too ,@ only 50 bucks

http://www.sciplus.com/singleItem.cfm/terms/7948



Also just use wheels instead of tracks. And put a caster in front or back.
I want to get this battery (FUTABA): (http://www.servocity.com/html/4_8v_600mah_nicad_battery.html) the FUTABA one because my receiver is Futaba. But then the only NiCd charger says Hitec!!! Are they compatible.

Here is the charger: http://www.servocity.com/html/cg-25_charger.html

Looking at the picture of the charger , i cannot tell its ratings. It probably is compatible, but too make sure find a battery that IS MEANT to be compatible with that charger. Then we'll be able to figure it out. ;)
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Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #19 on: December 19, 2007, 11:53:47 AM »
I want to get a battery pack over a battery holder because a battery pack has the connector thingy on the end and I don't know how to attach a battery holder to the receiver pins.

I might get that 3in1 tool but I'll ask my dad, he probably has a ton of tools at work maybe he could bring some. ?

I'm kind of a beginner and since HDPE is easy to work with I'll just stick with it. I might use plexiglass for future projects though. (This is my second project after the $50 robot).

So now I need to work on the design of my "robot." Also I heard that it is better to put the caster in the back. Is that true?

And airman00 thanks for telling me the chassis was a ripoff. I could use my already modified HS-311's from the $50 robot. So I'll only need to buy some tools and HDPE.

P.S. I've almost never worked with power tools, only power drill.

Offline airman00

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #20 on: December 19, 2007, 12:46:01 PM »
why don't you just get a regular AA holder and buy a rechargeable AA charger and 4 rechargeable AA batteries???

What do you mean by put the caster in back? Back relative to what?

I think you're saying that you should have the motorized wheels in front , since pulling is better than pushing, and then the caster would be in back. Yea, then you should have the caster in front.

I would suggest you download Google Sketchup and make a 3D model of it, to scale. The model should be exactly like you want it , even with the drill holes.

Get the 3in1 tool, and you'll be working with HDPE with ease. What you need to work with HDPE is a drill, some  type of saw (handsaw, jigsaw is good) , sander( optional, but makes it smooth.
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Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #21 on: December 19, 2007, 01:01:24 PM »
Because the regular AA holder doesn't have the molex pins that you plug into your receiver. It has a black and a red wire with the metal just sticking out.

Quote
Yea, then you should have the caster in front.
you mean in the back?

I mean in the back like if there are 3 wheels, the ones with the servos are in front when it's going forward.

Yea I decided to get the 3in1 tool because I'm saving money on the chassis.

Thanks for the tool link airman00.

Offline airman00

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #22 on: December 19, 2007, 01:03:08 PM »
Because the regular AA holder doesn't have the molex pins that you plug into your receiver. It has a black and a red wire with the metal just sticking out.

you mean in the back?

I mean in the back like if there are 3 wheels, the ones with the servos are in front when it's going forward.


Oops , yeah i meant in the back. With the servos in front , thats the best.

Also, why don't you just get a molex pin connector and crimp it onto the wires of the battery
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Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #23 on: December 19, 2007, 01:20:38 PM »
Don't have a crimp tool-  :-[ .

I might get one in the future, but for now it's not necessary.

And there are only two wires
« Last Edit: December 19, 2007, 01:39:57 PM by garriwilson »

Offline airman00

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #24 on: December 19, 2007, 02:24:52 PM »
Well yeah, power and ground. Some batteries have 3 wires, but thats just two wires form power and one from ground( unless its 2 batteries in one ) meaning theres total of lets say 6 batteries. The 3rd battery has a power wire coming from it ( which si 3V lets say) and the 6th battery has a wire which is 6 V. And they obviously share a common ground
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Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #25 on: December 19, 2007, 02:44:26 PM »
Ok, I still don't have a crimp tool.

So, it doesn't matter if you only have two wires in a three pin molex connector and you connect it to the battery pins which has 3 pins sticking out?

Offline airman00

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #26 on: December 19, 2007, 02:54:56 PM »
So, it doesn't matter if you only have two wires in a three pin molex connector and you connect it to the battery pins which has 3 pins sticking out?

it does matter , what i was saying is to find out what each pin needs

lets say pin 1 and pin 2 are for power and pin 3 is ground. SO from the positive wire from teh battery you would solder on a second wire. All you are doing is giving the components what they need
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Offline garriwilsonTopic starter

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #27 on: December 19, 2007, 03:02:55 PM »
OH Sorry, now I understand it perfectly. My bad.  :-[
I'll try to find some information about the receiver.

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #28 on: December 19, 2007, 04:55:50 PM »
Quote
I don't know how to attach a battery holder to the receiver pins.
http://www.societyofrobots.com/electronics_wire_connector.shtml

Quote
Also I heard that it is better to put the caster in the back. Is that true?
It strongly depends on what your robot needs to do. There is a good post about it hidden somewhere in the forum if you do a search on casters.

Offline airman00

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Re: New RC robot project
« Reply #29 on: December 19, 2007, 05:16:26 PM »
Yea, i asked that question awhile back

anyway here is that post http://www.societyofrobots.com/robotforum/index.php?topic=2224.0
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