Help with first antweight

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Belianno
Posts: 9
Joined: Sun Dec 03, 2017 9:33 pm

Help with first antweight

Post by Belianno »

Hi there.

My Robot Wars-mad 9-year old has been hassling me for ages to build a Battle Robot with him. So, I’ve relented and plan to start with an Antweight. Problem is I have no electronics knowledge, zero mechanical knowledge, I’ve never soldered and basically have no clue. So......should be a cinch. I’ve been been researching on the net and found you guys and hoping you can help me!

We want to build a flipper similar to the one here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSPDW0f_MZU&t=541s . I plan to buy pretty similar parts to this video and I’ve listed below what I’ve bought or thinking of getting. I’d appreciate advice on the ESC and receiver in particular, but also generally on the pasts list.

So far I’ve bought a transmitter (splashed out on a 2nd-hand Spektrum Dx6i ) and drive motors (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/N20-DC- ... 0.0.OrnLS8)


Beyond that, I’m thinking of:

Battery - https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy-nan ... -pack.html

Receiver – thinking of https://hobbyking.com/en_us/orangerx-r6 ... w-cppm.html - would that work OK?

ESC – The guy in the video didn’t seem keen on the DasMikro 2S6A for a flipper and his alternative was Rory’s NanoTwo which Rory doesn’t seem to be selling at the moment. Really appreciate advice on what ESC would work well – I think I need a BEC....

Servo for flipper - https://hobbyking.com/en_us/aerostartm- ... tore=en_us

Any help would be much appreciated!
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GeorgeR
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Location: Bath, Somerset

Re: Help with first antweight

Post by GeorgeR »

Hi, welcome to Antweights.

The transmitter and motors certainly look good.
The battery is a very good option, but you may want to look at the smaller/lighter 180mAh version, (the downside being I can only find it as a 5 pack currently?) - https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy-nan ... -5pcs.html

The most recommended receiver would be the LemonRX DSM2 feather light, I can't say i've investigated receivers much, but if they're recommended by Rory and Alex then that's good enough for me. Get the Top or end pin version for easiest connection, or the no pin to save some weight if you don't mind extra soldering. - http://www.lemon-rx.com/index.php?route ... ry&path=59

For the esc one of Rory's NanoTwos is the best (and it includes a Lemon receiver), but as you have seen there are availability issues currently. I've been testing a DasMikro and it works fine, it's a good bet if you don't want to wait for a NanoTwo. (it's worth mentioning that the DasMikro does need the connectors soldering on, it doesn't come fully assembled)
You don't need a separate BEC, almost every esc has it included.

For a servo the pink TGY-306 seems to be the best option, loads of robots run it and it certainly gives a good flip.
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigytm-t ... c-21g.html

As for other parts, the robot in the video had a 3d printed chassis, but assuming you don't have access to one, polycarbonate sheets (1 or 1.5mm) are an excellent material for the chassis. For wheels, I absolutely recommend the ones made and sold be Shakey, his shop is here - https://nutsandbots.co.uk/
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peterwaller
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Re: Help with first antweight

Post by peterwaller »

Hi and welcome.
George has answered your questions but there are just a couple of things.
First the motors are only 70 rpm so the robot will be extremely slow we normally look for 300 - 400 rpm at 6 V.
Also you say you bought a secondhand DX6i which is a great transmitter but the older ones were DSM2 compatible and the later DSMX with some in the change over period compatible with both so it is important to check which it is to ensure you get a receiver that is compatible.
Good luck and hope to see you at an event soon.
Peter
Belianno
Posts: 9
Joined: Sun Dec 03, 2017 9:33 pm

Re: Help with first antweight

Post by Belianno »

GeorgeR wrote:Hi, welcome to Antweights.

The transmitter and motors certainly look good.
The battery is a very good option, but you may want to look at the smaller/lighter 180mAh version, (the downside being I can only find it as a 5 pack currently?) - https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy-nan ... -5pcs.html

The most recommended receiver would be the LemonRX DSM2 feather light, I can't say i've investigated receivers much, but if they're recommended by Rory and Alex then that's good enough for me. Get the Top or end pin version for easiest connection, or the no pin to save some weight if you don't mind extra soldering. - http://www.lemon-rx.com/index.php?route ... ry&path=59

For the esc one of Rory's NanoTwos is the best (and it includes a Lemon receiver), but as you have seen there are availability issues currently. I've been testing a DasMikro and it works fine, it's a good bet if you don't want to wait for a NanoTwo. (it's worth mentioning that the DasMikro does need the connectors soldering on, it doesn't come fully assembled)
You don't need a separate BEC, almost every esc has it included.

For a servo the pink TGY-306 seems to be the best option, loads of robots run it and it certainly gives a good flip.
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigytm-t ... c-21g.html

As for other parts, the robot in the video had a 3d printed chassis, but assuming you don't have access to one, polycarbonate sheets (1 or 1.5mm) are an excellent material for the chassis. For wheels, I absolutely recommend the ones made and sold be Shakey, his shop is here - https://nutsandbots.co.uk/
Thanks so much GeorgeR! That's really helpful - really appreciate you taking the time walk through all this.

I have a stupid question on the DasMikro I'm hoping you (or someone else) can help me with. I've seen it here - https://www.banggood.com/2S6A-Micro-Dua ... rehouse=CN, but there appear to be two options:

Option A: Dual Bi-Directional ESC with internal tank mix control function (2 motor mix control, signal 1 control forward/backward, signal 2 control left/right)
Option B: Dual Standalone Bi-Directional ESC (signal 1 control motor B, signal 2 control motor A)

Appreciate advice on which one I should use for a flipper. (Note: There's an Option C but it's out-of-stock so hopefully I don't need that one!)

Thanks again
Belianno
Posts: 9
Joined: Sun Dec 03, 2017 9:33 pm

Re: Help with first antweight

Post by Belianno »

peterwaller wrote:Hi and welcome.
George has answered your questions but there are just a couple of things.
First the motors are only 70 rpm so the robot will be extremely slow we normally look for 300 - 400 rpm at 6 V.
Also you say you bought a secondhand DX6i which is a great transmitter but the older ones were DSM2 compatible and the later DSMX with some in the change over period compatible with both so it is important to check which it is to ensure you get a receiver that is compatible.
Good luck and hope to see you at an event soon.
Peter
Thanks a lot Peter. Thankfully, I'm 99% sure I specifically asked for the 500rpm version in the comments section of the order when I ordered because that's what the guy in the Youtube video suggested. There are no markings on the motors so fingers crossed they're the right ones!

Thanks for pointing out the DSM2 vs DSMX thing. I'll check it before ordering a receiver. Much appreciated - I could have wasted some time and money there!

All the best.
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peterwaller
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Re: Help with first antweight

Post by peterwaller »

Option A is the normal one to use this gives the mixing required for normal driving so elevator channel give for/rev and aileron channel gives steering.
Belianno
Posts: 9
Joined: Sun Dec 03, 2017 9:33 pm

Re: Help with first antweight

Post by Belianno »

peterwaller wrote:Option A is the normal one to use this gives the mixing required for normal driving so elevator channel give for/rev and aileron channel gives steering.
Great! Thanks again Peter.
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