Nanoweight Parts

If Fleaweights are just too big...

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Rapidrory
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Re: Nanoweight Parts

Post by Rapidrory »

Also, sub gram accurate scales for ~4 is a useful addition for anyone building Nanoweights: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jewelry-Elect ... 2755&rt=nc
Rory Mangles - Team Nuts

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AntRoboteer
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Re: Nanoweight Parts

Post by AntRoboteer »

If somebody could answer these questions for me I would be very grateful as I want to get a nano going (mainly to cluster with one of my other robots):

1) Which chargers do people use for their NanoTech 60mAh batteries (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... duct=63088) and do they automatically start and stop or are you left to your own devices?

2) What is a mini molex connector? Is it the same as a JST 1.5mm connector?

3) Those servos look fiddly. I therefore want to use gear motors of some kind if possible. Servo boards are mentioned as the recommended motor drivers but which ones? Would SG50 boards do the job?

Thanks everybody!
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BeligerAnt
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Re: Nanoweight Parts

Post by BeligerAnt »

"Mini Molex" is a rather vague description of a connector! Molex (http://www.molex.com) are a manufacturer of many, many different styles of connector several of which could be described as "mini".
JST (http://www.jst.co.uk) are another manufacturer of connectors, generally more consumer-focussed than Molex and popular with all sorts of model RC uses. Again, they make many different types of connector, possibly also several different "1.5mm" styles.
It is possible that there are equivalent Molex and JST parts, but you would have to do some research to figure it out.
Gary, Team BeligerAnt
AntRoboteer
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Re: Nanoweight Parts

Post by AntRoboteer »

Thanks for your reply! I'll examine that more closely.
It appears people don't know which chargers they are using for their own batteries then so I think I'll give those a miss as I can't find a suitable one.

Therefore, I was thinking of soldering a connector of some kind to something like this:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/GP-batte ... 87294.html

Would they be of any use to power a nano?

Thanks for your help!
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BeligerAnt
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Re: Nanoweight Parts

Post by BeligerAnt »

I can't imagine those NiMH battery packs working very well for a nano. Nano really does seem to be the one place where you *need* LiPos!

For the original LiPo batteries you posted, these adapters look like the right connector to adapt to the common JST connector which most LiPo chargers will accommodate.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... rness.html
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... _2pc_.html
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... _bag_.html

The first one will work for a single cell (and up to 6 cells in parallel) but charging cells in parallel really can't be recommended.
The second one will work for charging 2 cells, but you really need a pair of cells that you treat equally. You could easily modify it to only connect a single cell.
The third one is only an extension lead but could be used as part of an adapter.
The first one is the best solution, but ignore 5 of the connectors and just use it as a 1-cell adapter.

If you have one of the many generic LiPo chargers such as
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... oduct=5548
then you can set it to a single LiPo cell and the minimum charging current and you will be OK.
The Nanotech 60mAh batteries can be charged at 2C rate (= 120mA), so the minimum charging rate of 0.1A (100mA) of the common LiPo chargers will be OK.
Gary, Team BeligerAnt
AntRoboteer
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Re: Nanoweight Parts

Post by AntRoboteer »

Ah, so they charge at 120mA. Thanks! Was looking for that everywhere!

I don't have any LiPo batteries at all so no, I don't have a charger for them. I don't really want to shell out a load of money for something I won't use though and the options on those balance chargers may confuse me and I could end up burning the house down. :-)

However, I have found these USB chargers that look a lot less complicated:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Micro-Lipo-US ... 339a09fb51

Would that be suitable?

I have a USB power supply so I could use that, it claims to charge at 100mA and also appears to have the right connector so it should be OK but I just need to make sure before I buy it.

Thanks!
Rapidrory
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Re: Nanoweight Parts

Post by Rapidrory »

The cheap lipo chargers are pretty simple to use; I use one of these for charging my Nanos and it works fine. http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbyking/st ... ouse_.html

Plus, you will struggle to do any damage with a 60mAh lipo. I've shorted one before (not intentionally unfortunately..); after a while there was a little pop and it released a funny smell, but that was about it.
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Remote-Controlled Dave
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Re: Nanoweight Parts

Post by Remote-Controlled Dave »

Most lipo chargers let you know the instant you do anything wrong with a loud beeping noise. You can't just plug one in and leave it charging whilst it blows up, the chargers won't let you.
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peterwaller
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Re: Nanoweight Parts

Post by peterwaller »

Not sure of the weight but I thought these might be of use so I have ordered 20 for £16.06.
When you consider they have two independent motor gearboxes that is cheap.
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/20PCS-Mi ... 23748.html
They were difficult to find I had to trawl through 18 pages of gearmotors, I will let you know if they are any good.
They are quite fast so small wheels or further gearing might be required.
Rapidrory
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Re: Nanoweight Parts

Post by Rapidrory »

Nice find! They look similar to a pair of hacked servo drives in a single case. It being tiny and all plastic gears, I would be very surprised if it was above 10g. Certainly useable at least.
Rory Mangles - Team Nuts

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NanoTwo Motor Controllers: https://nutsandbots.co.uk/product/nanotwodualesc
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