PC Plod Build/Upgrade Log

[The Scrappers]

This will serve as an update log for the heavyweight robot PC Plod which I just purchased from the previous owner for £45. That's a full chassis, drive motors, wheels, weapon motor and most of the electronics for a, currently, 67kg robot for £45. Bargain!
I will be starting simple by just adding a transmitter/receiver and replacing the dead batteries in order to get it driving again. Then I will begin work on adding in an active weapon, as the old spinning disk shattered in a fight in 2000, when it was last used.
As this is my first ever attempt at work on a combat robot I will be documenting any and all changes or advancements I make here. All feedback and advice for a new guy is appreciated.

Integrated Robot Controller Document I was given with the robot: http://www.skunkworx.co.uk/download_files/IRC01A.pdf
Photo Album for PC Plod: https://www.facebook.com/TeamTheScrappe ... 4790554007
Robot Wars Wiki for PC Plod: http://robotwars.wikia.com/wiki/PC_Plod

[BeligerAnt]

Hi, and welome to the forum! However, if you look at the relative volume of posts in each section you will see that this forum is very much focussed on the antweight class. If your only interest is in heavyweights you may well do better over at the FRA forum http://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/forum/

Having said that, you're still welcome here and there are a few heavyweight builders that hang out here (Hi, Team Nuts!) and may be able to give you some advice.

[The Scrappers]

Hi, I'm actually kind of happy that this forum is a bit quieter. As someone completely new to this I don't think I'd be able to handle a barrage of information all at the start. That being said, I likely will have a build log or something over on the FRA forum at some point in the future.

Chances are I'll likely start work on an antweight sometime in the next year or two anyway, so at least I'll get to know a little part of this community by then. Thanks for dropping by, like I said, I'll take any and all advice I can get at this early stage.

[The Scrappers]

Turns out that they're still making the same type of battery that was put into the robot 16 years ago: YUASA NP Series - NP 12-12
Since both myself and the team have effectively no practical experience with combat robotics at this early stage, we've decided that buying the same type of batteries used before is the safest plan.

NP 12-12 Datasheet: http://www.yuasabatteries.com/pdfs/NP_1 ... aSheet.pdf

[Shakey]

I really suggest making a topic on the FRA, you'll get a lot more help and advice there.

[The Scrappers]

I do also have a topic on the FRA here: http://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/threads ... pgrade-log

[The Scrappers]

I've been looking into different 2.4GHz transmitter/receiver pairs over the past few days and I've come to realise that I lack the ability to realise which controllers would work with PC Plod. The robot works off of effectively tank controls, both wheels forward to go forward, both back for backwards and one each way to turn, so both motors can spin both clockwise and counter-clockwise. I know we'll need at least 4 channels, possibly 6, one for each wheel motor and one for the weapon. Plus one spare left over, probably to be added to a srimech when we eventually add one.

So my question to all those with knowledge is this, what sort of things should I be looking for in a transmitter/receiver? Will any of the ones listed below actually work for my needs?

1) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/31167477 ... 7167790761
2) http://www.robotshop.com/uk/radiolink-t ... eiver.html
3) http://www.hobbyrc.co.uk/flysky-fs-i6-6 ... -telemetry

If you need me to give more information let me know, I'll give what limited information I can.

[The Scrappers]

The old integrated speed controller has been entirely removed, cutting the circuitry down to the bear minimum needed to test all the motors. Batteries, through the safety key switch, into the drive motors.
Both the drive motors and the weapon motor appear to be fully functioning. So, with a Sabertooth speed controller ordered and on its way, I'm hoping for a first drive test within the next two weeks.

[The Scrappers]

Looking at the way the front of the robot is designed, the weapon would be entirely ineffective in combat with the bots being so close to the ground. So, we've decided, in an attempt in avoid having to redesign the chassis, to redesign the front plate setup. This should reduce the ground clearance and provide a ramp to force the opposing bot into the spinner.
This is how it looks in a first draft out of scrap metal: