RE: WiFi HMMWV update + gearing question [TANKS]

["Pete Curran" <petesboyz-at-punkass.com>]

Doug,
I am very interested in how you did the WIFI controls, as I am looking
at embedding a laptop within my tanks and controlling them over a WIFI.

Pictures and diagrams welcome

Pete 
www.angelfire.com/mech/sherman


-----Original Message-----
From: tanks-admin-at-rctankcombat.com [mailto:tanks-admin-at-rctankcombat.com]
On Behalf Of Doug Conn
Sent: Monday, 1 May 2006 14:26
To: tanks-at-rctankcombat.com
Subject: WiFi HMMWV update + gearing question [TANKS]

Well, my WiFi controlled HUMVEE had its inaugural ride this afternoon.
This
was just the chassis, it doesn't have a turret, weapon, or body yet. One
day, I'll post some pictures. :)

It was a measured success. The WiFi control and streaming video worked
well.
I didn't give it the max range test yet. I need to improve the driver
application to use a joystick or game controller. Right now, I just use
the
keyboard and mouse and it's very tricky. My steering is way too stiff,
but I
think I know how to fix it.

The biggest problem was too little drive power. I use a geared down 12v
wiper motor, and I planned to drive it at 24v to get the RPM back up to
snuff. I started out running the vehicle at 12v and it was extremely
slow.
When I bumped it up to 24v, the motors balked. It sounded like a cat in
a
blender. These motors worked fine when I tried them with a straight 24v,
but
over-driving them with a PWM speed controller was just too much for
them.

So, I'll be replacing my motor. Assuming I have the space for a large
sprocket, is there any problem with a single-stage reduction system of
about
7:1 ? I seem to remember someone saying that 3:1 per stage is good
limit,
but I can't find that message. Does anybody know of a good reason to
avoid a
single stage high ratio reduction and go with two lower ratio stages ?

        Thanks,
        Doug