RE: Still looking for some "mentors" [TANKS]

["Doug Conn" <dwconn404-at-comcast.net>]

Amir, Chris, Yasu, and I got together for tank talk and Italian food.
Afterward, we went to a nearby park for the third test voyage of the WiFi
HMMVW. This iteration featured the upgraded drive motor (350 watt scooter),
an e-bay acquired IFI Robotics speed controller, and the PC joystick
operator interface.

I cruised around the parking lot for a bit and a weld on my drive wheel
broke. Amir and I applied the duct tape that got us back on the road. There
was also a tiny, itty bitty, little collision with a parked car ! No damage,
but a little white paint was left behind. The car was occupied at the time,
but fortunately owners occupants didn't mind (or even notice). In fact, they
had us to talk to their grandson about the HMMVW.

We drove it around for a while longer in the park, not the parking lot.
Finally, another mechanical failure forced us to stop. The video worked well
and the operating range was good. At one point, operator and vehicle were
separated by about 80m without a problem.

The HMMVW is in the shop now and recovering nicely. My welding still sucks,
however. The next time out, the vehicle will have 

1. Battery current and voltage telemetry 
2. Brakes !!!!!!
3. Maybe a turret motor


        - Doug "Raised My Insurance Rates" Conn



-----Original Message-----
From: tanks-admin-at-rctankcombat.com [mailto:tanks-admin-at-rctankcombat.com] On
Behalf Of JOHN PITTELLI
Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2006 5:11 PM
To: tanks-at-rctankcombat.com
Subject: RE: Still looking for some "mentors" [TANKS]

Hmmm, sounds like you might want to share a story with
us?Eh?

John"magic smokemaker"Pittelli


--- Doug Conn <dwconn404-at-comcast.net> wrote:

> 7) Test your vehicle in a remote, secluded area.
> 
>  
> 
> Amir, Chris, and Yasu were on hand to help me learn
> that :-)
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>             - Doug
> 
>  
> 
>   _____  
> 
> From: tanks-admin-at-rctankcombat.com
> [mailto:tanks-admin-at-rctankcombat.com] On
> Behalf Of Amir Tahvildaran
> Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2006 2:53 AM
> To: tanks-at-rctankcombat.com
> Subject: Re: Still looking for some "mentors"
> [TANKS]
> 
>  
> 
> Hey Gordon,
> 
>   Check out the Related Links section for places to
> get stuff:
> http://www.rctankcombat.com/links.html   I like
> american science & surplus
> and surplus center.
> 
>   My first attempt has been to copy cat T005.  
> 
>   Some lessons:
> 
> 1) buy more expensive parts off the bat instead of
> trying to make cheaper
> stuff work (motors with gearboxes, good bearing,
> maybe even motor
> controllers) IMO its not worth your time 
> 
> 2) favor screws over bolts whenever possible
> 
> 3) tack on a digit then double your estimate for
> completion
> 
> 4) don't redesign on a whim - get it all working,
> see what breaks, then do
> the simplest thing that could possibly work
> 
> 5) an adrenaline rush when using a table saw means
> you're doing it wrong
> 
> 6) wear sunscreen
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> 
> From: Gordon Saunders <mailto:kw4cz-at-triad.rr.com>  
> 
> To: tanks-at-rctankcombat.com 
> 
> Sent: Friday, June 09, 2006 8:36 PM
> 
> Subject: Still looking for some "mentors" [TANKS]
> 
>  
> 
> Hi to all,
> 
>  
> 
> Still hoping someone is near my area of Greensboro,
> NC that is willing to
> answer a LOT of questions.
> 
> Granted, I am about an hour or so drive from the
> Tank Museum in Danville, VA
> 
> That's an option .. but I like the "bigger" tanks 
> :-)
> 
>  
> 
> Where is a good place to start looking for buying up
> a few pieces of "stuff"
> to start out with ... motors, hardware, etc.
> 
>  
> 
> Got a looooong way to go to get going ... picking
> out a plan and getting
> started.
> 
>  
> 
> Any suggestions on what was  YOUR  first attempts ??
> 
>  
> 
> Thanks!
> 
>  
> 
> Gordon Saunders
> 
> 


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