quote:

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Originally posted by Nick:
Question : What do people use for invert switches? I heard that mercury tilt switches were bad, so I was thinking about a reed switch and a magnet on a hinge.

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Why dont u just use the invert channel on the IMX.

I would gather u would need to be able to steer in both directions with your design so u have everything to do that already as well as have a status led that also lets u know when radio is on, when failsafe kicks in and when inverted.
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Bots that do not destroy you, only make you stronger.

You are right George! I had some idea the IMX had a switch input (which it doesn't). Since Subliminal doesn't need a channel for weapon control, I can use the 3rd channel on my wheel radio for inverted driving - one less part to break!
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Australian 2015 Featherweight champion
UK 2016 Gladiator champion

I did a quick electronics check and amazingly everything works This bot might have a low-profile subliminal look, but there is nothing subliminal about the noise it makes - those thingaps are noisely! Ah well...

I found what I think is the smallest practical reciever battery, a 6V, 300mAH NiMH battery meant for mounting on circuit boards. It will need regular charging but its hardly bigger than the reciever.

More design work on the wedges; I found the perfect screws to retain the wedges:





but the bad news is that they are $1.07 US each and I need 28 of them. The demo version will just have to make do with ordinary bolts.
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Australian 2015 Featherweight champion
UK 2016 Gladiator champion

What is so special about these bolts?
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So even the rain that falls isn't actually going to fill our dams and our river systems

These are called 'shoulder screws', its not obvious from the graphic, but the smooth part of the bolt is wider than the threads so that when its screwed into a plate, you get a post with a bolt head at the top - ideal for spacing two sheets apart or holding a bearing. They are expensive because they are case hardendand & wear resistant

What I am looking for is a hinge with no moving parts except the wedge itself, extreme strength and limited travel - I think I have all that but it needs a good thrashing in the arena. I will post a photo when I have made a demo wedge in a week or two.
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Australian 2015 Featherweight champion
UK 2016 Gladiator champion

You never know what you will learn next with robots.
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So even the rain that falls isn't actually going to fill our dams and our river systems

The new radio battery looks promising although it is much larger than it looked in the catalogue:





It is like a short C cell and weighs 40 grams less than the AA cell pack on the right. It is made from a stack of 5 large button cells in a thick plastic sleeve
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Australian 2015 Featherweight champion
UK 2016 Gladiator champion

And how long do you expect it to last?
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Tim Team Reaper.

Ahem, NFI

Anything longer than 5 minutes is OK - I figure its probably good for about 30 to 60 minutes and only testing will tell. If it lasts that long, I might not need a spare during recharges.

I am guessing that the reciever current draw is fairly constant whether you are driving the bot around or not, so I will leave everything switched on and measure radio range and battery voltage every 10 minutes until I lose radio control. If I get a lot longer time, I will probably get an even smaller battery to save more space.
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Australian 2015 Featherweight champion
UK 2016 Gladiator champion

LOL is it realy necissary?

Its only a wedge bot and you should have plenty of weight shouldent you?
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Tim Team Reaper.

Well, that's what I'm telling people but I have plans for some pretty heavy armour.
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Australian 2015 Featherweight champion
UK 2016 Gladiator champion

Hey Nick,

do u have or anybody else have which they no longer need those old school reciever batt holders, basically a black plastic case and u just slot the batts in, SOrta like what u would find at dick smiths or something. Its the one on right im talking abuot in pic above so peeps no what the hell im talking about

If anybody has one they dont need could i buy it off u or whatever as im going to buy some descent cells from jaycar and use it to power reciever as the pack i have now is a bit suspect

Thanks in advance
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Andrew Welch, Team Unconventional Robotics

Do you mean like the one in the photo? Its the only one I have at the moment but if the new battery works out you can have it at the event. It came withthe radio and has a slider switch and plug for the reciever .
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Australian 2015 Featherweight champion
UK 2016 Gladiator champion

An extra few grams on the reciever pack isnt gonna weaken your armor that much
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Tim Team Reaper.