e-Lawnmover build

agniusm · Aug 14, 2013

i have some parts laying around doing nothing and i need to purchase some sort of lawnmover. my plan is to make it RC controlled so i dont have to go out in heat and get dirty, and i like such gadgets

What i have is 2 sets of scooter wheels, 10" for front, i have adopted them to be free spinning on steering axis. I have 2 same size wheels for the back with 55T sprockets and i have 2x100W motors, i think they are MY10something(16?) i think i will use them in 12V fashion to slow them down.
My question so far is, can i use this controller: http://www.dimensionengineering.com/products/sabertooth2x12 to avoid PPM to PWM mess? Would 2x100W motors suffice to move lawnmover? At this moment i will use ICE powered blade but for the future what power requirement i have to look for the motor to make it fully electric?
Thanks

Tommy L · Aug 14, 2013

Lots to look at on Youtube. Search RC electric Lawnmower.

Tommy L sends......

[youtube]xYoxCsltIqc[/youtube]

John in CR · Aug 14, 2013

Make it smart like those automatic lawnmowers. ie Turn it on and only cursory supervise it.

dogman dan · Aug 15, 2013

If you get a chance, watch the movie Frankenhooker. Guy chews up his fiancée with his RC lawnmower gone wrong. :lol:

Then, naturally, tries to revive her, but is a bit short of parts.

Tommy L · Aug 15, 2013

dogman said:
the movie Frankenhooker

lmfao!

Tommy L Sends......

RoadWrinkle · Sep 7, 2013

How about an indoor RC vacuum cleaner as well? The mower is a GREAT idea.

agniusm · Oct 31, 2013

So i finally decided to go with it. i will be using conventional gas mover with electric drive system. I have bought Sabertooth 2x25 dual brushed controller. I have couple of My6812 100W motors, i need some input on these if they will be capable to run the mover?! I will use 4 x 8" wheels from scooters i bought:

I am really trying to keep it low cost.
Anyway i have two 9T sprockets, one 54T and one 55T sprockets. One motor spins faster than the other so it should equalize and there is adjustments that could be done.
I am thinking on using 2 x 20C 6S lipo bricks. Thinking to get Zippy Flightmax, are they OK? The controller has programmable LVC and for charging will use my BC168 charger.
I have bought X-412 Graupner transmitter, one like this:

I would like to find remote on/off switch for the receiver but the ones sold are 5-6V out and i need 12V if someone knows, let me know

I am thinking about getting wireless IP camera, they are not that expensive so should be good to mow from the house in a shade

All mowers on the net/tube are rear wheel drive but i would like to make it FWD, cause it just makes more sense regarding maneuverability. Is there something i am missing here?
Good stuff

agniusm · Nov 21, 2013

Got some stuff sorted. First, have built wheels, they are 8-1/2" of Chinese scooters i had bought for parts:

Rear wheels, forks adapted from wheelchair:

Testing Sabertooth 2X25 dual brushed controller:

RC controller:

Testing vid:
[youtube]clMMFDkHHZg[/youtube]

agniusm · Nov 24, 2013

Have upgraded controler with active cooling using old PC heatsink and fan:

Have figured out how to mount both motors using some pipe. It will work as structural member:

agniusm · Nov 28, 2013

Have chose wireless HD camera for this project, dont know why but it assimilates with "Short Circuit", "Wall-e" movie robots

Bought some rubber grommets ti try and make a stand for camera to reduce vibrations:

agniusm · Dec 1, 2013

Few other parts arrived:

Time to start shopping on donor lawn mover. Looking into 50cm blade option.

agniusm · Dec 2, 2013

Battery is finished:

AussieJester · Dec 2, 2013

RoadWrinkle said:
How about an indoor RC vacuum cleaner as well? The mower is a GREAT idea.

I have remote controlled vacuum cleaner, it's one of them automated jobs, cleans by itself OR you can sit on lounge and use the remote to control it, cost about 300 bucks, works a treat, let it run at night wake up to clean floors..

KiM

agniusm · Dec 3, 2013

Started putting together box of tricks, still waiting on few components:

agniusm · Dec 5, 2013

Little progress while salvaging my electronics pile.

agniusm · Dec 6, 2013

More progress:

Relay from washing machine for CCTV camera switch, cause RC remote switch is good for 500mA

Found a voltmeter that i had but forgot about it:

Works:

[youtube]dNEJv7ZoRYw[/youtube]
Good practice to always keep electronics, wiring looms from microwaves, washing machines etc. Lots of spare parts, wires, connectors

agniusm · Dec 10, 2013

Some maintenance on motors. smoothed out commutator, will replace brushes:

agniusm · Dec 11, 2013

Received my charger today. So far, good news. Charger did not blow up plugging battery +/- and balancing wires first and then into 220V. I have connected battery to charger and left it overnight to see if charger discharges somewhat the battery:

If all is good and the charger does not discharge battery too much or at all, my initial plan on making drive in charging port is full go and i am fitting charger on board:

agniusm · Dec 16, 2013

Today my WiFi cctv came:

Also have received DC/DC converter

Some demonstration on RC remote 7 way switch, LED's, cooling fan and camera relay control.
[youtube]B-8q_nnCq9c[/youtube]
CCTV camera has big IR leds, when testing you can hear relay clicking and switching on those led's. Here is a quick test of it in the dark. Video of my wife coming from dance class:
[youtube]qL4IxwXYmsE[/youtube]
I'm just afraid of the camera lag over the air.

dmwahl · Dec 18, 2013

Following...

Tommy L · Dec 18, 2013

great work here!

Tommy L sends.....

agniusm · Dec 26, 2013

The donor:

56cm width, 3.75HP engine. needs to be repaired so i will see how that goes

agniusm · Dec 27, 2013

Well, it went good. The lawn mover donor is alive:
[youtube]cSNgKOlQ6og[/youtube]
Got all disassembled:

Something for proper wire routing:

Will be working on chassis next.

agniusm · Dec 27, 2013

Here are couple sketches of wheel layout. Rear turning wheels are far away from chassis, don't know if leave it like that or look for smaller hard core wheels for smaller radius:

dmwahl · Dec 30, 2013

agniusm said:
Here are couple sketches of wheel layout. Rear turning wheels are far away from chassis, don't know if leave it like that or look for smaller hard core wheels for smaller radius:

Personally I'd use large wheels over smaller ones, easier rolling over the grass. Just my opinion though.

e-Lawnmover build

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