RC components help please

[Gow864]

Hi, I want to start playing with some RC equipment. Essentially, I want (for now) just control the speed of the motor with a servo tester. Now, I have NO experience of these things whatsoever, so any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

I have a shopping list of things at hobbycity. Can someone tell me if these thing will work together, I really want plug and play (happy to solder though)

Turnigy 5000mAh 6S 20C Lipo Pack
Turnigy 63-64-A 280Kv 65A Brushless Outrunner
HXT 4mm Gold Connector w/ Protector (10pcs)
Turnigy Super Brain 80A Brushless ESC
Turnigy Servo Tester
GT A-6-10 200W Balance charger & discharger
GT-Power Voltage Analyzer 3 in 1 2-6S

Thanks in advance,
Gow.

 

[Kepler]

That stuff will work OK together. Just the ESC has a question mark on it. You need an ESC with a good softstart and I think at least 100A. The CC range of ESC's are used on ebikes for a very good reason I would recommend to pay the extra and go down that path. Keep in mind none of the sensorless RC setups will move you from a standing start without going out of sync so be aware. Also 6S 5000mah isn't going to get you very far, 5 to 10kms at best. I would also suggest to include a LiPo alarm that monitors the pack at cell level and set the LVA to 3.5V http://unitedhobbies.com/hobbyking/..._Cell_Voltage_Monitor_2-6S_Lipo_(New_Version)

Or even better, one of these http://unitedhobbies.com/hobbyking/..._Name=Cell-Log_Cell_Voltage_Monitor_2-8S_Lipo

 

[Gow864]

Thanks for the reply Kepler. It's not actually for a bike, I'm going to try and convert a "brush cutter" with it. also, I did end up getting a voltage monitor from hobby city, hopefully i'll have it all this week.

Gow.

 

[mwkeefer]

Brush cutter ? Is that like a weed whacker?

If it is a weed whacker, then the CC controller and sync issues are not important since you will throttle it up before committing to cutting brush away... so in your situation even the lower powered sensorless controllers should be ok.

-Mike

PS: I have to add that I've seen tons of people use weed whacker motors (little 2 strokes) for bikes and even skateboards but I've never seen anyone do the inverse... very cool.

 

[AussieJester]

Brush cutter ? Is that like a weed whacker?

I believe so Mike we call them 'Whipper Snippers" down here in OZ Weed whacker is an American term
for them i believe seen it used alot on Motrerdbikes.com forum and yes
alot have used the motors on DIY bicycle setups with great albeit rather ghetto succes haha. You can
actually buy electric 'weed whackers' here in OZ too i guess you could in USofA also but
would be a first to see one converted no doubt!

Kepler perhaps link OP up with the link to the throtliser also? i don't have the details myself.

KiM

 

[evblazer]

I've been using electric yard tools forever but store bought ones only seem useful for people who might have <5000 sqft of lawn or something. I had an old GE ELetrak once that allowed you to plug in a trimmer and other tools to it and run of the big battery on the tractor. Not ideal but it was good for the time.
I wonder if the B&D 18v stuff would work on 24v.. I could put my thundersky pack in my backpack and weed whacker the whole street, but not before I melt the tiny motor in there Then I'll need to copy you and put in a real motor to spin it up. :wink:

 

[Gow864]

I really wanted an excuse to play with some lipos and RC stuff, and this seemed like a good idea. The parts are almost here, I'll put up a build thread when the work proper begins. Of course, being a complete newbie with this stuff, any and all advice is welcome (the part selection was more of a punt than an educated choice).

Gow.

 

[Gow864]

OK, I got all the bits and got them working together (never played with RC stuff before), there was much delight when I turned the servo tester knob and the motor spun into action.

I'm currently modifying the the brush cutter to accept the new (very small) motor, I'll post some pics soon.

Cheers,
Gow.

PS: "Brush cutter" = "Whipper Snipper" = "Weed Whacker" All pretty much the same thing. I think that the term "Brush cutter" refers to those machines with a straight shaft.

 

[liveforphysics]

Batteries and controller in a back pack, and your outrunner mounted to the end of a stick with your weed-wacker head bolted to the rotor, and you've got yourself the worlds lightest most easy to manover weed-wacker ever. lol

 

[Gow864]

I had thought of mounting the cutting head to the motor just as you describe LFP, I was a bit worried about grass wrapping around the motor, so I'm going to just drive the shaft like the infernal combustion engine. I can turn the shaft REALLY easily by hand, so I don't think that it will impose too much "no load" load.

Cheers,
Gow.

 

[Gow864]

OK. I need some help here...

I want use a momentary switch for on and off of the brush cutter, when pushed the brush cutter spins up to full speed and you're away. Question is. How do I do this? Can I leave the servo tester set at full and just interrupt the signal wire from the servo tester to the ESC? will this work? will it do damage? Is there a better way?

Showing my ignorance here.

Thanks,
Gow.

 

[evblazer]

Did you try using the momentary switch? I'm curious to see how that was working out since I was actually thinking of using my RC stuff in a similar fashion. On/off with a toggle switch for the two different current limits with my setup.
Also when I blow my B&D 18v trimmer running it on 24v thundersky I need a plan.

 

[gwhy!]

OK. I need some help here...

I want use a momentary switch for on and off of the brush cutter, when pushed the brush cutter spins up to full speed and you're away. Question is. How do I do this? Can I leave the servo tester set at full and just interrupt the signal wire from the servo tester to the ESC? will this work? will it do damage? Is there a better way?

Showing my ignorance here.

Thanks,
Gow.

the esc will need to have a signal all the time either zero throttle or toggled to max throttle so you will need the switch to connected to the pot. If there is no signal received from the servo tester when you power up the esc the esc wont work i hope this makes sense. So yes it can be done and it will be ok.

 

[Gow864]

gwhy! Thanks for the info, it is much appreciated, and yes it does make sense. I still haven't gotten around to fabbing the mount for the motor yet (been busy with the farm). hopefully I'll get time in the next couple of days.

Cheers,
Gow.

 

[Gow864]

OK, I finally got this thing together. I'ts a bit nasty looking, but will do for a first pass.

I have run it a couple of times and am getting on average 12mins of run time on a single 6s 5Ah turnigy batt. I'm happpy with it. Next I'll tidy it up, figure out a decent throttle system and add another batt.

Cheers,
Gow.
View attachment 2

View attachment 1

 

[evblazer]

Very cool. I snapped the brushes off my black and decker motor in my weed whacker and just replaced the motor/gearing this weekend with a nice outrunner so thanks for posting this for to give me the idea. I swap the battery /controller from my rc ebike but am using a different outrunner on the head epoxied to the spool holder.
I used a smaller outrunner but it seems to be holding up well I picked it because the 8mm matched my spool holder perfectly.
TR50-65B-350/2101 TR 50-65B 350kv Brushless Outrunner
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=2101
Pushed by a throttleizer and castle creations controller backed by 20ah of 8S thundersky batteries. Oy my back.

 

[Gow864]

evblazer, that looks like a nice little motor, I missed that one, it also has a higher Kv. I might give that a try. I would like to try my current motor on a chainsaw. It seems to have bundles of torque.

Cheers,
Gow.

 

[evblazer]

I'm thinking of mounting a small fan on the propeller end of mine for air circulation. It got a little hot after my run mostly because it is in almost fully enclosed on the string end and I ran it on/off for 30 minutes or so. Yours is pretty out in the air so might not encounter the same issues. Except for a little cord with 6 andersons running out of the battery area mine looks identical to this.

 

[REdiculous]

I saw a pic of an old fashioned push mower (..no engine..) that was geared to spin a high-volt DC motor which created power to spin a radiator fan motor which had the strings and was mounted for trimming. I dunno that it worked but it seemed plausible.

I'd do it like you guys (RC&batts..) but I'd make a cart to hold the battery and mount the trimmer head like that guy did. Two wheels and some conduit might work. It's less maneuverable that way but it looked like you could basically mow with it and your back/arms wouldn't get sore.

Like they said..good idea!

 

[evblazer]

REdiculous that isn't a bad idea. I think I've actually seen some gas power string trimmers that were on wheels for serious duty like maybe cutting high weeds in an wooded area or something. If I find a broken one or can find a suitable doner I may go that route instead of carrying a 13lbs of batteries on my back although I do plan on buying a lighter pack for my bike soon and leave the 13lb beast :lol: to my power tools.

I am currently trying to put together an electric self propelled walk behind mower approximately 38" cut, non rc based probably with my old etek for the deck. It would be nice to have a string trimmer on one side to edge against the fence and stone while I mow next to it.
My 19" mower used about 50% more current to run then the string timmer does and I think it cuts faster and cleaner on the grass so for the big lawn I think I want to keep it to blades.

 

[REdiculous]

DR Power Equip. (you've seen the commercials..) has a heavy duty trimmer like that...that might be the one you were thinking of. http://www.drpower.com/standardcontent.aspx?page=fab_inq_no

I'm not affiliated..just being thorough..linked for reference. later

 

[evblazer]

The exact model I was thinking of is
http://www.drpower.com/twoStepInqui...n=5571686585&gclid=CI2aqPLByqECFZFV2god-nAkhw