I got annoyed at dual booting I would try VMware first as it doesn't involve any hardware. Its perfectly usable for solid works and the trackpad doesn't end up shit.

Any USB3 Hdd will work for running windows off the mac and shouldn't be any issues installing just make sure you backup everything.

Steve
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Steven Martin
Twisted Constructions
http://www.botbitz.com

I am thinkind as my mac is usb 2.0 i would boot it off the thunderbolt connection or firewire as its faster.

Also running virtual has potential to suck more hardware plus i need 3 programs to buy and run perfctly so more to go wrong. think id rather dualboot.

Solidworks seems verrry expensive i just had a look.
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Tim Team Reaper.

Just download Virtual Box, it's free and is just as good for the average user as VMWare in my experience. Works a treat on OSX and I don't find it heavy on hardware at all. It's awesome to be able to load Win10 install with Solidworks 2014 already running in under 10 seconds.... Try that with DualBoot! Also saves you having to add additional HDD's or externals.
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https://www.halfdonethings.com/

Where may i find solidworks at a roboteer price
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Tim Team Reaper.

The same places you've been able to find it for the last decade
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https://www.halfdonethings.com/

What brushless drive escs are people using these days? are they pre programmed with no delays etc or is botbitz supplying them?
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Tim Team Reaper.

No brushless on our part @ BotBitz. Arron has done some experiments but nick is probably one with most practical experience.

Steve
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Steven Martin
Twisted Constructions
http://www.botbitz.com

Quite a few car ESCs are instant reverse, you just have to read the extra fine print. These Hobbyking models are a good start: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__33984__Turnigy_Trackstar_150A_GenII_1_8th_Scale_Sensored_Brushless_Car_ESC_PC_Programmable.html
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Australian 2015 Featherweight champion
UK 2016 Gladiator champion

Always tricky reading the chinese specs on escs lol.

Some dont even mention direction or brake.

Do you just look at the programing cards n see if it has the opion of no brake and set delay? anything els to look for?
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Tim Team Reaper.

The type of car the ESC is meant for is a good indicator; if the ESC has a 'crawler mode' its got full reverse, usually with no delay. Looking at the programming card is also a good idea.
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Australian 2015 Featherweight champion
UK 2016 Gladiator champion

awesome thanks for the tip!
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Tim Team Reaper.

Have been building a couple of lifepo4 packs with balance boards.

Built two so far and the first one 4 cells out of the box has been working fine but i built another 8 cell pack using the same brand parts and the right cell count balance board.

i notcied while charging the lights came on for the first and last cell during charging/balance.

I did not think much of it since it was a pack made from unevenly balanced cells two from one pack and 6 from another and i think the two cells from a diff pack did end up being the first and last cells but anyway the first and last cell ended up venting.

I did think however that the cells were still close to being even as i always stored the packs fully charged but i guess not.

Yes its my bad for not individually balancing them first but i would have thought the balance circuit should have cut off first or balanced them not overcharge them and cuase them to vent.

Is this a combo of crap balance management and me or could there something els going on? Just exploring all ideas incase i have missed something.

I was using this http://www.evassemble.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=209


Can anyone reccomend a safe high quality bms that can be relied on.
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Tim Team Reaper.

mixing between batches to make a pack is a bad idea
a small difference in internal resistance when you push it hard could cause the higher resistance cells to heat a whole bunch more than the others.
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Mechanical engineers build weapons, civil engineers build targets

Same batch of cells. i made 2x 6cell packs then made one into a 8 cell pack.

The 6 cell packs were only charged and dischared 2 times so i would have thought it would not matter to repack them.

They were charged at 7.5amps and these cells say they can be charged at much higher levels.
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Tim Team Reaper.

oh it went boom on charge?
the balance circuit on most chargers is an afterthought at best.
it will only balance a small current like 100ma or less I'll wager.
Ideally when any of the cells overvolt it should cut out the main charge current but that is betting on the charger manufacturers writing good software.

what was the charger?
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Mechanical engineers build weapons, civil engineers build targets