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Spockie-Tech
Site Admin
Joined: 31 May 2004
Posts: 3160
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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Hard specifications dont actually mean much when it comes to robot motor controls, they are mainly a way of comparing different models rather than literal statement of "it will take x, but wont take X+1 amps."
Because motors are inductive, drivetrains and robots have different inertia, magnet strength (and hence feedback spikes) vary, batteries vary, radio response curves, and drivers vary, one motor that stalls at 20 amps might blow a controller quite easily while another that stalls at 70amps wont.
Sustained current ratings are also affected by airflow, heatsinking, battery impedance (how well it holds voltage under load), and duty cycle, so you cant really pin a hard number on it either
The IBC has been tested to handle surges of over 100 amps per channel without destruction (it went bang at about 120).
Realistically, if your motors stall at under 50amps each, you *should* be ok.
I've been running them in all our bots for 5 years, and never blown a controller due to over current yet. 2 drill motors up to 24v it will handle easily. 4 drills at 12v, probably, and 4 drills at 18-24v, probably not unless you are careful.
If you want a very powerful drivetrain, Victors are definitely the go.
The key with the IBC is the "I" bit. Integrated. It includes weapon controls, mixing, flip and 2 motors controllers in one easy to connect board. Its certainly not as indestructible as other controllers, but it is a whole lot more convenient, easy to wire and cheaper.
Victors require mixers, booster cables (sometimes), weapon relay controllers and about 5x the wiring. (do they have Bec's ?)
However, an IBC may not be an option for much longer anyway. Jason is running low on stock, and isnt sure he will have time to continue production of them past this batch, so if anyone wants one, get in quick !
I might offload some of my surplus robot gear soon, so I might have a couple for sale, Just havent got around to adding it all up yet.
Or you could buy some "480 turbo amp" hobby speed controllers from the RC car shop, and discover how some people have very different ideas on just what an "amp" actually means _________________ Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people
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Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:16 pm |
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Spockie-Tech
Site Admin
Joined: 31 May 2004
Posts: 3160
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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Prototypes are easy.. production is hard. which is why I leave it up to jason
Bulk ordering of parts (pay up front for stock), lead times, Assembly, QC issues, testing, Warranty's, payment and shipping are all non-design issues that your average electronics guru doesnt want to have to deal with - me included.
But dont worry, if Jason decides he cant do it anymore, we will see if we interest Robot Power or someone like that in continuing production of them.. they might even get cheaper with auto-assembly if hes interested. _________________ Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people
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Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:28 am |
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