@Aaron: definately a useful device for bench testing. Shame it wont do datalogging though - I understand some BESC's have built in datalogging but i imagine that these features would be rendered null by reprogramming the BESC for brushed operation in this fashion?
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<Patrician|Away> what does your robot do, sam
<bovril> it collects data about the surrounding environment, then discards it and drives into walls

Well if it has the datalpgging hardware I can hack that into my code as well.
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Steven Martin
Twisted Constructions
http://www.botbitz.com

looking at the part I have a small concern, it uses the switching to generate the high side voltage supply, you should make sure you don't go to 100% on time or you might wind up pushing the high side fets into partially saturated "on" mode (not good for keeping smoke in)

I don't know what the minimum switching rate is to maintain gate drive, it shouldn't be much but still, might want to keep it in mind.
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Mechanical engineers build weapons, civil engineers build targets

We are talking about the IRF2101 here?
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Steven Martin
Twisted Constructions
http://www.botbitz.com

if I'm reading the datasheet right yeah
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Mechanical engineers build weapons, civil engineers build targets

quote:

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Originally posted by marto:
Well if it has the datalpgging hardware I can hack that into my code as well.

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@ Valen Ok well I will keep that in mind. Thanks for the heads up. I think once you get into the bigger controllers it will get a little harder. Wonder if they have locked the code .....

@ Jameus - odds are it would just mean reading and logging an ADC port which isn't too hard. I don't know if i could be bothered writing a proper API and crap for it but could probably just spit it out on the serial port if they have it setup. Prolly take another few hours.

Hardware hacking is fun

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

yeah, if it spits out data one can always use Excel to whip it into a graph haha
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<Patrician|Away> what does your robot do, sam
<bovril> it collects data about the surrounding environment, then discards it and drives into walls

Hmmm in to ADC -> serial then quick python app to read and plot it. Could be done pretty easily wonder how the data logging ones work. Probably more helpful with external module as most wont have data loggin capability unless they are expensive. Which is not really what we are aiming for.

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

Idea for External datalogging module.
Read data from ESC via serial, use a Atmega8U2 chip (the Serial 2 USB that is now on the Arduino Uno, replaces the FTDI chips) and store the data onto a micro sd card. Atmega8U2 can do serial to USB which (with a USB plug on the module) can be plugged into a laptop. Could also run a "passthrough" mode where the Atmega8U2 passes the data directly from the ESC to the laptop without writing to micro sd.

This would give a relatively cheap datalogging unit that can be used in bot for logging or on the bench in a pass through setup to give you instant feedback.
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https://www.halfdonethings.com/

Hi Steve
We would pay $50 each if there is no steering problems and you could run them at 18-24volts. How do they compare to the Sabertooth steering wise? Also a singular hacked esc would be good as a weapons controller...right?
Miles
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Miles Blow - Julie Pitts
www.mulesfilm.com.au
www.wombokforest.com.au

-Pickasso- Vivid Sportsman champion 2015

Just tried Plush 10A.

Exactly the same pinout. Code is 100% compatible. Also I accidentally forgot to comment out a bit of code I was using to check pin mappings were the same so I fried one the Low side channel A fet.

However changed 2 As to Cs and recompile and reflashed back up on the other bridge in <30sec. Could definitely be useful for recovering after that unfortunate short which always happens to find its way in. You could prolly recover from 2 fried half gates though you may have to remove the busted fets before trying it.

Anyway FYI the little HP pololu motors stall @ 2.1A on 7.4V so on 3 cell battery that will be up ~ 3A so well out of spec for B328. Anyway I hope to see some more equivalent ESC from HK in the next few weeks. I would prolly even use 10A ones in beetles if you are really cheap and don't want more than 2 Cell battery.

Testing the Plush 10A took about 35min once I had the motivation to solder in programming port. So hopefully other 10A - 30A escs will be just as easy.

Also with regards to the poll. I am just asking because I would like to know what controllers to test. I am not thinking of selling them I just want to know how much everyone is willing to pay. As I was looking at some pretty beefy looking ESCs but they are like $70 which is in the range of some lower end ESCs anyway.

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

Couple of pics for Steve,

Plush 6A, looks like it could be identical pinout to the other plush sizes.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v424/dyrodium/P1020547.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v424/dyrodium/P1020550.jpg
Fets - 4503GM/701012
TowerPro 12A, looks a bit more complicated....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v424/dyrodium/P1020548.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v424/dyrodium/P1020551.jpg
TPC8018 H
Super Simple 30A, could well be usable too!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v424/dyrodium/P1020549.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v424/dyrodium/P1020552.jpg
TPC8107 A
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( •_•)>⌐■-■

(⌐■_■)

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

Define the specs you are aiming for - I would definitely pay $70 for a hacked controller that could replace a Victor 885 (120A , 30V). If it had thermal limiting the current capacity could be less.

quote:

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Originally posted by marto:
Anyway FYI the little HP pololu motors stall @ 2.1A on 7.4V so on 3 cell battery that will be up ~ 3A so well out of spec for B328.

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