Wiring a dancing hamster to the RC

[Gui Cavalcanti]

So, I found a dancing hamster named HAL that sings Mr. Roboto and looks like Robbie from Lost In Space. I think he's cute and I'd like to wire and bolt him to next year's robot and connect him to a giant "PANIC" button on the OI, just for fun.

My question is, how could I use the relay controls to control the hamster? He only has a little pushbutton switch in his foot. I think it'd be kind of bad for the batteries (3 AA, 4.5v) to simply connect the relay power to the hamster switch ground and the hamster power to the relay switch ground.

I thought about using an optoisolator (IR led + IR detector in a small black box, to keep two circuits apart from each other yet allow for signals to pass), but I've never used one before and don't want to build one from scratch. I know Victors have one in them to separate the regulated RC voltage from the battery voltage.

My last option that I've thought of is to use a servo to simply mash the hamster's foot to the top of the robot.

What do you guys think?

[Rickertsen2]

Originally Posted by Gui Cavalcanti

So, I found a dancing hamster named HAL that sings Mr. Roboto and looks like Robbie from Lost In Space. I think he's cute and I'd like to wire and bolt him to next year's robot and connect him to a giant "PANIC" button on the OI, just for fun.

My question is, how could I use the relay controls to control the hamster? He only has a little pushbutton switch in his foot. I think it'd be kind of bad for the batteries (3 AA, 4.5v) to simply connect the relay power to the hamster switch ground and the hamster power to the relay switch ground.

I thought about using an optoisolator (IR led + IR detector in a small black box, to keep two circuits apart from each other yet allow for signals to pass), but I've never used one before and don't want to build one from scratch. I know Victors have one in them to separate the regulated RC voltage from the battery voltage.

My last option that I've thought of is to use a servo to simply mash the hamster's foot to the top of the robot.

What do you guys think?

First of all LMAO @ this one. You have 2 really simple options:
1.) You can use an optoisolator. Be sure to bias it correctly
2.) You can use an spst relay. (probably the better option bc its more easily attainable)

Both are just as aesy and will work equally well.

[DanL]

Well, if the thing runs on 3 AA's, I'd say just make a voltage divider for 4.5 volts and solder the leads to where the battery's make contact with the hamster. Then Bammo! Just flick the switch on the OI to activate the relay, and dance-ahoy!

[Mercutio]

ahahahahahahahahahahhhhhh...

I like the relay idea. Just snip the switch in the foot out of the circuit and put the relay in its place. Send video!

~~Aaron

[Random Dude]

Well if you are going to do this to the robot for next season, you woudn't necessarily need to use a spike. You could use the SPST reley linked by Mercutio, and hook it to a digital IO pin on the controller, like so:

+5V-----|    |------    Hampster
        $  \ |
        $   \
IO pin--|    \--------   Hampster battery

Excuse the ASCII art, I'm too lazy to draw it up properly...