pic: Twin Fan Powered Vex Prototype#2

[Arkorobotics]

The fans I got at Hobby People, they are High Power Lightweight FAN UNIT.

The Speed Controller clames to be reverseable but it doesn't do it on the VEX set.

The flap wont do much because the vex set itself is not really aerodynamic, but I will give it a shot.

The axes are seperate one axis for one wheel and one for the other.

[i like dirt]

Originally Posted by Arkorobotics

The fans I got at Hobby People, they are High Power Lightweight FAN UNIT.

The Speed Controller clames to be reverseable but it doesn't do it on the VEX set.

The flap wont do much because the vex set itself is not really aerodynamic, but I will give it a shot.

The axes are seperate one axis for one wheel and one for the other.

I think I have an idea to help you with your steering. But you're going to have to sacrifice your original 3 wheel design. I suggest you turn it into a 4 wheel drive and using a rack and pinion setup of gears turn it into a car drive.

[Dan Petrovic]

Originally Posted by i like dirt

I think I have an idea to help you with your steering. But you're going to have to sacrifice your original 3 wheel design. I suggest you turn it into a 4 wheel drive and using a rack and pinion setup of gears turn it into a car drive.

Or couldn't he just rotate the one front wheel he has now?

The tread would have to go back on that wheel, though

[Mike AA]

or, if another speed controller is acquired you could use the fans for steering. Slow one down as you turn its direction, kinda just like our larger robots...


-Mike

[1902_Battery_SGT]

for steering how about putting a servo on the front wheel?

[billbo911]

Originally Posted by Arkorobotics

The Speed Controller clames to be reverseable but it doesn't do it on the VEX set.

Read this reply I put on your first thread, it may help you with the speed controller issue and reverse.

[Arkorobotics]

Originally Posted by billbo911

Read this reply I put on your first thread, it may help you with the speed controller issue and reverse.

Yes! Your were right when you put it to neutral it stops then when you reverse it goes backwards, but not on full power. This means I can steer and brake by going backwards. W00t thanks so much! My plan B was to do it like jets when they land on aircraft carriers with that rope and hook idea. Thanks so much, I will try to get a video of it as soon as I can.

[bear24rw]

Are you using the stock motor on the fans?

[Morgan Gillespie]

As for steering you can do it the same way new cruise liners do it, rather than put a rudder behind the fan turn/angle the entire fan. This if done right would take -/= power to do that moving rudders or turning the front wheel. This technique has made cruise liners much more fuel efficient and is now standard, granted this is air, not water and fuel isn't your concern. It is still a way to solve the problem at hand.

[travis48elite]

I must say that is very initiative and cool! I would like to see that thing in action!

[Arkorobotics]

You know how jets landing on aircraft carriers with a cable, does anyone think that would work for this? Like have a cable out and have it hook on and slow it down?

[bear24rw]

Originally Posted by Arkorobotics

You know how jets landing on aircraft carriers with a cable, does anyone think that would work for this? Like have a cable out and have it hook on and slow it down?

The only thing that i can see possibly going wrong with that is if it hit the cable and then bounces back... Do you plan on just having a length of cable pulled taught between two poles or something?

[Andrew Blair]

Why not just have it track in a circle? Bind up one wheel a bit, get in a large area of pavement, let it go, and when it comes back around at 20 mph, throw a coat on it.

Or you could just grab a friend and put him 75 yards downrange.

[bear24rw]

Originally Posted by Andrew Blair

Why not just have it track in a circle? Bind up one wheel a bit

Instead of binding a wheel why not just angle the front one?

[Arkorobotics]

Originally Posted by Andrew Blair

Or you could just grab a friend and put him 75 yards downrange.

ummm .. I did that to my friend and trying to catch a chunk of metal going 20MPH that has 2 fast fan blades is not a good idea. He actually slowed it down by kicking it a bit (not enought to damage it) and then jumped forward and used his hands to stop it. You can really get hurt trying to stop it.

It also now has a name now, it's called "Kamikaze". The reason is that if you don't stop it .. it will commit suicide. There are no brakes no controls and it's going 20MPH in a specific direction, so it's a Kamikaze... sorta.