Wheelchair modifications

[kpugh]

While I can't help with your question I do have a suggestion. You have caught the FIRST community at a bad time. The new game has just been released so most people on here are looking for game rule clarifications and robot tips. You may want to try again at a later date when people aren't so busy and will have more time to help.

Kristin

I'm not too sure of the electronics end of this, as I'm a mechanical guy, but if you end up hard wiring your speed control system, you're going to want to put something behind your main drive wheels. This could be almost like a wheelie bar on a drag racer, or something along those lines. This would help out with not flipping if you do happen to play with the power settings.

As far as getting something done at this time, I highly suggest you look around www.usfirst.org to find the FIRST team local to you. Knowing FIRST teams, they'd be the best outlet of help, and in the spirit of GP, would most likely be glad to help you out.

[Wheels]

Thanks guys, yes it has a soft start deal for safty but getting stuck out back isn't real safe ya know, and anytime it wallows around it over heats and stops.

I end'd up drilling some holes in the case (with out the board in side) and mounted a cooling fan, that help'd ALOT. And no the holes did not let in dirt or water so thats not why it stop'd working.

Also it has wheelie bars sort of on the back so no probs with flipping over..

If I could find the most capable Hack I would send my controller to you and let you have at it, if you cant fix + mod it keep it and do what ever you want with it, I still would mainly like to know how to make my joystick work with a Bot controller like that of a Ampflow Dual Speed Controller !!!!

[TubaMorg]

Check this site out and see if there is a team near you. Contact someone from that team and see if they can help out. They might want to work with you after the build season, so it's worth a shot!

[Greg Needel]

From an electronics standpoint if all you are trying to do is bypass the current speed controller and install one like the amp flow there are a few ways to do it.

according to this page http://www.battlekits.com/controllers.htm

The ampflow speed controller can be controlled in a few different ways.

R/C Radio mode
R/C Radio is the most popular, simplest and least expensive method to build and operate a remote controlled robot. The controller supports many configurable options, including joystick calibration of min, max and center positions and dead band adjustment. Full optical isolation is provided on all R/C control inputs. This method requires the generation of PWM (pulse width modulation) signals which can be created by any standard RC receiver or a robotic based micro controller(like those we use in FIRST).

Serial Port (RS232) mode
The controller may be interfaced to a microcomputer for autonomous operation. More advanced operations are possible, including remote control via the Internet, using a wireless modem or wireless network adapter. This method is more straightforward for using any micro controller. If you were to wire your joystick to the controller which interprets the potentiometers within the joystick you could do this.


The last method will seem to be the easiest.
Analog mode
A simple 0-5V analog control mode is also provided for direct connection to potentiometers or joysticks. You hardwire the potentiometers in your joystick to the controller. Obviously you will have some calibration to do, but according to the documentation for the speed controller this doesn't seem to be too hard.



Typically I would just end this with saying "good luck with your project" but something inside me requires me to say "be safe with your project" also that any information provided here is for reference only and Myself or chiefdelphi can not take responsibility for your actions based on recommendations in this post. So please be safe and good luck.

[Wheels]

Originally Posted by Greg Needel

From an electronics standpoint if all you are trying to do is bypass the current speed controller and install one like the amp flow there are a few ways to do it.

according to this page http://www.battlekits.com/controllers.htm

The ampflow speed controller can be controlled in a few different ways.

R/C Radio mode
R/C Radio is the most popular, simplest and least expensive method to build and operate a remote controlled robot. The controller supports many configurable options, including joystick calibration of min, max and center positions and dead band adjustment. Full optical isolation is provided on all R/C control inputs. This method requires the generation of PWM (pulse width modulation) signals which can be created by any standard RC receiver or a robotic based micro controller(like those we use in FIRST).

Serial Port (RS232) mode
The controller may be interfaced to a microcomputer for autonomous operation. More advanced operations are possible, including remote control via the Internet, using a wireless modem or wireless network adapter. This method is more straightforward for using any micro controller. If you were to wire your joystick to the controller which interprets the potentiometers within the joystick you could do this.


The last method will seem to be the easiest.
Analog mode
A simple 0-5V analog control mode is also provided for direct connection to potentiometers or joysticks. You hardwire the potentiometers in your joystick to the controller. Obviously you will have some calibration to do, but according to the documentation for the speed controller this doesn't seem to be too hard.



Typically I would just end this with saying "good luck with your project" but something inside me requires me to say "be safe with your project" also that any information provided here is for reference only and Myself or chiefdelphi can not take responsibility for your actions based on recommendations in this post. So please be safe and good luck.

I fully understand the safety concerns about it all, it's like reloading ammo, people can tell you what loads they like but to have you do the same may not be safe, plus THAT is why I'm asking lots of questions FIRST. I will be moving my seat forward, plus it has wheelie bar wheels, start off slow and work up. Hey I ride a 100 hp Kawasaki Trike.

[Wheels]

This is the joy stick I have...

http://www.pennyandgiles.com/docGallery/103.PDF

[Wheels]

What the heck is the Center Tap ?

Will I have to use the Red & Black wires or just hook up the X-axis and Y-axis leads.

I know I know I'm a newbie.