pic: 25lb Drivetrain

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by notmattlythgoe

Using something like this allows you to create a bellypan very quickly and allows for flexibility in regards to electronics layouts.

In terms of easily laying out electronics, a perforated polycarbonate belly pan is an excellent choice. In terms of structural rigidity, a large thin sheet of polycarbonate is not ideal. Something like Baltic birch plywood would be a better choice for a combination of rigid, lightweight, and flexible for mounting electronics.

[Cothron Theiss]

Thanks to everyone for the info! I don't think my team really has the resources to make a bellypan, but it's always good to learn.

[Gregor]

"Taking a year off"

[asid61]

Originally Posted by cad321

Is there a reason you chose not to use bearing blocks on your drive wheels? Although I haven't built a WCD before, my understanding is that their benefits far outweigh the cons (the only con in this I could see is possibly weight as you're limiting it to 25lbs).

The other cons are cost, size, and time. If I had the gearboxes (and sheet metal brake) I could make this very quickly. It's possible to re-use the bearing blocks for sure, but the "set and forget" method of direct C-C chain is great.
From a machining standpoint, depending on which bearing blocks one is using, this can also be easier to machine than a "regular" WCD with bearing blocks.

[Knufire]

Originally Posted by cad321

Is there a reason you chose not to use bearing blocks on your drive wheels? Although I haven't built a WCD before, my understanding is that their benefits far outweigh the cons (the only con in this I could see is possibly weight as you're limiting it to 25lbs).

Yup!

There's two main benefits to using sliding bearing blocks: to better support the bearings and to be able to tension the chain. I'm not a big fan of adding tensioners where they might be unnecessary, and had pretty good luck running exact C-C #25 chain drivetrains in 2015 and 2016.

So the question is then, is putting the bearing straight in the tube sufficient support? This is game dependent; large impact loads on your wheels could cause the bearing holes to start to turn into ovals. However, for most games which have no or relatively small field obstacles, bearings straight in the tube should be fine.

[Harrison.Smith]

Originally Posted by Knufire

Yup!

There's two main benefits to using sliding bearing blocks: to better support the bearings and to be able to tension the chain. I'm not a big fan of adding tensioners where they might be unnecessary, and had pretty good luck running exact C-C #25 chain drivetrains in 2015 and 2016.

So the question is then, is putting the bearing straight in the tube sufficient support? This is game dependent; large impact loads on your wheels could cause the bearing holes to start to turn into ovals. However, for most games which have no or relatively small field obstacles, bearings straight in the tube should be fine.

Past 2 years we have ran WCDs. 2015 we ran C-C #25 and we had no outer support with the bearing going straight in the tube. That worked just fine, although RR wasn't very taxing on drives. This year we had a hybrid C-C #25 in tube and C-C #35 on the outside of the tube. We had 3/16 stiffener plates welded to the tube that had couterbores for the bearing. While the plates were there to stiffen the tube since we had a #35 chain run on the outside of the tube resulting in a large slot on the end of the tube, we had no problems with the bearing holes turning into the ovals that likely would have happened if the plates were not present.

[bkahl]

Originally Posted by Knufire

So the question is then, is putting the bearing straight in the tube sufficient support? This is game dependent; large impact loads on your wheels could cause the bearing holes to start to turn into ovals. However, for most games which have no or relatively small field obstacles, bearings straight in the tube should be fine.

https://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/s...d.php?t=146519

[Knufire]

Originally Posted by bkahl

https://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/s...d.php?t=146519

Lol, that's exactly the picture I was thinking of. Glad to see that people reported in that thread that bearings in .125" tube survived Stronghold.