RC Box - combining PowerFunctions with RC equipment

[BrickTronic]

4 hours ago, MisterCreators Custom MOCs said:

I now tested everything again and built a small testing rig, to make sure that it's nothing wrong with my RC Box. But same as before, the servo still only turns all the way to the left or to the right, no proportional steering possible. I used an 2S lipo to make sure that I'm not overvolting my servo.

Hello,

When Lego-Servo is working with Lego-IR-Rempte, then PWM of the IR-Remote should be OK

In an Youtube-Video (Time-Stamp 0:45) you can find Measured this PWM.
There are 3,5 sections of 250us resulting in a PWM-Period of 875us that is about 1,14kHz

When you System is using higher Frequency, then the Servo has Problems getting the right %-Value

Jo

Edited April 6, 2024 by BrickTronic

[gyenesvi]

9 hours ago, MisterCreators Custom MOCs said:

 Buwizz does not output an PWM Signal, it outputs proportional voltage.

5 hours ago, BrickTronic said:

There are 3,5 sections of 250us resulting in a PWM-Period of 875us that is about 1,14kHz

When you System is using higher Frequency, then the Servo has Problems getting the right %-Value

These are interesting findings, good to know. So I guess the problem could be that the ESC uses a different PWM frequency than the servo needs. But alternatively it can be tricked by using proportional voltage.

[MisterCreators Custom MOCs]

Hello technic friends,

I have some interesting new information about the RC Box. After I tested some different electronic speed controllers, I was able to get proportional servo control to work properly. So There will be an improved or fully working Version of the 10 Ch RC Box very soon, As well as the versions with different channel amounts.

 

[MisterCreators Custom MOCs]

Hello Guys,

after 6 months without a single post, I want to share with you the progress I made on the RC Box. I now have 10+2 channels in the same box size as before. 10 normal Power functions ports (2 with finally working servo support) and 4 dual channels. Additionally there are two PWM channels which can be used to hook up non power functions components such as Geekservos, lighting modules (WIP) and Brushless motors (WIP) bringing the maximum motor count to twelve.

I made a new video which shows everything:

Best Regards 

Adrian

Edited January 4 by MisterCreators Custom MOCs

[Krxlion]

Really awesome progress and I can see that it is really well build thing! I would love to try it out, but as you are planning further improvements, I guess we need to wait patiently. :D

I want to ask some questions, If I may:
1. Is geek-servo not fully rotating +/- 90 degree in your case, or were you not fully rotating the knob during testing in your video?
2. I guess you will try to sell your product in the future. How are you planning to distribute it with people, for example that have different transmitters and/or receivers? Would it be all in one package (RC box with receiver plus transmitter that you recommend)?
3. Are you considering building RC box with battery inside, so everything will be in one place (of course it will cover bigger space, something like 7x9x4 stud - similar to Lego Powered UP hub)?

Once again, great work and keep us posted! :)

[Mr Jos]

11 hours ago, Krxlion said:

2. I guess you will try to sell your product in the future. How are you planning to distribute it with people, for example that have different transmitters and/or receivers? Would it be all in one package (RC box with receiver plus transmitter that you recommend)?
3. Are you considering building RC box with battery inside, so everything will be in one place (of course it will cover bigger space, something like 7x9x4 stud - similar to Lego Powered UP hub)?

If you sell with battery included, you will need to have a charger with balancer as well.. As not everyone has a LiPo charger.

And have good disclaimers to prevent wrong use of the battery's, to prevent claims if they catch fire or whatever. LiPo's are fun, but dangerous. Certainly if they will be external (unprotected) and someone uses it in a fast racing car and crashes it. Some Lego part piercing a cell is insta melted Lego + ... 

I guess best option would be just the RX module, and have a TX+RX in one set but no battery included. Unless the LiPo's are hardcase, then the risk is significant lower to pierce it, but still a charger+balancer is needed.

 

@OP:

Very nice RX module you have made with a lot of cool tricks so use fewer top ports. Love the 54th attempt :D

[Aurorasaurus]

@MisterCreators Custom MOCs This looks very promising, I would change is using an xt60 plug rather than a T plug, but that's really just personal preference. Also, I think (if its easy to do) simply having PWM ports is a better option than using an adapter.

[MisterCreators Custom MOCs]

Hello Guys,

thank you very much for the positive Feedback :)

16 hours ago, Krxlion said:

 I would love to try it out, but as you are planning further improvements, I guess we need to wait patiently. :D

Originally I planned to send out the first few test samples last year, but due to some tiny errors and assembling difficulties it had to delay that and only finished one Box for the video. I have to make some tiny adjustments and reorder the PCBs until I'm ready to sell the Handmade batches. But I really hope, that it won't take long. I'm going to be really busy in January, but I'm confident that I can start selling afterward. If you are really interested, just e-mail me at info@mistercreator.de.

The planned things like lighting Modules and Brushless Modules are independent of the Box and can be added separately if needed.

16 hours ago, Krxlion said:

1. Is geek-servo not fully rotating +/- 90 degree in your case, or were you not fully rotating the knob during testing in your video?

Yes, the Servo did not rotate full 90 degrees, but I think this is only a setting in the transmitter regarding the servo signal and this should be fixed easily. I will take a look at that problem later

16 hours ago, Krxlion said:

2. I guess you will try to sell your product in the future. How are you planning to distribute it with people, for example that have different transmitters and/or receivers? Would it be all in one package (RC box with receiver plus transmitter that you recommend)?

I will sell the Box if possible, but I won't sell the transmitter or batteries with it. For the transmitter it should be your choice to pick, but for now the Box only supports AFHDS3 remotes, which will stick you to the Paladin. But even there the "cheap" one starts at €250 while the high end one is priced at €1000 so you have to decide for yourself. Otherwise, you can buy a AFHDS3 expansion module and stick it in the expansion slot of an opentx remote or another remote you might already have. 
For the battery, you have to make sure that it fits your model, so I won't sell a generic battery which most people wouldn't use because it doesn't fit. Also, there would be the problems that @Mr Jos already mentioned.

16 hours ago, Krxlion said:

3. Are you considering building RC box with battery inside, so everything will be in one place (of course it will cover bigger space, something like 7x9x4 stud - similar to Lego Powered UP hub)?

No, for now there is no RC Box planned which already houses the battery. Maybe I will think about this in the future.

3 hours ago, Aurorasaurus said:

@MisterCreators Custom MOCs This looks very promising, I would change is using an xt60 plug rather than a T plug, but that's really just personal preference. Also, I think (if its easy to do) simply having PWM ports is a better option than using an adapter.

The good thing is, that the Box is (nearly) fully modular, so makeing another powermodule which houses XT plugs will not be a big deal (but not sure if a XT60 will fit the dimensions, maybe it would be a XT90 then).

Having the PWM ports as they are, will not be an option for now because the ports on the RC Box provide 5V as well as 12V and some of my planned modules will require one or the other. So having an normal PWM Port which only supplies 5V BEC is not possible. It maybe makes the Box a bit more complicated because you need an extra adapter, but it also makes the Box a lot more versatile.

best regards
Adrian

[Krxlion]

4 hours ago, MisterCreators Custom MOCs said:

The good thing is, that the Box is (nearly) fully modular, so makeing another powermodule which houses XT plugs will not be a big deal (but not sure if a XT60 will fit the dimensions, maybe it would be a XT90 then).

I believe you meant XT30 (smaller version of XT60). I have recently tried them out, and they can hold 15A constant and 30A peak, but further studies on some Youtoube videos confirmed that they can hold even 60A for example for 10 seconds (but I don't see any Lego/Buwizz motors combo pulling that much :D).

[MisterCreators Custom MOCs]

47 minutes ago, Krxlion said:

I believe you meant XT30 (smaller version of XT60). I have recently tried them out, and they can hold 15A constant and 30A peak, but further studies on some Youtoube videos confirmed that they can hold even 60A for example for 10 seconds (but I don't see any Lego/Buwizz motors combo pulling that much :D).

oh yes, I meant the smaller version of course. The power module can deliver 75A continuously. I'm pretty sure that this is enough, but all motor controllers combined can theoretically deliver 64A peak when all ports are under full load.