Advice on RC car?

[mary prince]

The Milwaukee Steampunk Society is considering a Teapot Racing entry:  Does anyone have suggestions on a RC car to use as the basis for an obstacle racer?

Vehicles shall consist of a teapot of the Contestant’s choice, mounted upon a radio-controlled chassis. It is recommended that Contestants consult their local hobby shop or electronics shop for a suitable base vehicle, which may then be modified, tittivated or accessorised as the Contestant sees fit.

Multi-band controls are available for some brands of radio-controlled vehicles, which may be useful ... for drag race.

No vehicle shall exceed 30 centimetres in height, 30 centimetres in width or 40 centimetres in length (including any flags, aerials, &c.).

I assume we would remove the plastic 'car' section and would be in control of the height, but the wheelbase should be under 11"x16".
Reasonable price point, $40 or less?

Mary Prince

[Tom Gralewicz]

In the $40 range you are looking at cheap toys:

http://www.toysrus.com/search/index.jsp?categoryId=2257762&fg=Price&ff=StorePrice&fv=00003001~-~00004000&fd=%2430.00+-+%2440.00&

The ones you see people racing, like at the Makerfaire last year, are much more expensive - the radio alone goes for $200 and up.

I'm sure you can make an entry with one of these, but don't expect it to be easy to drive.

Lucky we're a bunch of makers....

I have the old radio system from robots you are welcome to, I even have some motor controllers laying around you can use.

So you would need to find a motor on the hack rack, connect it to some wheels, make it steer - a hobby servo would work, pick up some batteries and you can have an radio control Tea Pot.

If you decide to build it from scratch, I would suggest picking your tea pot first, as big as you can find within the rules, then we can build a chassis to fit.  If you can't find one big enough you could make a model and vacuum form a body - this would let you put lights and moving things inside.

It all depends what you want:  A fast racer, a cool looking machine, or just something way different than anyone else.

Tom

Tom Gralewicz

Chronic Maker

(414) 380-1716

milwaukeemakerspace.org

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[mary prince]

I'm not a Makerspace member.  Took the tour on Saturday with a member and he suggested querying here.

Yes, I was looking at cheap toys.  I don't think anyone in the group is already into RC cars and it would probably get used only a few times, mostly at an obstacle course at a convention in November.

I did suspect that serious racers with multi-band controls would be much more expensive.
Think of this as a trial run to see if people want do go farther in the future.

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[the_digital_dentist]

I predict pure, unadulterated chaos when they put multiple toy-type RC systems within arm's reach of each other.  They'll probably all be on 27 MHz and likely on the same channel.  Or don't they use 27 MHz any more?

[Scott Swanson]

2.4GHz Spread Spectrum is pretty much standard for RC aircraft.

On Jun 27, 2016 06:21, "the_digital_dentist" <mark.r...@gmail.com> wrote:

I predict pure, unadulterated chaos when they put multiple toy-type RC systems within arm's reach of each other.  They'll probably all be on 27 MHz and likely on the same channel.  Or don't they use 27 MHz any more?

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[mary prince]

I believe the plan is one car on the course at a time.  And steampunks will be amused by a little chaos.
Last year there was one decorated car at the convention as a demo; I don't know if it was built off a toy or a better quality base.  It did have the ability to run a second control that would elevate the new body/figures at will.

[John.aetos]

The low cost RC cars for under $40 can be picked up from a Hobby Store with everything you need and would way out perform one purchased from a toy store or department store.    They use 2.4 GHz transmitters (virtually no conflicts with dozens of cars at a time), Lithium batteries, proportional throttle and steering servo's.

They are easier to add customizations and replacement parts can be purchased at the store to keep you running.

 

https://www.hobbytown.com/ecx-beatbox-v2-1-36-rtr-micro-monster-truck-ecx00021/p453071

If you are at the meeting tonight, look for me.   My name is John.

http://wiki.milwaukeemakerspace.org/members/johnolson