Steering Angle
08-09-2009, 07:07 PM
#1
Steering Angle
Is there a optimum steering angle to set your steering at? At full lock out I'm getting 16 degrees @ 100% Dual Rate. Obviously I can tone it down to make a easier to drive but was wondering what the general consensus was for sedan and 1/12th scale.
08-09-2009, 08:13 PM
#2
The amount of steering angle really doesn't mean anything. What matters is that your endpoints are set such that the servo doesn't whine or bind at 100% steering throw in each direction, so that you don't burn up the servo. With that said, you more than likely won't use all of that travel anyway. That's where your dual rate comes into play to reduce the amount of left/right travel equally. For indoor tracks, we generally set the dual rate so that we have a turning circle of about 5.5 to 6 feet diameter.
Any more than that, and the steering will seem "twitchy" and will be harder to drive, since you have to manually control the limits using steering input. If you have your dual rate set correctly, you can just crank the wheel all the way and have the correct turning radius.
For 1/12 scale, we use about a 3 - 4 foot diameter circle. For both scales, these circle diameters are dependent on the size and layout of your track.
You should also check the circle diameter in both directions to make sure that they are the same, or the car could behave erratically. In addition, it is good practice to check this before every run, in case something changed due to a crash, servo issue, tweak, etc.
Any more than that, and the steering will seem "twitchy" and will be harder to drive, since you have to manually control the limits using steering input. If you have your dual rate set correctly, you can just crank the wheel all the way and have the correct turning radius.
For 1/12 scale, we use about a 3 - 4 foot diameter circle. For both scales, these circle diameters are dependent on the size and layout of your track.
You should also check the circle diameter in both directions to make sure that they are the same, or the car could behave erratically. In addition, it is good practice to check this before every run, in case something changed due to a crash, servo issue, tweak, etc.
08-09-2009, 08:24 PM
#3
Tech Adept
08-09-2009, 08:39 PM
#4
Place the car against and parallel to the inside or outside wall on a straight. Turn the wheel full lock left (or right), apply throttle so car moves slowly, until car is parallel to wall facing opposite direction, then stop (hence at the limit of the diameter). Step off distance to wall to determine diameter. Adjust dual rate and repeat until diameter is at desired size. Place a foot against the outside side of the car, flip car around 180 degrees, and go full lock in the opposite direction. If car just brushes the wall at opposite lock, both directions are symmetrical, which is what you want. Adjust to taste.
Of course, be careful of other cars on the track when you do this. No need to get t-boned and destroy two cars.
Of course, be careful of other cars on the track when you do this. No need to get t-boned and destroy two cars.
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