Originally Posted by
BlackAndChrome
Can you take a look at this install guide and explain how the wiring works? It looks like this is designed for pistol grip type controllers. Not really a problem (if the coach hasn't shipped the ones he bought back yet) but it would seem more natural (to me anyway) if it was controlled by a joystick for each motor. Is that the feature of the "mixing mode" to turn on/off whether the turning is controller by one input for both or one for each?
You’re on the right track. Independent mode will give you 2 separate forward/reverse channels. Typically on 2 joysticks, what I think you are after.
Mixed mode means one channel controls forward/reverse, the other steers. Probably best for a single joystick, forward/backward & left right.
Also depends on which channel you plug them into in the RC receiver, you could set it up all kinds of ways. Either a stick or pistol radio, the controller will work with either it appears. Pistol radio it would make sense to use mixed mode. Either mode would work with a stick radio, personal choice I think.
Either way you need to calibrate the controller to the radio, note the auto calibration feature.
There are others links on the site that should be helpful. Like the example wiring one.
Originally Posted by
BlackAndChrome
Lithium packs would be awesome but I already have a speed charger for NiMH batteries so it helps offset the cost. Unless there is a way to set up 700maH ~12v lion packs for under $25 with a charger under $30 too.
Thanks,
-Nick
For batteries and chargers, need to look at airplane stuff, they generally have a wider range of sizes than car stuff, including small & inexpensive. Do you have any local hobby shops that have a good plane selection? Strongly advised, to make sure you get everything that plugs together without messing around with different connectors and such if you can.
Backup plan, call one of the online/mail order shops and ask for help, most are fairly good. Sorry I don’t know of any good online/mailorder airplane sites to recommend, perhaps someone else will come along and help.
Give me a little time, let me do some looking. I see stuff that fits your budget I think, but I want to look a little more. Unless someone beats me to it!
Some battery basics: Lipos are 3.7v per cell nominal, 4.2V fully charged. So a 3s (3 cells in series) is 11.1V nominal, 12.6V full charge. Note it is very important to not run a lipo all the way down.
Li-on and Li-fe might be problematic. Li-on is typically low current, li-fe is generally a little more expensive to the best of my knowledge.