YOUR FIRST RC CAR

               Here is the step by step instructions for making your first RC(Remote-Controlled) Robot Car.

     This is a  basic project for hobbyists and for  various robot competitions like Robo-Soccer,Robo-Maze,Robo-Race.
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THINGS YOU'LL NEED:

1. 4  DC MOTORS(Regular).
2. 2 DPDT SWITCHES.
3. CHASSIS.
4. SINGLE STRAND WIRES.
5. A BOX FOR HOLDING THE SWITCHES.
6. BOT TYRES.
7. POWER SUPPLY.

The Details of the specifications will be discussed  further.

Before starting you must have an idea of the components used:

1. DC MOTOR:A DC motor is a mechanically commutated electric motor powered from direct current (DC)

         For further details refer to the link      
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC_motor        
    

The Types of motor available in the market are:

1.      Regular DC Motor.
2.      Johnson Motor.  

1) Regular motor are are moderately costly are sufficient enough for their use in Bots.Regular  motor are used for making  Bot  given in this blog.

• They are available in various RPM(Rotations Per Minute) like 300,400,500 and can work on supply ranging from 9V to almost 17V.But it is recommended to use them for 12V for optimum performance as higher voltage might damage the motor.
• Their curent handling capacity is from 2A to 7A but itis recommended  to use the motor at 3A or 4A.

2)Johnson Motor are a bit costly but are more  powerful than  Regular motor.

•      The above mentioned specifications  of supply are applicable for Johnson motor also.

Important Note:

1. From the start, DC motors seem quite simple. Apply a voltage to both terminals, and  it spins.
2. But what if you want to control which direction the motor spins? Correct, you reverse the wires. Now what if you want the motor to spin at half that speed?

      For proper functioning here is the relation between application of voltage and current to the changes taking place in the motor functioning

•  Voltage:

1.     Typical DC motors are rated from about 6V-12V.
2.  So why do motors operate at different voltages? As we all know (or should), voltage is directly related to motor torque. More voltage, higher the torque.
3. So if  you are going to use your bot for Race competitions always give preference  for volatage over current.
4. But dont forget that your aplied volatage should not exceed 12V or you will reduce your life span of thr motors.

    

• Current:

1.      As with all circuitry, you must pay attention to current. Too little, and it just won't work. Too much, and you have meltdown.
2. As specified earlier Bots can be operated at current rating of 2A to 4A.

DPDT SWITCH:

• DPDT (DOULE POLE DOUBLE THROW)Switch are comonly used for switching between two alternate connections.
• One DPDT Switch can handle two connections (here two motors).
• So our  RC car will require 2 DPDT switches.
• For more information on switches refer to link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DPDT_switch

DPDT pinout

DPDT switch

CHASSIS:

• The chassis must be strong enough to hold the motors.
• Chassis are available in the market with four holes 
• you can create your own chassis but be difinite about the measurements.

POWER SUPPLY:

• As mentioned earlier your voltage and current specifications might vary according to your needs.

so it is better to use  a variable power supply which can be  varied between the specified set of ranges. 

NOTE:It is recommended to use single strand wires as the power loss is  less.


CONSTRUCTION:   Now that you know the basics of the components used let us assemble the parts together step by step.

1. First  of all you might have noticed a bolt like thing wound around the motor.You have to remove these bolts from the motors.
2. Now insert the motors in the four holes provided for the chassis

  and then tighten the bolts again.

  3.After tightening the bolts your motors will be fixed to the chassis.
 








4.Now fix the tyres by inserting the screw provided with them in the holes of  axle of the motor.













5.And now comes the a bit difficult and most important part of wiring.

6.Take sufficient  length of wires for  the distance between the     Remote control and the bot.Use proper colour conventions for the  wiring(Red for Positive and Black for Negative ).Use a separate  colour convention for power supply wires.

WARNING:

• While using soldering gun take care while  soldering  and avoid risk of  burns.
• The connections mentioned here must be properly made or else this would lead to change in polarity in wiring and your Bot would move haphazardly. 
• Single strand wires are moderately weak and they break   when the exposed part(i.e. the one which is striped out)is mended continuously ,so avoid mending it.

7.Refer the above figure and make  the proper wiring .

circuit connections

8.To ease the process first make the  short wiring for the switch 
 and then later do the other wiring. 

DPDT connections with the motors

9.Do not forget to take the bunch of wires coming from the motors through the hole on the top of chassis and the send  it further for connection in switch.

DPDT wiring .A bit tedious.....

10.Remember there will be two sets of wiring coming from two pair of motors to the two switches each connected separately.

11. Remember before soldering the wire with the switch pins always check the rotation of tyres ,see whether one pair of tyres on one side move clockwise and other anticlockwise when both the switches are kept in forward position.

12.Place insulation tape on soldered points for protection and cover the box of switch.

13.Your first RC Car is ready Enjoyyy!!!!!



Here is a video on  brief introduction of  the Bot.