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#1001
That's been a long haul. I have three on the go at the moment. I started with this, Mini Robot Rover Chassis Kit - 2WD with DC Motors ID: 2939 - $24.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique fun DIY electronics and kits A Pi Zero and an Explorer pHat.
I didn't like the caster at the front, it makes it easy to tip over so I bought two more of those same motors and wheels and made it 4 wheel drive. The chassis has mounting points for 4 motors. Then I ran into an issue where it didn't want to turn, and one or more of the motors stalling when trying to turn.
Pimoroni had a 4 wheeler in one of their Bilge Tank videos using the explorer pHat so I assume its doable. They thought it might be the motors? So I bought 4 of their micro metal gear motors. And 4 wheels to fit those shafts. The same ones used in the video. Cut my chassis all up mounting them and still had the same issue? Doesn't want to turn. Goes forward and backward no problem though.
Then came plan B. Go with rubber tracks. I want to use this outside, the caster ones will just tip over at the first uneven bump in the road. So I bought this, https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/p...t=933151014922 It fits the micro metal gear motors I already have. https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/m...ded-back-shaft I bought the same ratio as was used in the rover they sell, which I probably just should have bought, likely would have saved me some money. https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/c...wd-robot-rover Didn't like the chassis though and "thought" I could do better.
Anyway the tracked one is all built but I think I have one bad motor which may have been an issue all along? The track set only uses 2 motors so I'll swap the dud one out with one of the spares and see how it goes. Next day or two likely.
Not wanting to waist all the other motors and stuff I had already bought I ordered another two of those red chassis and another caster. I now have two of those rovers in the first link. They are basically all running and tested and work fine on a floor etc. Just have to find a decent inexpensive controller to control them with. I'm using a keyboard at the moment. I have a Bluetooth controller I want to use, just have to sit down and plug though the python required to do it.
Pictures of all three are here, Microsoft OneDrive - Access files anywhere. Create docs with free Office Online. Once I get my controller working I plan on letting my grand kids play with them. Might even just give them to them. They each have lipo batteries and an easy to plug in charger. I used barrel connectors as I knew the Micro USB would get mangled by the grand kids.