Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

I would remove the servos, and operate them without a load to compair the throw. You may not have both servos timed correctly and they may be fighting each other.

Just a thought

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

just a ? Reg , did you try fiddling with your end points on the Tx ? it sounds like end point adjustment , Yes/no ?

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

WOW, very nice work.

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

I must have missed this thread and it looks like you can really work fast. You Tig weld very nicely. I have to mount cheaters inside my helmet now to see small welds. Can we see some close ups of the tracks and how you made the grousers?

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

I stole Greg's(RCLogger) carpet rail idea for the track pads so I can't take any credit there, the only thing I did differently was weld nuts to the links instead of using K1 type chain. I've done a little more work to it in the last few days so when I take some more pictures I'll post them up. As far as my TIG skills... just when I think that I'm getting better someone lets a seagull into the shop:D but thanks for the vote of confidence! I've put in a few 8-9 hour days on it in the last 2 weeks so it has been coming along quickly.

Thanks

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

A few more pics. You can see the tracks a little better here. Welded on my guarding at 5:30 this morning. Time to build the dash, seat and controls. I'm holding out on finishing the undercarriage and lifting rams because once it drives without losing a track I won't make time for the small details:).

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

I'm posting a couple videos of the 955 in... well action I guess. It's the second time running it so the operator is a little rusty, at least the machine isn't.:D I installed a toggle switch down by the right track in an attempt to hide it more but when the track gets covered in dirt and you back up it shuts the machine off:(. I will be welding the hole up and moving the swich...http://youtu.be/lHR2pPX9Cos

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

I have a question... when I push into or pick up something and stall the bucket servos the sabertooth goes into protection mode and the tracks won't move until I relieve the tension on whichever servos are stalling. Is there a way around that? When the tracks stop turning the only way you can relieve the bucket is by lifting the boom so it kinda sucks.

Thanks

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

Hey RCP57, how do you have your battery or battery's hooked up, do you have the reciever running off of a battery eliminator circuit? What kind of shape are your batteries in? Didn't Ben, Snowchaser have the same problem with his skidder? See post 122 on down in this link http://rctruckandconstruction.com/sh...hlight=skidder Don't know if I've helped any?
Great work so far! Try sitting behind or next to it for a while, when operating it. That's from operating 1:1 equipment, still have a hard time when the model's are facing me, LOL!
Later, Neil#2 aka doodlebug.

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

Looks to me like it operates really nicely. Great work, yet another model I'd like to build in the near future.

I am going to guess you are drawing to much power from the servos and it's "resetting" your speed control. You will need higher voltage battery and/or an additional one to operate the servos, this may alleviate your problem, that would be my guess.

Ben

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

If your using the BEC on the speed control , it will not put out the needed amps the high torque sevos need . get yourself an external BEC . OTOH , the kitten looks great .

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

Thanks for the info. If I plug a 6v batteery into the reciever in the batt/bind plug, do you think this will solve it or do I have to buy something else? I tried posting a couple more videos last night but they didn't completly load so they'll be up soon. Nothing to exciting though, just me doing the same thing...lookin like a spode!http://youtu.be/KrTU9iBcgq0

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

I have done that with a 4v battery without success. I did switch from a 12v to 14 and that made a difference along with a BEC.

Ben

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

Yes you can use a separate battery to power the receiver and servos just remember to remove the red wire from the esc receiver plug to eliminate the bec circuit the esc supplies so you do not back feed the esc with power. You will also need a battery with a high Mah rating like 2500 or higher or you will still be in the same boat for ex a battery with a 800 Mah will only give you approximately .8 amps which will give you the same problem as before. A 2.4 receiver is very sensitive to Voltage drop so when you activate the servo under a load it will draw to much and the receiver will drop out causing the drive to quit and reset. Spectrum offers a capasitor to pug into the receiver in an open channel to help offset the voltage drop we had to use them on our race cars with the higher out put esc's when we punched the throttle on the start they would drop the voltage to far and the receiver would cut out. The capacitor would offset this and keep the receiver going till the battery recovered from the instant load.

Travis

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

Thanks for the input! I have a 5 cell 6 volt 4200mah hump pack with the reciever plug on it so I will give it a try and see what happens. The cap may be a better solution to my problem though because the screwdrive takes up a lot of space and I don't think there is much room for another battery. I don't understand why the esc on the screwdrive still works when the sabertooth resets? Maybe it is more like a woman... sensitive?

Thanks again for all the help. Reg

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

Fantastic craftsmanship, once again. It looks beautiful in it's raw state. I am enjoying your progress very much!

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

Wow, great work! No wonder you didn't buy my mill when you have the skills to do that by hand. Being able to tig weld (which I can't) really opens up some possibilities for assembly. Are you going to build something to go with it?

Richard

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

I wanted to buy your mill for sure but I thought it would have been sold until I saw it on used vic. Unfortunately for me I was away when you posted it there...

I already have my R18 to haul the dirt away so I have that covered but even "my better half" was asking me what was next just last night. I'm not sure though, I may build another fish boat... or an 850 KW logging truck... I probably should build something that makes money not costs it though.:rolleyes:

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

So I have a problem... I visited the local hobby shop today (over an hour away:()with the intension of buying a BEC. I explained my situation with the sabertooth and was told my new 12v lead acid 5ah battery probably wasn't able to take the load so I was talked into connecting a 6v battery directly onto the +- wires for each servo leaving only the white wires attached to the reciever instead of running a BEC. When I do this and operate my boom(screwdrive) the bucket servos do not react properly in fact they just viberate in one spot until I stop moving the boom and then they go flying into position. If I plug the servos in as normal and plug the battery into the batt/bind slot everything works fine but I was advised against this because they thought the current draw from 4 high torque servos may melt my reciever. Any thoughts? I think I should have stuck with plan A. Using a seperate battery does solve the reset problem but I honestly think if I ran a BEC it would too. I feel that if my 12v battery wasn't up to snuff the screwdrive would slow down when the other stuff stops working but it doesn't miss a beat. I don't really have the space to run a second battery without fitment issues. What do you guys think? Do you think I am drawing too much power for a BEC to help?

Sorry for all the questions but I think you guys are more in tune with this than the local shop.

Thanks Reg

I need this thing to work properly for next weekend!

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

Plug the battery and the servos into the receiver it should be fine and it works that way. The bec will plug in and work the same way but you will be better off with a separate battery. The bec like Castle Creations say 10 amps but it will handle an instant amp draw of that but not a continuous and the continuous rating goes down the higher voltage you put into it. I had a similar issue with my 4WD cat tractor I was only trying to run one high torque 1/4 scale servo and Castle Creations bec would not do it but a good receiver battery would.


The CC BEC 10A Receiver Battery Eliminator by Castle Creations.

FEATURES: Eliminates the need for a receiver and servo battery pack
Draws higher voltage from the motor batteries and drops it to a
voltage level suitable for the receiver and servos

CC BEC receiver battery eliminator

SPECS: Length: 1.2" (30mm)
Width: .6" (15mm)
Height: .4" (10mm)
Weight: .4oz (11g)
Input voltage: 5V to 25.2V (2S to 6S Li Po)
Current output: 12 volts input = 7 amps* continuous, 10 amp peak;
24 volts input = 5 amps* continuous, 7 amp peak
*Ratings are determined with a 5mph airflow on the BEC
Selectable Output: 4.8 - 9.0V via the Castle Link
Default voltage is 5.1V

Travis

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

For any of you Vancouver Island guys that might know, what is the plan for Port this weekend? Are all of you still going to the antique truck show? I think I can probably play for a bit:D.

I'm franticly painting my "kitty" today. I hate painting...

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

Hi Reg, You bet the show is on. Greg Lou and I will be there around 09:30 Sat morning to set up and it sound like we're in a different spot this year. I far as I know we'll be staying over and running on Sunday too. When you get there just go to the main entrance building and tell the girl your with the truck modeler's and walk up the path to find us. We'll get your equipment in after, as then you can drive in. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Rob

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

Sweet! I'll probably be up there on Saturday morning sometime. The Cat is painted now I just have to put it back together.

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

Neither is really finished but, Port Alberni here I come.:D I just hope my old beaters hold together.:eek:

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

Awsome job reg ..looking forward to seeing it in person..thumbs up...

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

Reg, They both look fantastic. Look forward to seeing them and you moving some dirt.
Rob

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

Dozer looks really good!! Did you get the problems worked out with the bec?

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

wow excellent job! I really like the dump truck too!

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

Had a great time in Port Alberni yesterday with the guy's, wish I could have been there again today!

Everything is working OK, there is a few bugs in the Cat but nothing to serious. The BEC seems to have fixed my problems with the Sabertooth so I'm a happy guy.

I didn't take very many pics guys cause I was to busy playing but here are a few:D

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

A short video of the "operation" in Port.http://youtu.be/u1vznworRcQ

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

Hey Reg ..Glad you joined us at the show ..great turn out and we have a ton of intrest ..very good feedback from the oganizers..

If you guys look closely at pic #4 reg posted you will see he does a great balancing act with his CAT and logs..Not something you see every day..

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

HAHA! That was 100% skill...NOT:eek:

Thanks for having me up there!

Lou, Thanks for handing me the controls to the 966 as well.

My batteries are all charged up... time to do some diggin!

I was lookin at tires on RC4WD this morning and I think I may know what my next project is...

Reg

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

awsome just awsome looks like a cat 977 very beafy

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

Come'on we need a video of these fine models working. Really good job on the building.

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

I stripped my bucket servos a couple days back trying to move what would have been a "giant redwood" in full scale. I'm such an idiot! It is amazing to me what this machine will push and lift, it just needs stronger servos in the bucket appearently:D I think I may switch to a pair of hitec HSR-5980SG digital servos. They are standard size but have all steel gears and a huge amount of torque. I should gain a little extra travel on my bucket too. Has anyone used them?

Reg

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

I did some work to the tracks yesterday so I thought I would try them out today. The tracks work good but now I stripped the servo horns in the bucket:(...It's always somethin!

http://youtu.be/Ku_NjL6OkdY

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

Great work on the dozer and cool vid.

I have been heavily abusing the Hitec 7955tg's and knock on wood, haven't damaged one yet. Lots of power.

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

I keep looking at those servos. I think they would be perfect for my bucket for sure. They are much stronger and I could buy a servo programmer and do away with the mixing in the TX.

Do you use metal servo horns on them? First I stripped the gears in the servo and now I've stripped the plastic horns. Maybe I souldn't expect it to lift so much...:confused:

Reg

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

On the rubber tracked loaders I use the thick plastic arms and on the lift system on my Mack I use the plastic horn as well.

What is really nice about the programmable digital hitech servos is you can set an overload cutoff on them. So, you set the servo to go to half power when it pulls too much current and then as soon as the load is gone it goes right back to full power.

Re: Here Kitty Kitty...
 

I had the Cat in for some "service" today. The screw drive on the boom used to have interference issues and bind before it lifted high enough(you can see this at the end of my last video) so I took it apart and moved some things around. Now it lifts like the real machine and hits the radiator gaurd on the truck tire just as the boom hits the box. I know this is how the 1:1 stuff is because my Dad bumps the Euc with the 955 once and a while and rattles my brain when I'm waiting for him to load it.HAHA!

Reg