Electronics questions

[Espeefan]

Baker3, I think independent dual motor ESCs are generally not cheap. You could also run two separate single motor ESCs as well. A radio transmitter with dual sticks would be ideal for running a set-up like that. Single motor ESCs can be found for very cheap, but the catch is you need two. If you can keep the cost under that of the Sabertooth 2x5 ESC, which is $60, it would be beneficial. Otherwise, you might just be better off with a Sabertooth.

Perhaps someone knows of a cheaper dual motor ESC. I would suggest checking with some robot supply stores for something really light duty. The servos shouldn't pull much more then 5 amps. You might try posting a wanted for something second hand.

On another note, it is possible to convert normal servos into continuous rotation servos quite easily. The internal circuit board of any servo makes a great built in ESC, once you've made the conversion. Then no external ESC is required at all. Each servo would have it's own.

[baker3]

Originally Posted by Espeefan

Baker3, I think independent dual motor ESCs are generally not cheap. You could also run two separate single motor ESCs as well. A radio transmitter with dual sticks would be ideal for running a set-up like that. Single motor ESCs can be found for very cheap, but the catch is you need two. If you can keep the cost under that of the Sabertooth 2x5 ESC, which is $60, it would be beneficial. Otherwise, you might just be better off with a Sabertooth.

Perhaps someone knows of a cheaper dual motor ESC. I would suggest checking with some robot supply stores for something really light duty. The servos shouldn't pull much more then 5 amps. You might try posting a wanted for something second hand.

On another note, it is possible to convert normal servos into continuous rotation servos quite easily. The internal circuit board of any servo makes a great built in ESC, once you've made the conversion. Then no external ESC is required at all. Each servo would have it's own.

Hmmm the sabertooth I looked at was $140...I am obviously looking at something way too high powered for this application lol...total noob at this...I am trying to keep it low budget because a few of my buddies are interested in doing this as well. I was the test dummie. $60 is not bad.

Oztruck, do you have experience with that ESC? Also, I would need to run 2 right?

[Espeefan]

Originally Posted by baker3

Hmmm the sabertooth I looked at was $140...I am obviously looking at something way too high powered for this application lol...total noob at this...I am trying to keep it low budget because a few of my buddies are interested in doing this as well. I was the test dummie. $60 is not bad.

Oztruck, do you have experience with that ESC? Also, I would need to run 2 right?

Wow, yes, you must have been looking at one of the higher current Sabertooth ESCs. The 5 amp model at $60, 'ought to handle those servos. If you wanted to be safe, you could buy the next size up, but I can't really see a servo pulling more then 5 amps, unless it's stalled completely.