[TANKS] Re: Tank #T040 & #T059; "Christie", Compression Spring, Swing Arm Suspension.

[Ben Holko]

My Tiger T067 also has Christie if you want another view - nothing 
groundbreaking in my design but it might help to look at another one.
 
Ben



From: rctankcombat@googlegroups.com on behalf of Grant Mahalek
Sent: Thu 8/10/2009 2:24 PM
To: rctankcombat@googlegroups.com
Subject: [TANKS] Re: Tank #T040 & #T059; "Christie", Compression Spring, Swing 
Arm Suspension.




Steve,

Thanks for sharing your experiences with the swing arm suspension system.

I was wondering, have you had any springs come out of the recessed grooves
in the hull?

Well, the inventive juices are flowing now.  Considering what you've
mentioned, I'am going to experiment a bit with a variable rate spring
system, perhaps longer springs, stops on the side of the hull, altered shape
aluminum trailing arms, etc.

I really like the compression spring swing arm suspension system. It seems
to be an elegant, yet simple solution to suspension.

I'll test out the above ideas and see what happens.

Does anyone else have any ideas on the compression spring swing arm
suspension system used on Tanks T #040 & T#059?

I'll play around and let the group know my findings.

Grant

- Original Message -
From: "Steve Tyng" 
To: "R/C Tank Combat" 
Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 5:04 AM
Subject: [TANKS] Re: Tank #T040 & #T059; "Christie", Compression Spring,
Swing Arm Suspension.



Grant,

The design has held up well.  The only mods since construction (and
which I need to document) are that I added upper stops to the
swingarms.  This prolongs the life of the springs which were getting
distorted due to repeated bottoming out of the suspension (due to my
habit of trying to drive over anything at speed).  The stops consist
of short pieces of fiberglass rod added to inside the suspension
springs.  The rods were an expedient and if I were to build again from
scratch (or during a major overhaul) I'd probably use an aluminum bar
bolted to the outside of the hull that would stop the swingarms on the
upper arc.  Even with the stops the springs still get bent out of
shape over time so order extra ones when you finalize on the springs
that work best.  The non-precision flanged ball bearings I used for
the hull side of the swingarms have loosened up a bit since first
built, thus the arms have a little play side-to-side, but everything
still works well.

Overall I'm very happy with the way the design has worked out and
would use it again in another tank.


Steve Tyng







On Oct 5, 11:48 pm, "Grant Mahalek"  wrote:
> Steve/Tom,
>
> I'am thinking of using your swing arm suspension system in my next build.
>
> I'am interested in what you've learned and was wondering if you might
> share your experiences and offer any suggestions.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Grant
> Northern Barbarian (getting set to buildfirst snow)


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database 4488 (20091007) __

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<>

[TANKS] Re: Tank #T040 & #T059; "Christie", Compression Spring, Swing Arm Suspension.

[Grant Mahalek]

Steve,

Thanks for sharing your experiences with the swing arm suspension system.

I was wondering, have you had any springs come out of the recessed grooves 
in the hull?

Well, the inventive juices are flowing now.  Considering what you've 
mentioned, I'am going to experiment a bit with a variable rate spring 
system, perhaps longer springs, stops on the side of the hull, altered shape 
aluminum trailing arms, etc.

I really like the compression spring swing arm suspension system. It seems 
to be an elegant, yet simple solution to suspension.

I'll test out the above ideas and see what happens.

Does anyone else have any ideas on the compression spring swing arm 
suspension system used on Tanks T #040 & T#059?

I'll play around and let the group know my findings.

Grant

- Original Message - 
From: "Steve Tyng" 
To: "R/C Tank Combat" 
Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 5:04 AM
Subject: [TANKS] Re: Tank #T040 & #T059; "Christie", Compression Spring, 
Swing Arm Suspension.



Grant,

The design has held up well.  The only mods since construction (and
which I need to document) are that I added upper stops to the
swingarms.  This prolongs the life of the springs which were getting
distorted due to repeated bottoming out of the suspension (due to my
habit of trying to drive over anything at speed).  The stops consist
of short pieces of fiberglass rod added to inside the suspension
springs.  The rods were an expedient and if I were to build again from
scratch (or during a major overhaul) I'd probably use an aluminum bar
bolted to the outside of the hull that would stop the swingarms on the
upper arc.  Even with the stops the springs still get bent out of
shape over time so order extra ones when you finalize on the springs
that work best.  The non-precision flanged ball bearings I used for
the hull side of the swingarms have loosened up a bit since first
built, thus the arms have a little play side-to-side, but everything
still works well.

Overall I'm very happy with the way the design has worked out and
would use it again in another tank.


Steve Tyng







On Oct 5, 11:48 pm, "Grant Mahalek"  wrote:
> Steve/Tom,
>
> I'am thinking of using your swing arm suspension system in my next build.
>
> I'am interested in what you've learned and was wondering if you might 
> share your experiences and offer any suggestions.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Grant
> Northern Barbarian (getting set to buildfirst snow)


__ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature 
database 4488 (20091007) __

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com




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[TANKS] Re: My Little Bulldog

[George Mastoras]

Hey Fred, no problemo, think I read you wanted to redo your turret.

Did you want to rebuild from scratch or just update certain parts?
Do you have any parts that you will use like wheels that have a certain
scale size already?

George



On 8/10/09 4:45 AM, "Fred Thomson"  wrote:

> 
> George... Yes, I would be.
> 
> -Fred
> 
> On Oct 5, 9:50 pm, George Mastoras  wrote:
>> Thanks guys, should say I hijacked this thread from Mike by accident so cant
>> point fingers too much.
>> 
>> Was just wondering if any of you are interested in plans for an M41 when I
>> have finished. Its not that common a tank and there is not much around on
>> building plans but still is there anyone that would consider building it if
>> plans where available?
> > 
> 



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[TANKS] Re: The controller thingy

[Gregory Pwneror]

The other way is to somehow get hold of Doug Conn and ask him how he did it
and for his software.

-Gregory

On Thu, Oct 8, 2009 at 1:15 PM, Gregory Pwneror wrote:

> There's 2 methods I can think of to do that.
>
> 1.
> The c6c's heart is a PIC micro-controller. You could potentially just
> completely rewrite the code in the PIC to work for an X-box.
>
> 2.
> You could use a small computer, like a nano or pico-itx and put the X-box
> controller through that by hacking the controller to use USB. You'd then
> write a computer program to imitate the output of a PS2 controller based on
> the input from the X-Box one. You'd route the output through the serial or
> parallel port of the computer.
>
> Both of these approaches require computer programming. I would give it a
> go, or give it to someone else to have a go, but I don't have an X-Box
> controller handy. You can find data sheets on the internet about the
> protocols of a PS2 controller.
>
> -Gregory
>
>
> On Thu, Oct 8, 2009 at 6:47 AM, Sgt.A.Johnson <
> callum.king.underw...@googlemail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>> Could the xbox and ps2 controllers be hacked together to get best of
>> both ie xbox quality and c6c connectivity???
>>
>> On Oct 7, 1:13 am, Gregory Pwneror  wrote:
>> > Yeah, but sometimes the usb controllers are more expensive, or you could
>> > hack the controller to have both USB and Xbox
>> >
>> > -Gregory
>> >
>> > On Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 4:07 AM, Adams, Kevin > >wrote:
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > >  They sell Xbox controllers with USB plugs.   No hacking required.
>> >
>> > > *From:* rctankcombat@googlegroups.com [mailto:
>> > > rctankcom...@googlegroups.com] *On Behalf Of *Gregory Pwneror
>> > > *Sent:* Sunday, October 04, 2009 10:46 PM
>> > > *To:* rctankcombat@googlegroups.com
>> > > *Subject:* [TANKS] Re: The controller thingy
>> >
>> > > You could do it with a PIC theoretically, but you need to make sure
>> that
>> > > the PIC is fast enough and has enough ROM for the program. I've done a
>> bit
>> > > of looking at X-Box controllers myself, it turns out that they are
>> basically
>> > > USB devices with a different plug, if you chop off the existing one
>> and add
>> > > on a USB, Windows will detect it as a joystick, what Doug will have
>> done is
>> > > then make output based off that, it's somewhat easier that using a PS2
>> > > controller. If you use a cheap computer like a mini-itx, it would be
>> sort of
>> > > expensive, but not overly.The cheapest mini-itx I could find is 70
>> pounds,
>> > > here:http://www.mini-itx.com/store/
>> > > You would need to program your own code for it though, as no-one has
>> > > released there own I believe.
>> >
>> > > -Gregory
>> >
>> > > On Sun, Oct 4, 2009 at 11:42 PM, Sgt.A.Johnson <
>> > > callum.king.underw...@googlemail.com> wrote:
>> >
>> > > There may be cheaper ways to do it than dougs but im not sure of them.
>> >
>> > > On 4 Oct, 08:17, Chris Malton  wrote:
>> > > > Sadly, nobody has, as yet, interfaced an Xbox controller to a C6C.
>>  If
>> > > > you really want to know about Xbox controllers controlling tanks,
>> the
>> > > > man who needs to speak up is Doug Conn.  He's gone some elaborate
>> > > > computer-based route.  Alternatively just find his tank on the
>> website,
>> > > > and click the links - they have some good info.
>> >
>> > > > Chris
>> >
>> > > > Travis Butterfield wrote:
>> > > > > Would it work with an xbox 360 paddle as well as the ps2 ones?
>> >
>> > > > > Sent from my iPod
>> >>
>>
>

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[TANKS] Re: The controller thingy

[Gregory Pwneror]

There's 2 methods I can think of to do that.

1.
The c6c's heart is a PIC micro-controller. You could potentially just
completely rewrite the code in the PIC to work for an X-box.

2.
You could use a small computer, like a nano or pico-itx and put the X-box
controller through that by hacking the controller to use USB. You'd then
write a computer program to imitate the output of a PS2 controller based on
the input from the X-Box one. You'd route the output through the serial or
parallel port of the computer.

Both of these approaches require computer programming. I would give it a go,
or give it to someone else to have a go, but I don't have an X-Box
controller handy. You can find data sheets on the internet about the
protocols of a PS2 controller.

-Gregory

On Thu, Oct 8, 2009 at 6:47 AM, Sgt.A.Johnson <
callum.king.underw...@googlemail.com> wrote:

>
> Could the xbox and ps2 controllers be hacked together to get best of
> both ie xbox quality and c6c connectivity???
>
> On Oct 7, 1:13 am, Gregory Pwneror  wrote:
> > Yeah, but sometimes the usb controllers are more expensive, or you could
> > hack the controller to have both USB and Xbox
> >
> > -Gregory
> >
> > On Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 4:07 AM, Adams, Kevin  >wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > >  They sell Xbox controllers with USB plugs.   No hacking required.
> >
> > > *From:* rctankcombat@googlegroups.com [mailto:
> > > rctankcom...@googlegroups.com] *On Behalf Of *Gregory Pwneror
> > > *Sent:* Sunday, October 04, 2009 10:46 PM
> > > *To:* rctankcombat@googlegroups.com
> > > *Subject:* [TANKS] Re: The controller thingy
> >
> > > You could do it with a PIC theoretically, but you need to make sure
> that
> > > the PIC is fast enough and has enough ROM for the program. I've done a
> bit
> > > of looking at X-Box controllers myself, it turns out that they are
> basically
> > > USB devices with a different plug, if you chop off the existing one and
> add
> > > on a USB, Windows will detect it as a joystick, what Doug will have
> done is
> > > then make output based off that, it's somewhat easier that using a PS2
> > > controller. If you use a cheap computer like a mini-itx, it would be
> sort of
> > > expensive, but not overly.The cheapest mini-itx I could find is 70
> pounds,
> > > here:http://www.mini-itx.com/store/
> > > You would need to program your own code for it though, as no-one has
> > > released there own I believe.
> >
> > > -Gregory
> >
> > > On Sun, Oct 4, 2009 at 11:42 PM, Sgt.A.Johnson <
> > > callum.king.underw...@googlemail.com> wrote:
> >
> > > There may be cheaper ways to do it than dougs but im not sure of them.
> >
> > > On 4 Oct, 08:17, Chris Malton  wrote:
> > > > Sadly, nobody has, as yet, interfaced an Xbox controller to a C6C.
>  If
> > > > you really want to know about Xbox controllers controlling tanks, the
> > > > man who needs to speak up is Doug Conn.  He's gone some elaborate
> > > > computer-based route.  Alternatively just find his tank on the
> website,
> > > > and click the links - they have some good info.
> >
> > > > Chris
> >
> > > > Travis Butterfield wrote:
> > > > > Would it work with an xbox 360 paddle as well as the ps2 ones?
> >
> > > > > Sent from my iPod
> >
>

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[TANKS] Re: controll tank from pc?

[Sgt.A.Johnson]

I think if you want to use Pc best way would be get the PC usb
wireless adaptor for a 360 controller and build a small PC in the tank
hull. Would still need to rig servos and motors to PC and work out
power and computers get hot so cooling would be issue. REally all that
would do would be to control a tank with xbox controller

On Oct 7, 1:19 am, Gregory Pwneror  wrote:
> Controlling your tank from a computer in the back of your car would sorta
> kill the game. We had a discussion about it a while ago (As it seems we have
> had for everything). Doug's Humvee is still controlled by someone standing
> there next to it. Also you'de have impared "situational awareness" as those
> army folks call it, because someone could easily sneak up behind your tank
> and kill it.
>
> -Gregory
>
>
>
> On Wed, Oct 7, 2009 at 7:37 AM,  wrote:
> >   In a message dated 10/6/2009 1:49:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> > mo.ahmad...@googlemail.com writes:
>
> > i was searching today on the net looking up rc tanks and i stumbled
> > upon this product that claims to control you tank car or whatever from
> > your computer
>
> > personally i think this would be great if you were controlling your
> > tank from  long distances and if you strap a camera to your tank this
> > would be better than vidoe games
>
> > BUT
>
> > IT is a waste of money
>
> > i don t know your choice checkout i out for your self
> >http://www.endurance-rc.com/pctx.html
>
> > talk to Doug, his is PC'ed i think it shows it under the rocketman vehicle
> > (unless that's changed now)
>
> > Chris,
> > Odyssey Slipways 
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[TANKS] Re: The controller thingy

[Sgt.A.Johnson]

Could the xbox and ps2 controllers be hacked together to get best of
both ie xbox quality and c6c connectivity???

On Oct 7, 1:13 am, Gregory Pwneror  wrote:
> Yeah, but sometimes the usb controllers are more expensive, or you could
> hack the controller to have both USB and Xbox
>
> -Gregory
>
> On Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 4:07 AM, Adams, Kevin wrote:
>
>
>
> >  They sell Xbox controllers with USB plugs.   No hacking required.
>
> > *From:* rctankcombat@googlegroups.com [mailto:
> > rctankcom...@googlegroups.com] *On Behalf Of *Gregory Pwneror
> > *Sent:* Sunday, October 04, 2009 10:46 PM
> > *To:* rctankcombat@googlegroups.com
> > *Subject:* [TANKS] Re: The controller thingy
>
> > You could do it with a PIC theoretically, but you need to make sure that
> > the PIC is fast enough and has enough ROM for the program. I've done a bit
> > of looking at X-Box controllers myself, it turns out that they are basically
> > USB devices with a different plug, if you chop off the existing one and add
> > on a USB, Windows will detect it as a joystick, what Doug will have done is
> > then make output based off that, it's somewhat easier that using a PS2
> > controller. If you use a cheap computer like a mini-itx, it would be sort of
> > expensive, but not overly.The cheapest mini-itx I could find is 70 pounds,
> > here:http://www.mini-itx.com/store/
> > You would need to program your own code for it though, as no-one has
> > released there own I believe.
>
> > -Gregory
>
> > On Sun, Oct 4, 2009 at 11:42 PM, Sgt.A.Johnson <
> > callum.king.underw...@googlemail.com> wrote:
>
> > There may be cheaper ways to do it than dougs but im not sure of them.
>
> > On 4 Oct, 08:17, Chris Malton  wrote:
> > > Sadly, nobody has, as yet, interfaced an Xbox controller to a C6C.  If
> > > you really want to know about Xbox controllers controlling tanks, the
> > > man who needs to speak up is Doug Conn.  He's gone some elaborate
> > > computer-based route.  Alternatively just find his tank on the website,
> > > and click the links - they have some good info.
>
> > > Chris
>
> > > Travis Butterfield wrote:
> > > > Would it work with an xbox 360 paddle as well as the ps2 ones?
>
> > > > Sent from my iPod
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[TANKS] Re: The controller thingy

[Sgt.A.Johnson]

All xbox 360 controllers use either usb or completely wireless and
older xbox is hard to come by or it is in Uk at least. REally ps2
would be easier apart from quality of the microsoft controllers i find
is much higher than sony and copies of ps2 controllers. My old sony
ones twisted abit and one broke completely when dropped a few feet by
accident. My xbox ones are still intact with only problem being an oil
stain on one and theyve recieved a real battering

On Oct 7, 1:13 am, Gregory Pwneror  wrote:
> Yeah, but sometimes the usb controllers are more expensive, or you could
> hack the controller to have both USB and Xbox
>
> -Gregory
>
> On Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 4:07 AM, Adams, Kevin wrote:
>
>
>
> >  They sell Xbox controllers with USB plugs.   No hacking required.
>
> > *From:* rctankcombat@googlegroups.com [mailto:
> > rctankcom...@googlegroups.com] *On Behalf Of *Gregory Pwneror
> > *Sent:* Sunday, October 04, 2009 10:46 PM
> > *To:* rctankcombat@googlegroups.com
> > *Subject:* [TANKS] Re: The controller thingy
>
> > You could do it with a PIC theoretically, but you need to make sure that
> > the PIC is fast enough and has enough ROM for the program. I've done a bit
> > of looking at X-Box controllers myself, it turns out that they are basically
> > USB devices with a different plug, if you chop off the existing one and add
> > on a USB, Windows will detect it as a joystick, what Doug will have done is
> > then make output based off that, it's somewhat easier that using a PS2
> > controller. If you use a cheap computer like a mini-itx, it would be sort of
> > expensive, but not overly.The cheapest mini-itx I could find is 70 pounds,
> > here:http://www.mini-itx.com/store/
> > You would need to program your own code for it though, as no-one has
> > released there own I believe.
>
> > -Gregory
>
> > On Sun, Oct 4, 2009 at 11:42 PM, Sgt.A.Johnson <
> > callum.king.underw...@googlemail.com> wrote:
>
> > There may be cheaper ways to do it than dougs but im not sure of them.
>
> > On 4 Oct, 08:17, Chris Malton  wrote:
> > > Sadly, nobody has, as yet, interfaced an Xbox controller to a C6C.  If
> > > you really want to know about Xbox controllers controlling tanks, the
> > > man who needs to speak up is Doug Conn.  He's gone some elaborate
> > > computer-based route.  Alternatively just find his tank on the website,
> > > and click the links - they have some good info.
>
> > > Chris
>
> > > Travis Butterfield wrote:
> > > > Would it work with an xbox 360 paddle as well as the ps2 ones?
>
> > > > Sent from my iPod
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[TANKS] Re: My Little Bulldog

[Fred Thomson]

George... Yes, I would be.

-Fred

On Oct 5, 9:50 pm, George Mastoras  wrote:
> Thanks guys, should say I hijacked this thread from Mike by accident so cant
> point fingers too much.
>
> Was just wondering if any of you are interested in plans for an M41 when I
> have finished. Its not that common a tank and there is not much around on
> building plans but still is there anyone that would consider building it if
> plans where available?
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[TANKS] Re: Tank #T040 & #T059; "Christie", Compression Spring, Swing Arm Suspension.

[Steve Tyng]

Grant,

The design has held up well.  The only mods since construction (and
which I need to document) are that I added upper stops to the
swingarms.  This prolongs the life of the springs which were getting
distorted due to repeated bottoming out of the suspension (due to my
habit of trying to drive over anything at speed).  The stops consist
of short pieces of fiberglass rod added to inside the suspension
springs.  The rods were an expedient and if I were to build again from
scratch (or during a major overhaul) I'd probably use an aluminum bar
bolted to the outside of the hull that would stop the swingarms on the
upper arc.  Even with the stops the springs still get bent out of
shape over time so order extra ones when you finalize on the springs
that work best.  The non-precision flanged ball bearings I used for
the hull side of the swingarms have loosened up a bit since first
built, thus the arms have a little play side-to-side, but everything
still works well.

Overall I'm very happy with the way the design has worked out and
would use it again in another tank.


Steve Tyng







On Oct 5, 11:48 pm, "Grant Mahalek"  wrote:
> Steve/Tom,
>
> I'am thinking of using your swing arm suspension system in my next build.
>
> I'am interested in what you've learned and was wondering if you might share 
> your experiences and offer any suggestions.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Grant
> Northern Barbarian (getting set to buildfirst snow)
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