R2 Upgraded to 24v for Christmas!

Going from 12v to 24v equals FAST!

I got the courage to serial the 2 batteries I have been using (they worked great during the release event in that each one gave me roughly 5 hours of run time while the other charged) and generate 24v to the 2 motor controllers on the R2 unit.

Foot Motor Controller: Dimension engineering Sabertooth 2 x 25 controller (2 x 25amp max)
Dome Motor Controller: Dimension engineering Syren 10a (1 x 10amp max)

The new connections now are:

1. Serial 2 x 12v 18ah batteries connected to power distribution board
2. a. Distribution board connects both the syren and sabertooth input to 24v now
   b. Distribution board connects to a 24/30v step down to 12v 10ah convertor
3. 12v Convertor connects to the original 12v distribution board that powers everything else

Works perfectly!  he moves!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Drive Train Issues solved!

Dual Tensioner

Tensioner on the opposite side solved the issue of drive slippage...  due to "eyeing" it... its a little tight but solved the issue of slippage... I will do the second wheel a little looser and send back to Frank for design updates.

Bored a hole into the side of the drive mount and took a 1/4" - 20 X 1" machine screw and drilled a hole "eyeing it" offset from the main shaft hole on the opposite side. the above photo shows me drilling in the screw...

I took a left over 1/2" spacer that was leftover parts from the Razor Scooter pieces for the motor... it allows enough clearance between the outer wall and the wheel to protect the screw as the chain rubs against it.

Fitting the spacer onto the screw as I drive it into the frame... it pushes down the opposite side snug... should have gone a bit higher in placement, probably could have matched elevation of the drive hub.

Put the opposite side tensioner back in removing all access slack on the chain now.  The chain is very snug and pulls correctly both directions across the drive hub... no slippage VIOLA!

Top view showing the chain without any slippage as well as the screw completely in

Yes another view of the screw and the spacer inside the mount

Another view of the screw sit into the mount and space installed along with tensioner.  The chain is nice and slack free...

Chain issues with drive train

Drive Train Issues

After using R2 for a full weekend event, there was tons of drive slippage
"The sound it makes similar to changing gears on a 10speed bike" and its horrendous...  Many times preventing R2 from moving forward correctly.

Once we got him home, removed the outer feet and disassembled the shells from the motor mounts.

Potential issues:

1. There is maybe too much slop in the chain (although we cannot tighten it any more or move it any more on the links.
2. The gears are loosing grip and letting the chain jump off the gear

I removed the retaining clip on the chain and tried to tighten, there is not enough slack to go another link.

Looking for answers

Baby's First day out: Broken HP and Dome Gear

The first time out for R2 exposed him to many challenges:

• Children and adults all leaning on the dome when he is in automated mode (turning and making chirps randomly).
• Weight when little hands press against the dome features such as the HPs

All this resulted in a very successful first day in the wild.

1. The top dome HP fell into the dome due to some small child pushing it in.
2. The dome gear tore off and snapped the screws due to fighting the weight of people when it wanted to turn :)

Bore out new holes through the gear into a new piece of plastic with the correct height.

The screws (4X40) were too long so I will cut them down once I add all the nuts.

Here they are cut down and ready to rock n roll!

All in all everything was fixable... no major issues, and...

The 12V 18amp Battery lasted roughly 5.5 hours and could have gone longer...

This is why we build R2s - I believe all the builders feel the same

When you see this all day long... watching children's eyes light up, smiles and hugs as well as feeling like R2 is really really alive is all worth it!

More to come from Day 2....

Pre Release Visit to DESTINY USA

R2 made his first road trip to Destiny USA (Carousel Mall, Syracuse NY) and made a splash before the big event.

Baby's first day out

He will be there from Thursday till Friday night and then will be heading over to Shopping Town Mall on Saturday and Sunday for his whirl wind tour.

First Elevator Ride:

Then received some attention as we made our way down into the IMAX/RPX area where he will stay the evening till Release day.

Will post more as the event continues... stay tuned.