I am planning on purchasing the A4WD2 and I was just wondering how many battery packs are required?
It says it’s compatible with 12.0 Volt Ni-MH 2800mAh Battery Pack (BAT-01) and 6.0 Volt Ni-MH 2800mAh Battery Pack (BAT-05). Does that mean any of the one or do I need both? And how many of each?
Thanks in advance
Hi e5antos,
There is no controller in this package, and the controller will tell you what to use.
Depending on which version of the kit you purchase. Some of them like the PS2 version or the Autonomous version I believe come with a Sabertooth 2x12rc. With these there are several ways to go.
The 2800mah 12v battery would work great for the motors. You could also use a 3s Lipo battery for this as well. Standard lipo safety warnings apply.
Again without knowing which setup you are going for, not sure what else. If you are going RC, can probably run the RC receiver off of the 1amp BEC (at least I think the new ones up at dimension engineering) have this.
If you are using a Botboarduino with PS2… Can maybe use the BEC, but if you are going to hook up servos, you will probably want power for these, typically 6v. Can do this by using another 6v Battery. Or you can use some other External BEC connected up to your Motor batteries. Example: dimensionengineering.com/products/parkbec6v Not sure if Lynxmotion is selling in BECS now. There are many different ones out there to choose from.
Kurt
This is my first bot that I am trying to build so sorry I’m a newb and still learning. I am planning to make it autonomous with an arduino. I just wish to know what battery packs and how many just for the rover alone…
No problem and welcome,
We have all been there. Actually Eric is right with the 4WD2, that there is no kit setup with the electronics? Surprised.
So again depends on what electronics you purchase.
You need the Arduino such as the Botboarduino.
You need a motor controller, such as the Sabertooth 2x12RC which Lynxmotion sells, or Alternatively if you wish to put encoders on a couple of the motors, than you might consider the Robo-claw (example lynxmotion.com/p-727-120-vol … -pack.aspx
The only question left is how to power your processor(s). If you go off some of the A4WD1 tutorials such as (lynxmotion.com/p-331-60-volt … -pack.aspx
Side Note: I am surprised that there are not any updated tutorials for one of the rovers using the Botboarduino…
Kurt
The A4WD2 was created in order to take advantage of the C-channels and the SES bracket system. The kit includes two large multipurpose brackets which we have found fit the 12V, 2800mAh batteries perfectly (one can be fitted to each side of the robot, though only one is needed). The drive motors take 12V. In addition to the platform, you would need a dual motor controller like the Sabertooth and whatever electronics you want to control it (microcontroller or RC remote). If you can tell us what you want to do with the platform, we can provide you with some specific product codes.
But when I read:
lynxmotion.com/p-893-aluminu … r-kit.aspx
“Includes” section, it says:
“Sold separately: Large multipurpose brackets (to hold 12V barteries)”
So are the brackets included as you seem to imply or sold separately as the “Includes” section seems to imply?
(if sold separately which reference are they?)
Thanks
Very good question. Slight mistake on our end - the kit contents included the brackets, though the description on the site indicated they did not come included.
We have taken the decision to remove them from the kit since not everyone will use them for batteries.
The mounting pattern is still present: the large brackets fit the 12V, 2800mAh batteries perfectly:
lynxmotion.com/p-807-aluminu … -pack.aspx
We thank you for bringing this to our attention and apologize for any inconvenience.
Hi Coleman,
Following your advice I ordered to RobotShop.eu the bracket you mentioned/linked to (ASB-204), unfortunately if it indeed fits the battery it does not seem to fit the rover standoffs (Step #7). Indeed the brackets are hiding the holes needed for the standoffs. From what I can see now I guess that lynxmotion.com/p-635-aluminu … -pack.aspx (ASB-201) would have been the right bracket 
Do you confirm this? If this is confirmed you did not recommend the right bracket, is there something you can do for me? (I already contacted RobotShop on a previous different problem that they kindly solved but this time I guess the problem is more on your side not giving the right advice than a problem with the shop site so I’m hesitant to ping them again, they might think I’m trying to get as much as I can from them which is not the case, just back luck )
Thanks
You are correct and we do apologize. The correct brackets are ASB-201. Please contact us via the RobotShop Support Center (technical dept) and indicate the invoice number associated with the brackets, and provide a link to this thread.
Thanks a lot Coleman for your help, this is going to be sorted out.
