im making an r2d2 using one sabertooth duel controller to run both feet and one to control just the head, the feet work fine but i dont know how or if i can wire in the second controller to turn the head i need to be running both from the same rc hand set please help
@julianhale Each “degree of freedom” needs its own channel. The Sabertooth is a dual motor contoller and can use a single two-axis joystick. If you want to rotate, you’ll need a separate channel on the RC remote control, and a separate motor controller (or servo motor). Do you already have the head built and an actuator chosen?
hi thanks for answering, im using a digital remote with 7 channels 2 sabertooth dual controllers i have one controller working great using the two 12v c motors in the feet and separately ive had the single motor working turning he head … i make r2’s but only made the feet move before now, do i need a second receiver ?
1 Like
Not at all. Each Sabertooth can control two DC motors independently, and each requires one channel. Your RC system has 7 channels, of which each Sabertooth will use up to two. One important note - each Sabertooth PROVIDES 5V DC to power the receiver. You only need ONE Sabertooth to do this and should disconnect the red (power) pin from the second Sabertooth.
Looks like you need to blow off some of the dust too - careful not to get a short circuit. R2D2 looks very professional - like the real thing when it would have first been delivered. Well done!
hi thanks, i rubbed of some dust lol, ive not attached the red lead on the seconds sabertooth,
im still not getting a connection… can you see where im going wrong
Can you confirm the connections to the 0V / 5V / S1 / S2 pins on Sabertooth on the left? Is the white wire connected to S1?
Second, for troubleshooting, disconnect the Sabertooth where you are able to make the motors work with the other and see if the motors still work (you’ll need to reconnect the 5V pin… sorry about that).
Could it be a total power issue where your battery cannot provide enough current?
Your DIP switches seem to be configured the same way.
Last option - can you provide a simple wiring diagram so we can follow the entire layout?
the batteries are 2 x 12v wired as 24v
Just want to confirm that you have the 0V (black wire) going to the middle row on the RC receiver, or the outer row? Most receivers have the pinout the same as RC servos: Signal / 5V / GND. If not…
Otherwise everything looks to be correct, so back to the other idea - disconnect the Sabertooth where you are able to make the motors work with the other and see if the motors still work (you’ll need to reconnect the 5V pin… sorry about that). If the defective one doesn’t work on its own, then RMA exchange.
the black wire is going to the outer row my mistake. the two feet motors work great i have the head motor attached to channel 7 when its attached the feet still work, the same when i have the third motor on the second sabertooth, ive swapped everthing around so so the feet motors work on the other sabertooth are my dims set correclty they are both set the same, thanks fo the help btw
So if each Sabertooth works separately, but not all at the same time, one possible explanation is the battery cannot provide enough current. That’s at least a good sign. Can you try powering the second Sabertooth with its own / separate battery or power source? What are the specs of each of the motors and the battery?
until now ive been using 2 x 12v 4.5 ah connected as 24v
ive just attached the same to the other sabertooth with the same result, but with the second sabertooth’s number 3 switch set to barrery
if i try it again with the number 3 switch set to power supply will that blow the receiver ?
This seems to be your setup:
non-lithium mode, R/C input, independent mode with linear control:
https://www.dimensionengineering.com/datasheets/SabertoothDIPWizard/nonlithium/RC/radio/independent/linear.htm
Could it be you had / have it set to mixed mode when you really want independent for the third motor?
it works 
thanks for all the help
in future when i make these r2’s i would like to use a single motor controller for the head can you suggest one
DC motor controller chips are easy enough to make to be able to incorporate control of two motors, so finding single motor controllers where there’s any significant savings over buying a dual are few and far between. You’ll find using the same motor controller in both situations makes the setup less complex.