Hi,
I am a backcountry snowmobiler and would like to put together a remote control kit for the snowmobile. I can handle the mechanical side of fabricating whatever I need but am pretty clueless for the robotics side of it. What parts would I need to put together for long range RC for:
Thanks in advance… 
Have actually seen more RC full sized passenger vehicles - this is the first snowmobile project. Interesting.
A linear actuator connected to something rotational - not ideal, but might work. There is no mechanical advantage, so whatever actuator is chosen would need to be fairly powerful. Linear actuator might be all there is within budget.
Can you get an idea of the torque needed to turn it, as well as the angle / rotation to get to max speed?
Linear actuator sounds best for this.
Do you know where you’d attach this? What would it take to kill the motor reliably?
You’ll need to waterproof all of the actuators which won’t be easy. Ice never helps either. When converting a passenger vehicle to R/C, these are things they don’t need to worry about.
There’s actually very little “robotics” involved - everything can be connected to a normal RC remote control.
Await your input.
Thanks for the reply.
“Can you get an idea of the torque needed to turn it, as well as the angle / rotation to get to max speed?”
Torque is fairly low. Probably 2-5lbs (sled throttle is easily depressed with thumb). Need very little throttle so would probably only need to pull the cable approx 1". (ideally slowly )
“Do you know where you’d attach this? What would it take to kill the motor reliably?”
Motor already has a kill switch built-in so should be able to tie another RC switch of some sort into that circuit. Can probably position it under the hood to keep it clean and warm.
“You’ll need to waterproof all of the actuators which won’t be easy. Ice never helps either.”
Agreed, will have to figure out a way to protect the switches from water. Ice is less of an issue as this will be run in a fairly consistently cold environment, but still a consideration. I have something in mind for this but can’t describe it easily.
Also, a remote camera is optional but would be nice if it could work long distance.
Distance for all RC would be max around 1-2 Kms but will be used in the mountains. If I have remote camera then line of sight may be lost at times.
For the fact that you indicate “used in the mountains” - you might really want to consider a long-range system “just in case”. As you area likely aware, 2.4GHz RC doesn’t penetrate through solid objects well, so trees and mountains will degrade the signal.
Consider a normal RC remote like: robotshop.com/en/radiolink-a … eiver.html
and add: robotshop.com/en/scherrer-uh … ystem.html
Regarding controlling actuators, you can plug RC servos directly to the receiver. If they are high torque or operate at 12V, power them separately.
As for linear actuators, you can control them with a DC motor controller which accepts RC input:
robotshop.com/en/rc-motor-controllers.html
robotshop.com/en/actuators.html
The following articles might help:
robotshop.com/blog/en/how-to … ors-2-3703
robotshop.com/blog/en/how-to … oller-3695
We only have one accessory which can only be used with certain Firgelli Auto linear actuators to help with water:
robotshop.com/en/firgelli-au … -boot.html
Ex: robotshop.com/en/firgelli-4- … uator.html
As for a camera:
Wireless video transmitters and receivers: robotshop.com/en/audio-video-telemetry.html
Cameras: robotshop.com/en/cameras-vision-sensors.html
GoPro would likely work well in winter:
robotshop.com/en/gopro-hero4 … amera.html
robotshop.com/en/streampack- … itter.html
robotshop.com/en/helistar-40 … eiver.html (example)
Much Appreciated Coleman. I’ll start digging through some of this and check out the how-to articles.
Cheers!
