Made my own steering coils

Dutch · #1 01-14-2003, 06:34 PM

Well after thinking and tinkering around I decided to try and make own steering coils. I got a old 12 volt relay from work and ripped it apart so I could use wire (gauge is a little bit bigger) Then I played with a few winding ideas and came up with this. I took an brand new eraser from a penceil and cut it in 1/2 (it's about the same size of a steering coil) and slid 1/2 on a "T" pin then other and spaced them apart with a nickle (5 cent piece). Next I took about 7 ft. of the coil wire and wound it between the 2 eraser halfs untill I had about 3 inchs left. I then coated the outside of the coil with some good old Elmers Glue-All (I would have used super glue but diden't have any) after it dried I slid it of and presto a new coil. I need to refine the process a bit but they do work.

If to make your own remember to sand the ends that get solderd to the PCB and make sure you use the same length of wire so your coils will have equal strength

Stridex · #2 01-14-2003, 06:43 PM

Kudos! Very nice work. I just wish there was something we could replace the coils with all together. I love the idea of thicker wire. Would this cause it to be more powerful or weaker?

crazydave · #3 01-14-2003, 07:06 PM

That is nice work, but how's it work? Improvement, or not?

I know from motors that a thicker wire in the coils will draw more current, which will theorectically give you more power, if there is enough current provided in the first place.
Dave

#4 01-14-2003, 07:07 PM

I suppose larger gauge wire would allow more current to flow, making them stronger. (If the drive circuitry allows more current)

Since we now know that they come with rare earth magnets from the factory, this would probably be the only way to really improve the steering. I saw a moderate increase in steering force with the RE magnets, but nothing spectacular.

Nathan · #5 01-14-2003, 07:07 PM

Bigger wire has less resistance, but more wire makes for a stronger pull. It's all an issue of size.

Dutch · #6 01-14-2003, 07:22 PM

I diden't notice any thing yet ? I was just trying it to see if I could do it. The coils I made are of lager gauge wire but there a wee-bit samller than the stock. I need to find the right length of wire to make them the same size coil. I started with 6 ft. I think on my next set I'll try 10 ft. It's gonna be a trial and error thing.

crazydave · #7 01-14-2003, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Bigger wire has less resistance, but more wire makes for a stronger pull. It's all an issue of size.

Right, I forgot about that.
In a motor less resistance (less winds) means more speed, but more winds means more power. The current is probably being drawn by the coils, so more winds would give you more current draw, and a more powerful magnet, but can anyone tell me, is the strength of the magnet determined strictly by the number of winds, or is it the amount of material, or a combo of both?

Dave

Superimport2nr · #8 01-14-2003, 08:22 PM

have you thought of using a magnet rather than wires???
i have three clones, i was thinking of soldering the wires from the PCB to each steering magnet(replacing the coils)

just a thought

Dutch · #9 01-14-2003, 09:34 PM

I'll check the resistance in the morning at work (my good meter is there) and see what the numbers say. I'll also wind up a few more of different wire length to see what happens

Stridex · #10 01-14-2003, 09:35 PM

Quote:

have you thought of using a magnet rather than wires???
i have three clones, i was thinking of soldering the wires from the PCB to each steering magnet(replacing the coils)

Ya lost me. Please explain further. I'm very interested in alternatives.

Superimport2nr · #11 01-14-2003, 09:38 PM

you know the magnet in the steering arm?

well lets say you take 2 of those and replace the steering COILS with the steering MAGNETS

youll need extra magnets and solder wires coming fromt he magnets to the PCB

Dutch · #12 01-14-2003, 09:59 PM

Superimport2nr

I'm lost also ?? A magnet is kinda always "ON" and a steering coil is an "ON" - "OFF" magnet when you supply power to it turns magnetic. So I don't belive your idea would work (sorry)

Superimport2nr · #13 01-14-2003, 10:18 PM

oh yeah.... disregaurd my idea yall

#14 01-14-2003, 11:03 PM

I've had a few steering ideas:
One centered around having BOTH coils activate when turning, one repelling the center magnet and the other pulling. Hopefully this would allow a more precise steering and faster activation.

My other idea involved switching the center magnet with a coil and the coils with smaller rare-earth magnets (since they are 1/2 the size as the regular magnet). This would probably allow a sharper turn.

Remember, this is all still in the idea stage. I haven't done too much research into it yet but if you have any suggestion, comments, ideas or insight, please tell me!

Stridex · #15 01-15-2003, 12:43 AM

Quote:

I've had a few steering ideas:
One centered around having BOTH coils activate when turning, one repelling the center magnet and the other pulling. Hopefully this would allow a more precise steering and faster activation.

It's a brilliant idea. I say that knowing there is already something like that in the WalMart clone, but you didn't know that and came up with that idea. It's one of the reasons why I love the MotorWorks clone so much. It has the magnets on the side and the coil in the center. This allows it to repell and pull at the same time. I have the PCB in my Zip and couldn't be happier with the steering.

I just want rid of those thin coil wires. I mod way too much for those to keep getting in my way.

Looks like I'm going to have to do one with a motor like the Toys r' Us (Micro RC) clone.