Differential Steering

[stewart somertonParticipant @stewartsomerton50348]

I recently bought (off e-bay)a cheap r/c speed boat. So that I can race wife,who has same,I am trying to up grade radio system(a bit)the boat has a so called differential stearing system,push stick to the left and power is cut to left motor/prop.It works quite well and I’d like to keep it. I quess I’m looking for some kind of relay that will work from a basic 2 channel receiver,taking power from speed controller to each motor via relay operated by stearing out put.
As you’ve probablly quessed by now I know next to nothing about r/c systems so this may not be possible whith “over the counter” components.The other alternative is to use two speed controlers(one for each motor) but is it possible to run second controller from stearing out-put? Any suggestions,however obvious they seem to you,greatfully receieved
yours humbley stewart.

[Graham HadenParticipant @grahamhaden82325]

Each motor requires an ESC, The throttle & steering from the RX go in to the unit, the outputs are to your steering servo and 2 or 3 speed controllers “ESC”
Check this out http://www.action-electronics.co.uk/

[Malcolm FraryParticipant @malcolmfrary95515]

You can hook two ESCs and a ruuder to a two cannel set using a mixer. This will give differential steering, only better, because it will be proportional. The rudder is optional in this case.

[stewart somertonParticipant @stewartsomerton50348]

hi,thanks for the suggestions.But i think you chaps have underestemated my ignorance.I’m still not clear that a ESC (electonic speed controller?) will operate off channel 2
the same as it will off channel 1.I guess i’ll find out as
soon as it arrives from honk kong.In the mean time i have
fabricated a simple (some might say crude) servo operated
switch to cut power from one or other motor I’ve yet to see
how well it works under load.However I’m keen to know where
I might source aforsiad mixer
many thanks Stewart

[Graham HadenParticipant @grahamhaden82325]

Mixers are available from
Barry Blyth [[email protected]]

[Malcolm FraryParticipant @malcolmfrary95515]

As far as the RX is concerned, the ESC is just another servo. In the elder days, a servowould work a controller via a linkage, the ESC avoids having the linkage and quite often issmaller than the servo in the first place. Nothing wrong with the switch arrangement apart from it being a lot less progressive than the full ESCs + mixer arrangement. A lot cheaper as well.
Mixers available from Action, Mtronics and several other manufacturers. Have a google for “RC mixers”.

[stewart somertonParticipant @stewartsomerton50348]

dumb question

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