Rc Arduino motor control

Question

ok, here is the situation, I have an RC boat with a brushed motor, just normal DC. It worked through a servo pressing a switch so every time you pushed the gas it would just fly of. Because of this I wanted to make an Arduino speed controller to take the servo signal through an Arduino/MSP430, through a MOSFET, into the engine. but how do I write the software? I have no idea about the incoming PWM signal, but that's why I'm asking you! so the main question is to help me with the software.

balearicdynamics · Answer

Hi Pol,

if you go step by step I think it is less difficult then you think. This occurs with almost any problem.

You have described almost clearly the problem and the circuit in just three lines (!!!) We love if we can see also some photos of what you are doing. Only one thing is not clear to me; where is the Arduino? On your side or on board of the boat? If it is on your side I suppose that PWM can't control directly the power of the motor. Another question; your RC controller do have a manual speed control (a jog, joystick or slider etc.) ? Or you mean you want to replace every remote-local parts with the Arduino and the MSP ???

Please can you provide any kind of block schematic of your building so we can focus better the problem? For PWM as well as any other control and feedback you can get from Arduino there are tons of good examples that focus just the single problem. One problem at a time.

Supposing that you place the Arduino - I mean, the new electronic - on board, how do you plan that Arduino (or any other micro controller) receive some sort of signal from somewhere (where?) to provide the right PWM value? Or youaim to build and autonomous boat? Or Arduino should keep a certain speed or work as a limiter?

Enrico

mcb1 · Answer

I have an RC boat with a brushed motor It worked through a servo pressing a switch The servo operates a three or four position switch which usually has a resistor in series. The biggest issue you'll face is trying to interface the signal from the receiver into something you can use to control the MOSFET. You can easily find what the incoming signal is like by doing a quick search in Google. I suggest you save yourself a lot of work and have a look at the replacement options available on Hobby King or another RC supplier. They are likely to have what you need for much less than the Arduino FET route. Mark

Robert Peter Oakes · Answer

Right, The ESC takes the PWM output of the receiver, this is the standard signal out of RC systems and was used to drive the servo before, that same PWM signal will now drive the ESC

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Servo_control

Robert Peter Oakes · Answer

The ESC will take the output of the receiver directly so nothing to do there

If the lamp is to be simply on/off then you can use the parts from the old motor control (Servo and Switch) to control the lamp, just plug the servo into an alternate channel

Looks simple enough

Rc Arduino motor control

Top Replies