paintstikker

It sounds like a kind of MSC (must be anyway) but it doesnt look like one, because of the PCB look. Please see the pic.

rcxboy

Hmm... Maybe the PCB detects what position the servo is at?

Yub, yub, cmdr!

I think the PCB look is just because the resistors are soldered on :-P

hunter306

I believe the Mechatronic Speed controller comes out of the Tamiya Mammoth Dump Truck

It allows the mechanical speed control to control more than just the forward and reverse motion of the truck... For example, dumping and stuff like the raise and lowering of the bed.

Lunchboxer

It is used in the Dump Truck.. BUT, it is simply a mechanically controlled ESC.. the dumping bed motion is driven by a separate gearbox, that's controlled by the "+1 ch" unit.. basically, taking the control signals from the radio and matrix out a 3rd ch.. (i.e., when throttle is in neutral, and steering is turned all the way to the left, the +1 ch unit will send a bed rising/down signal to the gearbox, and when the throttle is in neutral, and the steering is all the way to the right, then it will do the reverse..)

So the M-ESC is really a separate function to that "+1 Channel" mixer...

paintstikker

So if I buy the Mammoth dump truck, Ill have to use that insead of an ESC to make the bed go up and down?

Lunchboxer

I don't think so.. like I said, separate unit.. the +1 ch unit (which is included in the kit) is the one that you connect your to your RX and your servos connect into it (so it can detect the signal from the RX)..

I am sure you can run any ESC you want to...

hunter306

Actually, LB is right, my original understanding of this was incorrect! Sorry for the confusion.

the +1 CH unit will do the up and down dump action just like LB Described.

Lunchboxer

Yeah, it is basically a simple version of the MFU (multi-function unit) that's used to control tanks / semis / etc.

But instead of using the mix of trims to artificially create the extra channels, this unit only does one channel.. so it takes the 2 channel output from the RX and make it into a 3 channel.. (the 3rd ch is based on the position of ch 1 and 2)

paintstikker

Im wondering if it has variable speeds, not just three. I might just use it, for originality (if it has other than three speeds).

Lunchboxer

I am pretty sure it has multiple speed....

Let us know if you end up buying that dump truck! It would be awesome!!

You said $300, eh?! Hmm... I asked my friend to buy me one from Asia as it was selling for $220, but then, it was discontinued.. Argh!! Not meant to be (or just me being cheap.. ) I guess!!

paintstikker

When (hint, hint!) I buy it, Ill try it out, waste of ten bucks, but what the heck! Must buy x-mas presents first![:@]

Lunchboxer

You can DO IT!!

paintstikker

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.....NONNONOONOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! panp..pant...pant...I called my LHS to see if they still had the mammoth. They saids they sold it!!!! I hope the dummys there just cant see it high on the top shelf hidden![&:][:@][&:][:@][:'(][&:][:@][:'(][][&o]

Lunchboxer

You snooze, you lose... [:@] Same mistake I made!!

I had my friend call up all the major shops in Hong Kong.. all gone...

paintstikker

I just had to buy that Savage.... Ill go there sometime and see if they made a mistake. Last time I heard from them (before that call) they had five.[sm=drowning.gif][sm=confused_smile.gif][sm=angry.gif][sm=tired.gif]