Radio Controller and FPV setup for custom vehicle made from Jazzy wheelchair platform
03-16-2016, 06:54 PM
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Radio Controller and FPV setup for custom vehicle made from Jazzy wheelchair platform
Hi there -
Complete n00b poster here, so forgive me for asking very obvious questions. I bought a Jazzy wheelchair powertrain ($50 at a thrift store in almost mint condition, no working batteries) in almost mint condition. It can carry a 300lb payload. I've seen a lot of people turn them into remote-controlled lawnmowers, arduibo-based projects, etc.
I'm working on an art project, and what I want to do is turn it into a vehicle that I can operate beyond line-of-sight, and be able to see and talk to (and hear) people interacting with the vehicle via some type of FPV set-up.
I found a video on Youtube detailing how to get the basic machine up and running:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeC8HbpCLyw
He used a fairly standard R/C Transmitter/Receiver (Futaba 4TL), and a Sabertooth motor controller. There are many, many others out there, some very complicated, others very simple. I really like the simplicity of the one in the video above.
To that set-up I would like to add a camera with audio and video (so that I can see and hear what the vehicle sees), as well as a loudspeaker so that I can "talk" to people.
I have looked into R/C Controllers on which you can mount FPV systems, but they are all very high-end systems intended for flying planes and drones. My basic problem is the sheer amount of systems and configurations out there, with not a lot of obvious compatibility hints, unless you've been doing this for a long time.
Are their more basic R/C Transmitters that are compatible with FPV systems that are simpler/cheaper?
I probably don't need a goggle-based system - a transmitter-mounted display would be fine, although a not too expensive goggle-based system would be fine.
Bonus, nice-to-have features:
Night vision: the ability to operate at night
Longish range: 1mile? I know there are extremely long range systems out there, but 1 or 2 miles is fine.
Do I cobble together a GoPro-based system?
I'm very excited about this project.
Budget Range (Transmitter/Receiver, Sabertooth motor controller, FPV system, loudspeaker): $600-$1000.
Any help at all is much appreciated!
Peter
Complete n00b poster here, so forgive me for asking very obvious questions. I bought a Jazzy wheelchair powertrain ($50 at a thrift store in almost mint condition, no working batteries) in almost mint condition. It can carry a 300lb payload. I've seen a lot of people turn them into remote-controlled lawnmowers, arduibo-based projects, etc.
I'm working on an art project, and what I want to do is turn it into a vehicle that I can operate beyond line-of-sight, and be able to see and talk to (and hear) people interacting with the vehicle via some type of FPV set-up.
I found a video on Youtube detailing how to get the basic machine up and running:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeC8HbpCLyw
He used a fairly standard R/C Transmitter/Receiver (Futaba 4TL), and a Sabertooth motor controller. There are many, many others out there, some very complicated, others very simple. I really like the simplicity of the one in the video above.
To that set-up I would like to add a camera with audio and video (so that I can see and hear what the vehicle sees), as well as a loudspeaker so that I can "talk" to people.
I have looked into R/C Controllers on which you can mount FPV systems, but they are all very high-end systems intended for flying planes and drones. My basic problem is the sheer amount of systems and configurations out there, with not a lot of obvious compatibility hints, unless you've been doing this for a long time.
Are their more basic R/C Transmitters that are compatible with FPV systems that are simpler/cheaper?
I probably don't need a goggle-based system - a transmitter-mounted display would be fine, although a not too expensive goggle-based system would be fine.
Bonus, nice-to-have features:
Night vision: the ability to operate at night
Longish range: 1mile? I know there are extremely long range systems out there, but 1 or 2 miles is fine.
Do I cobble together a GoPro-based system?
I'm very excited about this project.
Budget Range (Transmitter/Receiver, Sabertooth motor controller, FPV system, loudspeaker): $600-$1000.
Any help at all is much appreciated!
Peter
Last edited by piedrasyluz; 03-16-2016 at 06:58 PM.
