RC snow shovel (2019 build)
09-23-2019, 04:13 AM
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RC snow shovel (2019 build)
last season's build was adding a snow shovel attachment to my RC something(not sure what yet)
This season's build is adding four wheel drive and unlimited run time(last season's run time 3hr), using 3.5hp briggs engine turning a 24v 100A alternator
to keep the batteries charged.
This season's build is adding four wheel drive and unlimited run time(last season's run time 3hr), using 3.5hp briggs engine turning a 24v 100A alternator
to keep the batteries charged.
01-03-2022, 07:33 AM
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Can't win them all.
For the 2022 winter snow season I wanted a new briggs engine for my toy,
so all summer I kept my eyes open for an 6hp to 9hp engine with an alternator
and electric start. on facebookmarketplace I spotted a new 8.75hp for $200usd
and jumped on it.
once I installed the new motor and manually started it I was very pleased (fired right up, and no smoke)
but things went bad from there, with the engine running I put a meter on the output of the alternator and
got 0vdc/0vac, crap!. I needed the alternator output to tell when the engine is running and stop the starter relay.
in a perfect world I'd pull the flywheel and replace the alternator and be done with it, but winters in wisconsin are
anything but perfect. so I'm going with plan B. install a sensor on the output shaft of the engine to get it's rpm information.
the woodruff key slot should give me one count per turn of the engine with the prox switch in image above.
I currently have to ways of controlling my toy.
a hand controller
or a on-screen type joystick
For the 2022 winter snow season I wanted a new briggs engine for my toy,
so all summer I kept my eyes open for an 6hp to 9hp engine with an alternator
and electric start. on facebookmarketplace I spotted a new 8.75hp for $200usd
and jumped on it.
once I installed the new motor and manually started it I was very pleased (fired right up, and no smoke)
but things went bad from there, with the engine running I put a meter on the output of the alternator and
got 0vdc/0vac, crap!. I needed the alternator output to tell when the engine is running and stop the starter relay.
in a perfect world I'd pull the flywheel and replace the alternator and be done with it, but winters in wisconsin are
anything but perfect. so I'm going with plan B. install a sensor on the output shaft of the engine to get it's rpm information.
the woodruff key slot should give me one count per turn of the engine with the prox switch in image above.
I currently have to ways of controlling my toy.
a hand controller
or a on-screen type joystick
Last edited by TommySr; 01-03-2022 at 02:17 PM.
01-05-2022, 02:29 PM
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Txmustangflyer
While I have all the bells/whistles (lidar,gps,gyros,ect) I can't give them control of my toy because of my
environment(very public, car traffic, people traffic) , my toy weighs close to 600lb(10 12v car batteries) and has a 4ft steel bucket.
I have to keep an eye on it with the cameras at all times.
While I have all the bells/whistles (lidar,gps,gyros,ect) I can't give them control of my toy because of my
environment(very public, car traffic, people traffic) , my toy weighs close to 600lb(10 12v car batteries) and has a 4ft steel bucket.
I have to keep an eye on it with the cameras at all times.
Last edited by TommySr; 01-05-2022 at 02:38 PM.
01-05-2022, 03:42 PM
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"was also going to suggest tracks vs tires"
Txmustangflyer, when I made this frame it did both mowing grass and plowing snow, tracks would
have made a mess out of my lawn, but. if I make a new frame in the future, tracks with cleats for the ice
are going to be part of the plan.
Txmustangflyer, when I made this frame it did both mowing grass and plowing snow, tracks would
have made a mess out of my lawn, but. if I make a new frame in the future, tracks with cleats for the ice
are going to be part of the plan.
01-07-2022, 06:18 PM
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"add some tech from the drone world, you could have gps automation..map areas for it to clear, start, and moniter."
Txmustangflyer, A few years ago I had a 1000ft x 100ft field to mow each week, I was also thinking it would be nice to have a mower
that could mow it automatically, and while it was fun to make, and make work, it was very boring after a few times(only used one season).
I turned it into standup hybrid mower.
it did cut straighter lines then I could ever do.
Txmustangflyer, A few years ago I had a 1000ft x 100ft field to mow each week, I was also thinking it would be nice to have a mower
that could mow it automatically, and while it was fun to make, and make work, it was very boring after a few times(only used one season).
I turned it into standup hybrid mower.
it did cut straighter lines then I could ever do.
Last edited by TommySr; 01-07-2022 at 06:37 PM.
01-21-2022, 01:35 PM
#15
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"add some tech from the drone world, you could have gps automation..map areas for it to clear, start, and moniter."
Txmustangflyer, A few years ago I had a 1000ft x 100ft field to mow each week, I was also thinking it would be nice to have a mower
that could mow it automatically, and while it was fun to make, and make work, it was very boring after a few times(only used one season).
I turned it into standup hybrid mower.
it did cut straighter lines then I could ever do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBjIqr4e7sw
Txmustangflyer, A few years ago I had a 1000ft x 100ft field to mow each week, I was also thinking it would be nice to have a mower
that could mow it automatically, and while it was fun to make, and make work, it was very boring after a few times(only used one season).
I turned it into standup hybrid mower.
it did cut straighter lines then I could ever do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBjIqr4e7sw
01-23-2022, 01:20 PM
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"add some tech from the drone world, you could have gps automation..map areas for it to clear, start, and moniter."
Right now the basics are slapping me around.
I got a new engine with a electric starter so the engine can be controlled remotely, but after seeing the
starter motor they use, I had my doubts(very small gear motor), and when it failed after only 20 starts
I was not surprised. I was surprised when I seen the cost $150usd(crap!)
I have four other briggs engines with electric starter motors, some 20yrs old. I'm going to use one of
them to start this new engine.
Right now the basics are slapping me around.
I got a new engine with a electric starter so the engine can be controlled remotely, but after seeing the
starter motor they use, I had my doubts(very small gear motor), and when it failed after only 20 starts
I was not surprised. I was surprised when I seen the cost $150usd(crap!)
I have four other briggs engines with electric starter motors, some 20yrs old. I'm going to use one of
them to start this new engine.
01-25-2022, 07:45 AM
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"add some tech from the drone world, you could have gps automation..map areas for it to clear, start, and moniter."
while I do have a job that GPS would seem to fit.
the job: --> when we get a few inches of snow I can no longer tell where sidewalks , lawn edges and driveways are.(covered with snow)
now all I can do is push until I spin my tires.(spinning tires draws 80amps)
using GPS to localize on a map of my area would be sweet.
but it seems GPS can only do about 15ft accuracy.(crap!)
image above is after sitting in one spot for an hour.
because I have lots of straight lines in my area Lidar may be an option?
while I do have a job that GPS would seem to fit.
the job: --> when we get a few inches of snow I can no longer tell where sidewalks , lawn edges and driveways are.(covered with snow)
now all I can do is push until I spin my tires.(spinning tires draws 80amps)
using GPS to localize on a map of my area would be sweet.
but it seems GPS can only do about 15ft accuracy.(crap!)
image above is after sitting in one spot for an hour.
because I have lots of straight lines in my area Lidar may be an option?
Last edited by TommySr; 01-25-2022 at 08:33 AM.
