Kickin' Bot Project 9-1

PROJECT 9: Testing

You're in the home stretch. This is the last project. Here, you will clean up loose ends such as adding strain relief and managing the antenna. Next, you'll tune the radio and perform your first test run. If all goes well, then you'll finish up the top armor, and tidy up the last few details before going into hardcore survival testing.

Caution: Eye protection is required for all cutting, drilling, and grinding operations in this project. Caution: Review all of the general power- tool safety protocols described in Chapter 5 of Kickin' Bot (Cutting Metal), as well as the sections that correspond to the specific tools used below.

Part 1: Strain Relief and Antenna Routing

click on an image to enlarge it

After installing the chain, you probably realized that the wires running underneath it are a weakness. By adding 1-inch plastic adhesive-backed anchors to the base and using cable ties to hold the wires in place, you can keep the wires away from the chain, and potential disaster.

I use cable ties liberally throughout the robot to keep wires in place. Make sure to leave enough slack on the PWM cables so that you can pull them out and swap channels if necessary.

Add Velcro to the battery rails and brackets to cushion the battery (so it's not rubbing on bare metal) and give you a little tighter hold.

You need to route the antenna into rows and tape it to the top of the battery plate with electrical tape. Make sure to leave enough slack so that you can easily remove the battery plate without pulling the receiver.

Note: It's important to keep the antenna away from speed controls and motors, which may cause interference. Also, since the polycarbonate freely allows radio waves to pass, you won't need to install a Deans antenna. If this were a completely metal shell, then a Deans antenna would be a necessity.

	After installing the chain, you probably realized that the wires running underneath it are a weakness. By adding 1-inch plastic adhesive-backed anchors to the base and using cable ties to hold the wires in place, you can keep the wires away from the chain, and potential disaster.

	I use cable ties liberally throughout the robot to keep wires in place. Make sure to leave enough slack on the PWM cables so that you can pull them out and swap channels if necessary.
	Add Velcro to the battery rails and brackets to cushion the battery (so it's not rubbing on bare metal) and give you a little tighter hold.
	You need to route the antenna into rows and tape it to the top of the battery plate with electrical tape. Make sure to leave enough slack so that you can easily remove the battery plate without pulling the receiver.
	Note: It's important to keep the antenna away from speed controls and motors, which may cause interference. Also, since the polycarbonate freely allows radio waves to pass, you won't need to install a Deans antenna. If this were a completely metal shell, then a Deans antenna would be a necessity.