Model Boat Mayhem

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length.
Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Author Topic: Reducing from 12v to 6v  (Read 8862 times)

AlanB

  • Guest
Reducing from 12v to 6v
« on: June 28, 2006, 10:19:18 am »

Looking for a simple quick fix to my dilema, before I start ripping out motors etc.

I have a model which runs on 12v, all electrics including smoke generator, sounds etc require 12v.

Only problem is the motor, which was fitted by the previous owner, also runs on 12v supplied by the ESC and it is way too fast for the model.

I have reduced the prop size by 25mm, any smaller and it will look stupid.

So I need a quick fix that can be inserted between the ESC and the motor to reduce the voltage to the motor.

I have thought about two seperate batteries 1 x 12v and 1 x 6v but space is a problem.

Thanks
Alan
Logged

Mankster

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 768
  • Wheelerdealer
  • Location: London, UK
    • RC Model Submarines
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #1 on: June 28, 2006, 10:25:16 am »

A variable resistor should do it. Turn the knob till you get the speed you want.

DavieTait

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,149
  • Location: Fraserburgh
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #2 on: June 28, 2006, 11:49:27 am »

Only problem with the resistor way is that they get Very Hot and need a heat sink.
Its been too long since I did my Electronics ( try 21 years ago !! ) so i'm way out of date on what available and suitable now.

Davie
Logged
Davie Tait,
Scotland

White Ensign

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 779
  • Limits must be limited!
  • Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #3 on: June 28, 2006, 11:57:45 am »

Alan, some electronic shops offer a unit which reduces the voltage. You should have a look, but I don`t have any idea about their names in the UK. But I know from a Electronic shop in Germany (Conrad) which has such a unit. The trouble with a resistor is, that he just produces heat but he will take nearly the same Amps on 6 Volts as the motor would take on 12 Volts.
Hope this was out of any help.

J?rg
Logged
When God created planet earth, he made it with 75% of water. Bet he had the modelboaters on his mind!

Malcolm Reade

  • Guest
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #4 on: June 28, 2006, 12:16:40 pm »

Alan B

Why not phone Jim Casey?  He's an electronics expert and could help you I'm sure?

Regards

Malcolm Reade

Logged

Doc

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 327
  • Location: Oklahoma USA
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #5 on: June 28, 2006, 12:23:06 pm »

Alan,
One solution is to use two 6 volt batteries.  Just one for the motor and both for the electronics.  Not exactly the 'best' idea especially if there's no room.  Swapping the motor for another one would seem like the simplest solution, maybe not the cheapest though.  Reducing the pitch of the prop instead of the diameter is probably the easiest/cheapest route.  But, like the old coot who runs this place, "What do I know?"...
 - 'Doc
Logged

AlanB

  • Guest
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #6 on: June 28, 2006, 12:40:29 pm »

Two 6v batteries looks promising.

The current, excuse the pun, battery is a 12v 7Ah, so replacing it with 2 x 6v 4ah is feasible.

As for removing the motor ? It is well stuck in the hull. The hull would probably give way before the motor.

Thanks for the help so far
Logged

malcolmfrary

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6,027
  • Location: Blackpool, Lancs, UK
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #7 on: June 28, 2006, 03:46:47 pm »

The simple, cheap, down & dirty way is to measure the resistance of the motor, and the get an old electric fire element and measure off enough to give about 2/3rds the value of the motor.  Using the screw type connectors, (solder doesn't work on that kind of wire) insert it into one of the motor leads.  Make sur that there is enough air space around it because it will get hotter the more you turn the wick up.  This makes a good, high-power resistor of the appropriate vale for your application, and it need not be too large, but as you have a 12v 7AH battery installed, I suspect that space should not be a problem.  If the performance drops too much, shorten the bit of element, if not enough, either put a longer bit in, or dont turn the wick up that far.  If the element starts to get too hot, use two or more in parrallel.
I did a home-made resistor controller many years ago using an old element from a dead toaster, and it was completely trouble-free.  The resistor elements lived in a separate compartment from the rest of the "works", which occasionally collected water when enthusiasm for sailing exceeded good sense, and this would give a bit of steam from the hatch, but it still worked for many years.
Rather than two 6volt batteries, a six for the motor and a 12 for the rest might be better - two sixes implies that the motor would be powered from the "centre tap", which works, but the two batteries will not discharge at the same rate, and this can lead to problems when remembering which is which when re-charging.
Logged
"With the right tool, you can break anything" - Garfield

Malcolm Reade

  • Guest
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #8 on: June 28, 2006, 03:52:28 pm »

Hi Malcolm

The downside is the amount of energy lost by the battery in heating up your "resistor".  Shorter running times etc?

Regards, Malcolm Reade

Logged

johno 52-11

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 301
  • Model lifeboats built to perform
  • Location: Dudley "The Blackcountry" West Midlands
    • lifeboat Models
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #9 on: June 28, 2006, 04:07:30 pm »

Alan

Forget messing about with anything in the boat just restrict the movement of the lever on the transmitter. The advantage is that you will not be wasting any of the power in the battery and will have a longer running time.

John
Logged

wombat

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 625
  • The view from the shallow end of the gene pool
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #10 on: June 28, 2006, 06:30:14 pm »

If you do have to do a step down from 12V to 6, I would suggest the way to go is by using a swotching regulator. National Semiconductors do quite a nice range (the SimpleSwitcher family). You may be able to find a cheapish module to do the job.

Any other form of dropper/regulator will reduce the efficiency of the motor drive to around 50%

Wombat
Logged
The prat in the hat - www.floatingwombat.me.uk - Have look & say Hi

AlanB

  • Guest
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #11 on: June 30, 2006, 10:05:07 am »

Johno,

I thought about restricting the movement on the TX lever, but the boat has a JJC sound unit fitted which runs on a Y lead from the RX and the TX lever also controls the sound.
So end result is less power to the motor and the sound does not sound good.

I have decided to buy an Electronize ESC and use the adjustable throttle speed on the ESC.

Problem solved ???

Logged

Shipmate60

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5,800
  • You bark - I will bite!!!
  • Location: Fareham
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #12 on: July 01, 2006, 10:23:44 am »

Change the maim battery to a 6volt, this will be lighter than the 12 volt battery, and a bit smaller.
Use this extra space to fit a smalle 12 volt Nicad or MiNim battery to run Electronics.
It will mean wiring the Motor circuit and Electronics seperately, but this can have advantages of reducing interference.

Bobl
Logged
Officially a GOG.

Stavros

  • Guest
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #13 on: July 01, 2006, 05:36:51 pm »

Come on lads the answer is so simple change the esc to an electrosise unit,for the simple reason they are ADJUSTABLE so turn the scew and hey presto you have the same motor same batts and a slower boat ;)Had to do eh same with a Riverman fitted with a MFA 6:1 motor,so forget all the other ideas and go for the obvious :D :D
Logged

dougal99

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3,326
  • Huntingdon, Cambs, England
  • Location: Huntingdon, England
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #14 on: July 02, 2006, 07:17:03 am »

But what happens to the excess power? Heat I guess :(

Doug
Logged
Don't Assume Check

Stavros

  • Guest
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #15 on: July 02, 2006, 08:06:15 pm »

Excess heat there isn't any because all you are doing with the elecronise speed controller is as I said reducing the percentage of power to teh motor
Logged

dougal99

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3,326
  • Huntingdon, Cambs, England
  • Location: Huntingdon, England
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #16 on: July 03, 2006, 07:18:56 am »

Excess heat there isn't any because all you are doing with the elecronise speed controller is as I said reducing the percentage of power to teh motor

Don't take this wrong Stravros but I thought that's what speed controllers were designed to do anyway!!

Cheers Doug
Logged
Don't Assume Check

Stavros

  • Guest
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #17 on: July 03, 2006, 11:32:36 pm »

Dougal99 no probs m8 I am running the riverman on reduced power by way of the esc and the esc does not get even warm maybee it is the quality of the product!!! pass on that one
Logged

dougal99

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3,326
  • Huntingdon, Cambs, England
  • Location: Huntingdon, England
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #18 on: July 04, 2006, 08:00:05 am »

Hi Stavros

remembering my Physics lessons, the input power should be constant its the output that varies. Guess I'm out of my depth with ESCs. If it works for you then keep doing it - model boats as well. ;D

Cheers

Doug
Logged
Don't Assume Check

Made it to 80 (25p Richer now)

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 729
  • Location: Lincolnshire
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #19 on: July 04, 2006, 08:37:25 am »

Oh I wish I was brainy like what you are Dougle  :o :o ???
Logged
I'm not old I'm mature middle aged

Malcolm Reade

  • Guest
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #20 on: July 04, 2006, 10:31:41 am »

Gentlemen

The basic laws of physics apply. - Ohm's Law

Take a look at http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/Sample_Projects/Ohms_Law/ohmslaw.html

For a simple explaination and working examples.

Regards, Malcolm Reade

Logged

HS93 (RIP)

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2,922
  • I cannot spell , tough
  • Location: Rainhill UK
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #21 on: July 04, 2006, 12:04:21 pm »

ARE WE TRYING TO CONFUSE PEOPLE ???

Extract from electonize

As with all modern controllers, the motor speed is controlled by a P.W.M. (pulse width modulation) system. Power to the motor is pulsed on and off at high speed so that the speed varies with the on to off proportion.

so very little heat  ... as long as you are NOT trying to draw more curent than the controller rating..

Peter
Logged

Made it to 80 (25p Richer now)

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 729
  • Location: Lincolnshire
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #22 on: July 04, 2006, 12:30:26 pm »

Hang on gents this is getting like 'A' level physics left all that behind when I left school ,we are talking model boats here isn't it simpler to say use an electronic speed controler when you want to go fast you push the stick all the way up when you want to slow things down move the stick nearer to the middle and when you want to stop you centre the stick
                 Cheers just of to do what life is all about sail model boats
                                                Cheers
                                                      Bob B
Logged
I'm not old I'm mature middle aged

malcolmfrary

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6,027
  • Location: Blackpool, Lancs, UK
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #23 on: July 04, 2006, 04:08:32 pm »

Hi Malcolm

The downside is the amount of energy lost by the battery in heating up your "resistor".? Shorter running times etc?

Regards, Malcolm Reade



There will be heating of the resistor, but it should not be serious.  Obviously the run time will be reduced as agaist the optimum arrangement of the right motor and battery, but it should still be acceptable. The idea was to retain the full movement of the transmitter stick, not over-power the motor, and do it as cheaply as possible both in terms of cash and effort.  Of course, if a way could be found to use the energy dissipated by the resistor....
Logged
"With the right tool, you can break anything" - Garfield

Colin Bishop

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 12,171
  • Location: SW Surrey, UK
Re: Reducing from 12v to 6v
« Reply #24 on: July 04, 2006, 06:29:37 pm »

Quote
Of course, if a way could be found to use the energy dissipated by the resistor..

Central heating for your boat....
Logged
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up
 

Page created in 0.099 seconds with 22 queries.