My 5 Channel Traxxas Link H.O. TQ2/TQ3/TQ4 to TQ5 conversion is complete

[wantAsummit]

Over the last few months I have been working on adding control over the 5 channels available in the latest Traxxas Link H.O. series of radio systems. I have a TQ2 and a TQ4 version to play with and decided to base my project on the TQ2 just to show what can be done. Here is what I have done:

• I have left the original functionality from Traxxas alone because I think it was fine the way it was. This project added control and functionality to all 5 channels above and beyond the original setup.
• It has 10 model memory for custom configurations on top of the original Link functionality.
• It now has a 2x12 character LCD display for the new menu used to configure each of the model settings.
• The menu is driven by a momentary toggle and an incremental encoder knob.
• There is (1) two-position switch 'S1' and (3) three-position switches 'T1', 'T2', and 'T3'.
• Each switch can be assigned to any channel (CH3 - CH5).
• Each channel can be assigned a function (True Position, Mix1 from steering, Mix2 from throttle).
• Each switch position can be assigned a value for its function (servo position, mix%).
• It can be set up anywhere from (3) three-position channels to a configuration that includes steering mix channel, a throttle mix channel, and a 3-position channel.
• True Position is just an assigned servo position. It does not need trim or endpoints and can be set in any order.
• Mix1 from steering can be set up anywhere from full mirror image steering to front only to crab walk steering. There is even an added function which can be assigned to S1 to inhibit front steering for rear only.
• Mix2 from throttle can be set up anywhere from front dig to rear dig to full power on both ESCs.
• If I missed any functionality, I could add it in my firmware.

This was truly a fun project and I think it can cover any current or future RC vehicle that I have or will get. It can work with a comp crawler with mechanical dig, it can work with a super with MOA and rear steer, it can work with a scaler with LEDs and winch, and most of all it will work with the new XR10 with MOA and cutting brakes.

You can see my build thread here: My TQ5 5 channel pistol project has begun

I'll add a picture of the final project and a few of the menu display when I get home tonight.

[wantAsummit]

Here is a picture of the final fully functional project:


And a few of the LCD showing some of the menu text:

[YukonCrawler]

That is fricken intence nice job man

[Erock]

That is awesome. Looking through your other thread it looks like this was pretty challenging, but I would bet a lot of ppl would want this kind of setup for both price and function. So was it really a big pain to do this?

[STEEL_CITY_CRAWLER]

very nice! i am digging the "spikey" look on top with the switches...

[jut]

What do you charge for one of those?

[T3rry]

Originally Posted by jut

What do you charge for one of those?

what he said

[STEEL_CITY_CRAWLER]

Originally Posted by jut

What do you charge for one of those?

Originally Posted by T3rry

what he said

i seriously doubt he would do that. if you take the time and read through his full build thread, this build was a fairly labor intensive build, that he did for fun.

[goldmember]

I am in abosolute amazement!

[T3rry]

Originally Posted by STEEL_CITY_CRAWLER

i seriously doubt he would do that. if you take the time and read through his full build thread, this build was a fairly labor intensive build, that he did for fun.

i know, but a man can dream :P

[Hvrc]

Originally Posted by T3rry

i know, but a man can dream :P

Ditto.

[Greatscott]

That is the "Mad Max" of radios, very nice work!!!

[losikid]

How easy would it be to do that programing for the lcd if you have no programming experience, i'd like to do something for my build like that

[wantAsummit]

Thanks for your support, I appreciate the feedback. It was a fun project and it is nice when 2 of my hobbies can come together like this.

It took some time to get the firmware and the user interface correct. I was patient and took my time. The most difficult part was deciding how to come up with the easiest way to set up and control the most features that a crawler would need. I think I covered most of the cases.

For the firmware, the menu system was by far the most time consuming. You need to anticipate and control the flow through the menu and make sure that wrong selections can't be made. For instance if CH3 was already assigned to mix1 then I wouldn't even present it as an option for CH4 or CH5.

While firmware can always be changed, the packaging of the hardware was a task all on its own. I had to find room for the microcontroller demonstration board, a perf board, the LCD, and all the switches and wires. While there is a lot of room at first glance I know that things got tight by the end.

Also, thanks to all of you that say you want a TQ5 like this. It shows that I am not alone in what I wanted my radio to do. I accomplished all I could with a demonstration board from the microcontroller manufacturer. That is a step that is only supposed to be done once in a project for proof of concept. I never planned to do more than one of these, but it may be worth my effort to see what I can do with a new board layout. I think I can fit it all the brains in the battery compartment. Then there is just the LCD and switches to install.

Here is what the inside of mine looks like:

[STEEL_CITY_CRAWLER]

haha, wow, that's a lot stuffed in there. looks like someone spent a lot of time mastering tetris to get it all to fit!!!

[Peaker]

Now thats what i call a seriously modded radio

I like it,,,,,, a lot ( and i do not own any traxxas radios )

[Sydwaiz]

Wow, that's awesome! Maybe RC4WD should hire you.

[wantAsummit]

Originally Posted by Sydwaiz

Wow, that's awesome!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Sydwaiz

Maybe RC4WD should hire you.

Now that would be awesome.

[spoo76]

So the next step is a pre-programed kit right?

[SDheavymetal]

How that's crazy! It hurts my brain just looking at the radio.