RCCrawler Forums

BrockGrimes · 03-03-2006, 03:07 PM

Ok here's the build up thread.

BrockGrimes · 03-03-2006, 03:28 PM

Ok here we go:
First gather your stuff:

Parts:
Motor Spring
Potentiometer
knob

Tools:
Screw driver
solder and soldering iron

Take apart the controler and remove the wires from the toggle switch.
They are the black white and gray in the pic.
Then solder them to the potentiometer, like in pic below.
Borrowed this pic from grizzly.

BrockGrimes · 03-03-2006, 03:32 PM

Then install the motor spring.
You'll have to solder it while it's in the radio.
Because the nut to hold the potentiometer wont go on
after the spring has been soldered on. So install, then solder.
Bend one end of the spring down and hook it in one of the grooves in the
potentiometer, then solder it to it. You'll have to bend the other end up
and attach it to the knob, but that's later.

Here's the spring sitting on the potentiometer:

Remember this should already be in the radio, I just took this because it was easier to see.

Here it is in the radio soldered, you'll have to look close:

BrockGrimes · 03-03-2006, 03:35 PM

Once the potentiometer is installed and the spring is installed and soldered to the potentiometer. Now you install your knob. Pick a knob that suits you. But you need to have a way to connect the spring I just used 2 bolts and bent the spring so it would ride between them, this is only a temp. I just did it this way to see if it would work. I recommend something a little more permanent.

Here's what it looks like put together, again this should be in the radio by now.

BrockGrimes · 03-03-2006, 03:40 PM

Here's a picture of it installed on my radio.
I know it looks bad but again this was just a temp.
Just to see if it would work, I'll get a new knob from Radioshack
and clean things up a bit. You can see the spring between the potentiometer
and the wheel.

And that's all folks fully proportional steering and I built it with shiz I had sitting
in the garage. The potentiometer came out of an old transmitter, the spring
from an old motor, and the little tire from a model. It works great I couldn't be more pleased.

Just a few tips:
Hot glue or shoegoo the potentiometer in the radio.
I know the nut will be used to basically just keep it in place, but if you crank
down on the nut it will mess up the rotation on the pot. So snug the nut then
shoegoo or hot glue the pot. in the radio for extra support. I used hot glue.
Hook everthing up as far as wiring before you glue and solder and screw everything shut, just to test it out.

If you have any questions drop me a line.

dorji · 03-03-2006, 06:03 PM

nice job.

looks pretty simple to do. how easy is it to turn the two wheels at the same time while working the trottle?

bigred · 03-03-2006, 06:37 PM

If the spring returns it to center like i think it does, then you'll have to hold the rear steer where you want it, thats the only draw back i see. Im a fan of the Ron Popeil way " Set it and forget it" that the 3 way offers.

metomwhou · 03-03-2006, 06:49 PM

I'm guessing that you did this to have not just proportional rear steering, but independent rear steering aswell, right? If you wanted the rear to turn with the fronts, but not crab steer, you could rig up a steering link between the two Radio wheels. I'd connect it at the bottom of the wheels since I hold my radio wheel around the 3 and 9 o'clock position with my thumb and index finger and the link wouldn't get in the way of my hands. It'd pretty much look like a steering link on the front axle. I can see it clearly, just not sure if I explained it right to make sense.

TwistedCreations · 03-03-2006, 06:53 PM

Then why not just save the hassle of this and install a Y harness if you want the rear to turn the whole time?

BrandonT · 03-03-2006, 07:21 PM

been there done that
2 Steering wheel Radio ????

AdamF · 03-03-2006, 07:24 PM

Is there really an advantage of preportional rear steer anyways?

And it looks like you cant be on the throttle, front steer, and rear steer, all at the same time. YOu have to take your right hand off the front steer to operate the rear steer.

BrandonT · 03-03-2006, 07:26 PM

the radios spanker and I have. you use your thumb to turn the wheel for the rear steer

bigred · 03-03-2006, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamF

Is there really an advantage of preportional rear steer anyways?

I never thought so, my crawlers need to be turned full lock just to turn.

AdamF · 03-03-2006, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandonT

the radios spanker and I have. you use your to turn the wheel for the rear steer

You use your what?

BrockGrimes · 03-03-2006, 07:46 PM

Ok I see radios on that page but not a how to.

I did this so that I can turn the rear independant of the front and have control of how much it turns. I drive the rear with my thumb, on the gas with my finger and steer the front with my right hand. I can walk and chew bubble gum at the same time...lol Plus with it setup like this I can just use rear steer or front or both in any amount in any direction. Or I can use a standard y harness 4ws setup or plain old
2ws and just forget the independant rear steer.
So much negativity, lol. 8-)

bigred · 03-03-2006, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrockGrimes

I can walk and chew bubble gum at the same time...lol Plus with it setup like this I can just use rear steer or front or both in any amount in any direction. So much negativity, lol. 8-)

a 3-way-switch can do the same, i just dont see the point of it, most crawlers dont turn very well if not turned to full lock, unless you run skinny tires then it could be cool.

BrockGrimes · 03-03-2006, 08:04 PM

call it personal preference....more finess

nd4spdbh · 03-03-2006, 08:28 PM

ya thats sort of over the top... i used instead of a center off switch 2 momentary push buttons so i just rock my thumb to control rear steer. MUCH easier and i can do all three at the same time.

bigred · 03-03-2006, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrockGrimes

call it personal preference....more finess

OK, BTW happy B-day

BrockGrimes · 03-03-2006, 09:25 PM

Congradulations your the first.

I'm awaiting parts to do my clod build up but hooked this remote and receiver up on the stock clod, and I am able to drive it using both wheels and the throttle at the same time. I just thumb it. I do tell you this switching and using just the rear steering sure makes drinking a beer easier, lol. I drive with one hand until I start seeing 2 cars then it takes both hands to drive....hmmm wonder if I could get a DUI.

Just kidding I don't drink anymore. but i do enjoy the rear steer it seems to turn tighter. Plus it freaks out the neighborhood kids, when it zigs instead of zags.
It might get old after awhile and if it does I do have a on-off-on switch in the garage, that I bought today, incase this didn't work.

03-03-2006, 03:07 PM	#1
BrockGrimes Rock Crawler Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Warner Robins Posts: 803	Proportional Rearsteer Figured it out Ok here's the build up thread. Last edited by BrockGrimes; 03-03-2006 at 03:47 PM.

03-03-2006, 03:32 PM	#3
BrockGrimes Rock Crawler Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Warner Robins Posts: 803	Then install the motor spring. You'll have to solder it while it's in the radio. Because the nut to hold the potentiometer wont go on after the spring has been soldered on. So install, then solder. Bend one end of the spring down and hook it in one of the grooves in the potentiometer, then solder it to it. You'll have to bend the other end up and attach it to the knob, but that's later. Here's the spring sitting on the potentiometer: Remember this should already be in the radio, I just took this because it was easier to see. Here it is in the radio soldered, you'll have to look close: Last edited by BrockGrimes; 03-03-2006 at 03:50 PM.

03-03-2006, 03:40 PM	#5
BrockGrimes Rock Crawler Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Warner Robins Posts: 803	Here's a picture of it installed on my radio. I know it looks bad but again this was just a temp. Just to see if it would work, I'll get a new knob from Radioshack and clean things up a bit. You can see the spring between the potentiometer and the wheel. And that's all folks fully proportional steering and I built it with shiz I had sitting in the garage. The potentiometer came out of an old transmitter, the spring from an old motor, and the little tire from a model. It works great I couldn't be more pleased. Just a few tips: Hot glue or shoegoo the potentiometer in the radio. I know the nut will be used to basically just keep it in place, but if you crank down on the nut it will mess up the rotation on the pot. So snug the nut then shoegoo or hot glue the pot. in the radio for extra support. I used hot glue. Hook everthing up as far as wiring before you glue and solder and screw everything shut, just to test it out. If you have any questions drop me a line. Last edited by BrockGrimes; 03-03-2006 at 03:53 PM.

03-03-2006, 07:26 PM	#12
BrandonT Rock Stacker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cleveland Posts: 99	the radios spanker and I have. you use your thumb to turn the wheel for the rear steer Last edited by BrandonT; 03-04-2006 at 05:29 AM.

03-03-2006, 08:04 PM	#17
BrockGrimes Rock Crawler Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Warner Robins Posts: 803	call it personal preference....more finess Last edited by BrockGrimes; 03-03-2006 at 08:08 PM.

03-03-2006, 03:28 PM	#2
BrockGrimes Rock Crawler Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Warner Robins Posts: 803	Ok here we go: First gather your stuff: Parts: Motor Spring Potentiometer knob Tools: Screw driver solder and soldering iron Take apart the controler and remove the wires from the toggle switch. They are the black white and gray in the pic. Then solder them to the potentiometer, like in pic below. Borrowed this pic from grizzly.

03-03-2006, 03:35 PM	#4
BrockGrimes Rock Crawler Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Warner Robins Posts: 803	Once the potentiometer is installed and the spring is installed and soldered to the potentiometer. Now you install your knob. Pick a knob that suits you. But you need to have a way to connect the spring I just used 2 bolts and bent the spring so it would ride between them, this is only a temp. I just did it this way to see if it would work. I recommend something a little more permanent. Here's what it looks like put together, again this should be in the radio by now.

03-03-2006, 06:03 PM	#6
dorji Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: in the middle of the pacific ocean Posts: 455	nice job. looks pretty simple to do. how easy is it to turn the two wheels at the same time while working the trottle?

03-03-2006, 06:37 PM	#7
bigred Rock Crawler Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Mt.View CA Posts: 940	If the spring returns it to center like i think it does, then you'll have to hold the rear steer where you want it, thats the only draw back i see. Im a fan of the Ron Popeil way " Set it and forget it" that the 3 way offers.

03-03-2006, 06:49 PM	#8
metomwhou Rock Crawler Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 606	I'm guessing that you did this to have not just proportional rear steering, but independent rear steering aswell, right? If you wanted the rear to turn with the fronts, but not crab steer, you could rig up a steering link between the two Radio wheels. I'd connect it at the bottom of the wheels since I hold my radio wheel around the 3 and 9 o'clock position with my thumb and index finger and the link wouldn't get in the way of my hands. It'd pretty much look like a steering link on the front axle. I can see it clearly, just not sure if I explained it right to make sense.

03-03-2006, 06:53 PM	#9
TwistedCreations Colt Python/SR9c Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: out in the shop, reloading ammo! Posts: 8,626	Then why not just save the hassle of this and install a Y harness if you want the rear to turn the whole time?

03-03-2006, 07:21 PM	#10
BrandonT Rock Stacker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cleveland Posts: 99	been there done that 2 Steering wheel Radio ????

03-03-2006, 07:24 PM	#11
AdamF RCC Addict Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cincinnati Ohio Posts: 1,673	Is there really an advantage of preportional rear steer anyways? And it looks like you cant be on the throttle, front steer, and rear steer, all at the same time. YOu have to take your right hand off the front steer to operate the rear steer.

03-03-2006, 07:46 PM	#15
BrockGrimes Rock Crawler Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Warner Robins Posts: 803	Ok I see radios on that page but not a how to. I did this so that I can turn the rear independant of the front and have control of how much it turns. I drive the rear with my thumb, on the gas with my finger and steer the front with my right hand. I can walk and chew bubble gum at the same time...lol Plus with it setup like this I can just use rear steer or front or both in any amount in any direction. Or I can use a standard y harness 4ws setup or plain old 2ws and just forget the independant rear steer. So much negativity, lol. 8-)

03-03-2006, 08:28 PM	#18
nd4spdbh Rock Crawler Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dude on my dirt bike in SoCal!!! Posts: 949	ya thats sort of over the top... i used instead of a center off switch 2 momentary push buttons so i just rock my thumb to control rear steer. MUCH easier and i can do all three at the same time.

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03-03-2006, 09:25 PM	#20
BrockGrimes Rock Crawler Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Warner Robins Posts: 803	Congradulations your the first. I'm awaiting parts to do my clod build up but hooked this remote and receiver up on the stock clod, and I am able to drive it using both wheels and the throttle at the same time. I just thumb it. I do tell you this switching and using just the rear steering sure makes drinking a beer easier, lol. I drive with one hand until I start seeing 2 cars then it takes both hands to drive....hmmm wonder if I could get a DUI. Just kidding I don't drink anymore. but i do enjoy the rear steer it seems to turn tighter. Plus it freaks out the neighborhood kids, when it zigs instead of zags. It might get old after awhile and if it does I do have a on-off-on switch in the garage, that I bought today, incase this didn't work.

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Thread: Proportional Rearsteer Figured it out