Lunar Rover (prototype)

[Functional Artist]

Let's open this "puppy" up
...to see if we can tell what I "fried"

The only thing that "jumped" out at me (see pic #7)
...is there looks to be some "heat damage", just above the blue wire (throttle signal wire)
...& the red wire (throttle power wire)

The numbers on the entire circuit board are nice-n-clear
...except for right above these (2) wires

The (3) "loose" wires (red, black & blue) in pic #5 are the throttle wires
...& pic #10 is the bottom side of the circuit board

* Sorry about the pics
...the camera didn't seem to wanna "focus" on this area

 

[Brianator]

Bummer.

 

[ol'joe]

I never did quite figure out that this is supposed to really be an "earth rover" made to look like a moon rover until y'all began accepting earth gravity as the one you had to contend with. The 200 pound operator would weigh not quite 35 pounds on the moon, so looks as well as construction would vary a LOT if it were going to be used there, plus no winch required to haul it out of a crater if you had a coil of rope handy.

When the real lunar rover(s) were made (Yeah, only one got shipped), shops all over the nation were awarded contracts to make parts and supply pre-made factory parts, and of course when old Rover became yesterday's news, not all of those parts made it into the piles to be auctioned off as surplus.

Unless something has changed, there is still a garden gate in Tucson AZ that is suspended by a pair of bearings that were custom machined for old Rover at a cost not much less than a half million dollars. As soon as it became evident they would never be used on Rover they became scrap iron and went home with a machinist of my acquaintance to become the primary means of support of his garden gate...…..(Don't get mad, Gordon, I only promised not to tell until the statute of limitations kicked in)….. Joe

 

[Functional Artist]

To make sure the front motor still functioned properly, I removed the rear SC
...& re-installed it in the front

Then, I took 'er for another "test ride"

I wanted to evaluate the motor & SC's functionality
...but also, to get/record some "power consumption" data (with just the (1) motor)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc2OWbgJV9o

Everything seemed fine
...but, after my ride, when I went to put 'er away
...I switched 'er into reverse, to back 'er up
...& everything quit workin' (No forward &/or No reverse) WTF

 

[landuse]

To make sure the front motor still functioned properly, I removed the rear SC
...& re-installed it in the front

Then, I took 'er for another "test ride"

I wanted to evaluate the motor & SC's functionality
...but also, to get/record some "power consumption" data (with just the (1) motor)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc2OWbgJV9o

Everything seemed fine
...but, after my ride, when I went to put 'er away
...I switched 'er into reverse, to back 'er up
...& everything quit workin' (No forward &/or No reverse) WTF

Ugh!!! Sorry man! You will figure it out though

 

[Functional Artist]

Ugh!!! Sorry man! You will figure it out though

Yea, I think my criss-crossed wiring fiasco "took it's toll"

Eh, their only ~$25.00 ea.
...(2) more are "on the way"

Thats kinda why I chose to "learn" on this "smaller stuff"
...instead of messin' up & "fryin' (2) ~$300.00 controllers

---------- Post added at 06:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:43 AM ----------

I never did quite figure out that this is supposed to really be an "earth rover" made to look like a moon rover until y'all began accepting earth gravity as the one you had to contend with. The 200 pound operator would weigh not quite 35 pounds on the moon, so looks as well as construction would vary a LOT if it were going to be used there, plus no winch required to haul it out of a crater if you had a coil of rope handy.

When the real lunar rover(s) were made (Yeah, only one got shipped), shops all over the nation were awarded contracts to make parts and supply pre-made factory parts, and of course when old Rover became yesterday's news, not all of those parts made it into the piles to be auctioned off as surplus.

Unless something has changed, there is still a garden gate in Tucson AZ that is suspended by a pair of bearings that were custom machined for old Rover at a cost not much less than a half million dollars. As soon as it became evident they would never be used on Rover they became scrap iron and went home with a machinist of my acquaintance to become the primary means of support of his garden gate...…..(Don't get mad, Gordon, I only promised not to tell until the statute of limitations kicked in)….. Joe

Howdy Jo

Um...first of all, I don't weigh 200 lbs.

Yea, Sid didn't really agree with the Lunar connection too much either
...but, when I was drawin' 'er up
...she looked like a "Moon Buggy" to me
...plus being electric powered & 4WD too

Kool story!
Hmmm, to be able to handle a Lunar environment
...were them bearings were made outta anything "special"
...or just plain 'ol steel

 

[Functional Artist]

Speed Controller Exploration

I did a video to document my criss-crossed wiring fiasco
...& also did some exploring, inside of the SC to see what makes these things "tick"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8j7Lf8SVGE

 

[Functional Artist]

Test Ride with Dual Motors

I received the (2) new speed controllers
...& got 'em installed

* Hopefully correctly this time

I quadruple checked everything
...so, we should be good

Then, took 'er for another ride

I recorded some "behind the wheel" footage
...then, had Desteny record me ridin' 'er around
...so, you'all could see 'er "in action"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqnWFja9nnU

** Donuts are fun
...but, them "forces" wanna throw ya 'outta the kart

 

[landuse]

Nice one FA!!!

How fast does the rover go?

 

[Functional Artist]

Nice one FA!!!

How fast does the rover go?

Thanks!

Well, I'm still havin' some GPS issues
...but, if I was to "guestimate" I would say that she'll do a "zippy" ~10 MPH off road
...& maybe a "squirrly" ~20 MPH on pavement

I also, had a steering malfunction while "doin donuts' the other day
I noticed that while accelerating, in a turn, that it's really difficult to "straighten 'er back up"
...so, I seem to have "over powered" the (2) cable stops that I had on the left side (ripped 'em right off)

After tihinkin' about it a bit, I made up some retainers out of some 5/16" rod
(hopefully a more permanent solution)
...& just kinda "pressed 'em on" (I used a battery terminal press)

I think she's "back in business" now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDO-YCAbecM

 

[Brianator]

IF for some reason they don't hold, (aluminum) 3/16" "cable stops" for overhead doors should as they can hold a couple thousands of pounds day in and day out. Without the proper crimper (swager) it's still possible but there's a little trick to it to make sure the aluminum isn't compromised and I'd be happy to share IF needed, in that business peoples lives are on the line and there's no room for error....

 

[Functional Artist]

IF for some reason they don't hold, (aluminum) 3/16" "cable stops" for overhead doors should as they can hold a couple thousands of pounds day in and day out. Without the proper crimper (swager) it's still possible but there's a little trick to it to make sure the aluminum isn't compromised and I'd be happy to share IF needed, in that business peoples lives are on the line and there's no room for error....

We ran the bat pack down on 'er twice yesterday, "zippin' around (5-10 miles total)
...& they seem to be "holding up"

But, yes please share

I'm always lookin' to learn "new stuff"

 

[Brianator]

Np at all! Maybe I'll do a instructional for all, they hold MUCH better than the carb linkage style and with the dual "oval" style you can mend 2 pieces together also. Best part is that most sizes are available at Home Depot