Making R2-D2 Video Series: - Introduction to a DIY R2-D2 Build: th-cam.com/video/hkkSagTsLXY/w-d-xo.html - Part 1 Making the dome: th-cam.com/video/HaZ7ABkhwn8/w-d-xo.html - Part 2 Painting the dome: th-cam.com/video/inoqE19ODUQ/w-d-xo.html - Part 3 Dome lights & holoprojectors: th-cam.com/video/hDR9z1PAJSA/w-d-xo.html - Part 4 Dome Completion: th-cam.com/video/PnjCrLlJtig/w-d-xo.html - Part 5 Mark 3 Body Assembly: th-cam.com/video/m6VXt6VGZ3c/w-d-xo.html - Part 6 R2 Sound System Basics: th-cam.com/video/cZ3sVYs7T9I/w-d-xo.html - Part 7 R2 Electronic Basics: th-cam.com/video/AmUuZH3UHXg/w-d-xo.html - Part 8 R2 Legs & Foot Drives: th-cam.com/video/PLyOKD5oAyM/w-d-xo.html - Part 9 Painting R2-D2: th-cam.com/video/E8h0l4rHvC4/w-d-xo.html - Part 10 Installing Electronics: th-cam.com/video/bg_tN6HCYN4/w-d-xo.html - Conclusion to a DIY R2-D2 Build: th-cam.com/video/sIpBA6UigTQ/w-d-xo.html
Great series John. I am early 50s and recently stopped playing pool due to a long term injury - that has left a massive hole. I have been thinking of building an R2 for a few weeks and finally decided about 2 weeks ago as it ticks all the boxes of interests I had when younger - building, Electronics, Programming. I went into last weekend not knowing where to start. After watching your first videos I knew exactly where to start and now just over a week into 3 or 4 month planning. Thank you. Bobby
Really looking forward to starting mine later this year, you can tell your skill from building scale helis over the years with the care over the final fit and finish looks amazing John.
Thanks Gary - Hope you enjoy your R2 build as well. There are certainly frustrations, but as you correctly pointed out, scale RC helicopters prime you well for them, along with a few new 4 letter words to add to the vocabulary 😄
@@Rchelicopterfun I'm sure I'm in for some fraustration in the build, will you be doing a video at the end how to actually program the Opentx radio as a model setup, it's a bit different to creating a heli or plane setup, I intend using my radiomaster, im very patient and in no rush, I will print on the lowest settings possible, I did see you can buy 3.25 inch omni wheels to save one headache quite reasonable shopping around. Things like the sabertooth boards I have found hard to find in stock from the UK. This Covid situation hasn't helped the world of electronics parts, your fit and finish is a fantastic example of how R2 should look.
Thanks for another excellent and informative video John. You have a good voice and a very clear way of explaining concepts. I'm surprised that you don't have many more subscribers - just a metter of time I think. I chickened out on a full size build and went 50% for my first try. Will definitely want to go larger once it is finished, but may stop at 2/3 - full size looks like it might be intimidating for the grand kids.
Talking about wire - I have lots of CAT 5 and CAT 6 network cable cutoffs, so I tend to use that. They have 4 pairs per cable which is nice. I tend to use one pair for Serial or I2C and the rest for power.
Great Idea! The 4 pairs are also twisted so if you are sending power through one or two pairs, it will cut down on signal interference in the ones used for your serial protocols. 👍
As stated in the video, current produced is tiny on standard relay coils when the field collapses, it's the voltage rating that's more important. There is however tons of info online how to choose diodes to suppress relay voltage spikes. Use your google fu.
Hi John, great series of videos. I have gone through your list of electronics used and where to purchase them. Unfortunately the sabre and the alternative listed are both out of stock. Do you have any other suggestions. I live in BC and am trying to avoid any US shipments and duties.
Yep, they are out of stock everywhere it seems due to the chip shortage. You can contact Dimension Engineering to see if they know when they will have stock to ship to retailers. The last fellow that checked a month or so ago said late May/Early June but that time frame may have changed. Once Dimension Engineering has stock to ship, we should see stock levels rising again at places like Amazon and the Robot Shop.
I'm new to electronics, and I've been really inspired by your R2-D2 build videos! They've motivated me to take the plunge and start building my own. Would you say this video about the electronics is beginner-friendly? I'm intimidated by the usage of Arduinos.
You would be in a better position to answer that than I am. Do you find it beginner friendly? I'm simply showing the main components I used in my build. I don't use any Arduino in my R2 since it's standard RC controlled, however the main components here (other than the RC stuff) are pretty much used in every R2 be it RC or Arduino.
I address this question in the introduction of the video @ 1:04 ; specifically mentioning the link in the description to Rob Howdle's excellent control systems PDF which covers all the pros and cons of the many different systems. I also stated why I specifically used an RC system on my build in the control portion chapter of this video @ 4:54.
Hi John I’ve just started building my R2 and am a complete beginner when it comes to the electronics can you recommend any basics instructions I can download to read on that element of the build
@Andy Roberts - As I mentioned right at the beginning of the video when talking about good resources on this topic, the two by Rob Howdle on basic electronics & control systems. As I also said in the video, I link to them in the description.
Have you made a video on how to program the Radio for tank movement on the two foot motors for the Sabertooth 2.x 32. I'm using the new Kyber System with my FrSky X20 and set up a channel for the ailerons but it's only moving forward and backwards?
Totally depends on your understanding and experience level with electronics. If you have little to no electronic experience or background, an R2 electrical & control system will be be a steep leaning curve. If you have lots of electronic knowledge and experience - you'll be able to figure an R2's electrical & control systems out in your sleep.
Does anyone have a link to the terminal block for the power relay? The IDEC RH3B relay link still works, but I can't seem to find the matching terminal block for it.
Yes, the 25Amp controller would be very adequate with most full size R2 builds; but of course it totally depends on what motors and voltage your system is running at. Using Ohms law to calculate the maximum current your motors will draw at the voltage you are running at is how you determine their running current. Double that current to be safe. Most R2 builders recommend the 32Amp version of the Sabretooth for the simple reason it used to be the exact same price as the 25Amp version, and is exactly why I went with the 32Amp not to mention the 25Amp was out of stock at the time. 25Amps would have been more than enough for my 24V system, and seeing my 100W motors in a 100 lb R2 rarely peak over 5Amps @ 24V, even the Sabertooth 2X12 would have worked fine.
wow im learning 3d prints my reason is to one day build a life size r2 mine well be just there to be apart of my star wars collection but to see this its mind blowing
Making R2-D2 Video Series:
- Introduction to a DIY R2-D2 Build: th-cam.com/video/hkkSagTsLXY/w-d-xo.html
- Part 1 Making the dome: th-cam.com/video/HaZ7ABkhwn8/w-d-xo.html
- Part 2 Painting the dome: th-cam.com/video/inoqE19ODUQ/w-d-xo.html
- Part 3 Dome lights & holoprojectors: th-cam.com/video/hDR9z1PAJSA/w-d-xo.html
- Part 4 Dome Completion: th-cam.com/video/PnjCrLlJtig/w-d-xo.html
- Part 5 Mark 3 Body Assembly: th-cam.com/video/m6VXt6VGZ3c/w-d-xo.html
- Part 6 R2 Sound System Basics: th-cam.com/video/cZ3sVYs7T9I/w-d-xo.html
- Part 7 R2 Electronic Basics: th-cam.com/video/AmUuZH3UHXg/w-d-xo.html
- Part 8 R2 Legs & Foot Drives: th-cam.com/video/PLyOKD5oAyM/w-d-xo.html
- Part 9 Painting R2-D2: th-cam.com/video/E8h0l4rHvC4/w-d-xo.html
- Part 10 Installing Electronics: th-cam.com/video/bg_tN6HCYN4/w-d-xo.html
- Conclusion to a DIY R2-D2 Build: th-cam.com/video/sIpBA6UigTQ/w-d-xo.html
Great series John. I am early 50s and recently stopped playing pool due to a long term injury - that has left a massive hole. I have been thinking of building an R2 for a few weeks and finally decided about 2 weeks ago as it ticks all the boxes of interests I had when younger - building, Electronics, Programming. I went into last weekend not knowing where to start. After watching your first videos I knew exactly where to start and now just over a week into 3 or 4 month planning. Thank you. Bobby
Nice , I love how you put all the items you use in the description on where to get them, great work. 👍
Thanks
@@Rchelicopterfun np
hi John this vid series is without a doubt the most complete and comphrehensive I've seen to date if you want to build an astromech.
Thanks for the kind feedback & glad to hear you find the series informative. Happy building 👍
Thanks for explaining the relays. Awesome idea that I don't think I've seen elsewhere.
👍🙂
Amazing build John, looking forward to you finishing it.
You and me both 😄
Really looking forward to starting mine later this year, you can tell your skill from building scale helis over the years with the care over the final fit and finish looks amazing John.
Thanks Gary - Hope you enjoy your R2 build as well. There are certainly frustrations, but as you correctly pointed out, scale RC helicopters prime you well for them, along with a few new 4 letter words to add to the vocabulary 😄
@@Rchelicopterfun I'm sure I'm in for some fraustration in the build, will you be doing a video at the end how to actually program the Opentx radio as a model setup, it's a bit different to creating a heli or plane setup, I intend using my radiomaster, im very patient and in no rush, I will print on the lowest settings possible, I did see you can buy 3.25 inch omni wheels to save one headache quite reasonable shopping around. Things like the sabertooth boards I have found hard to find in stock from the UK. This Covid situation hasn't helped the world of electronics parts, your fit and finish is a fantastic example of how R2 should look.
Thanks for another excellent and informative video John. You have a good voice and a very clear way of explaining concepts. I'm surprised that you don't have many more subscribers - just a metter of time I think.
I chickened out on a full size build and went 50% for my first try. Will definitely want to go larger once it is finished, but may stop at 2/3 - full size looks like it might be intimidating for the grand kids.
🙂👍
Loving the series.
Thanks for watching 🙂
Joe and Georgia really liked watching you making this John. Joe thinks it is really cool😘
Talking about wire - I have lots of CAT 5 and CAT 6 network cable cutoffs, so I tend to use that. They have 4 pairs per cable which is nice. I tend to use one pair for Serial or I2C and the rest for power.
Great Idea! The 4 pairs are also twisted so if you are sending power through one or two pairs, it will cut down on signal interference in the ones used for your serial protocols. 👍
Just a great build! Really enjoying it 😊
Glad you enjoy it 🙂
Good video! The flyback diode on the relays was a great tip! But how many amps are the diode? How to chose the correct specs? Thanks.
As stated in the video, current produced is tiny on standard relay coils when the field collapses, it's the voltage rating that's more important. There is however tons of info online how to choose diodes to suppress relay voltage spikes. Use your google fu.
Hi John, great series of videos. I have gone through your list of electronics used and where to purchase them. Unfortunately the sabre and the alternative listed are both out of stock. Do you have any other suggestions. I live in BC and am trying to avoid any US shipments and duties.
Yep, they are out of stock everywhere it seems due to the chip shortage. You can contact Dimension Engineering to see if they know when they will have stock to ship to retailers. The last fellow that checked a month or so ago said late May/Early June but that time frame may have changed. Once Dimension Engineering has stock to ship, we should see stock levels rising again at places like Amazon and the Robot Shop.
I'm new to electronics, and I've been really inspired by your R2-D2 build videos! They've motivated me to take the plunge and start building my own.
Would you say this video about the electronics is beginner-friendly? I'm intimidated by the usage of Arduinos.
You would be in a better position to answer that than I am. Do you find it beginner friendly? I'm simply showing the main components I used in my build. I don't use any Arduino in my R2 since it's standard RC controlled, however the main components here (other than the RC stuff) are pretty much used in every R2 be it RC or Arduino.
Great series! Can I ask what is the benefit of this over using an Android PI as the control while power delivering directly to the servos and motors?
I address this question in the introduction of the video @ 1:04 ; specifically mentioning the link in the description to Rob Howdle's excellent control systems PDF which covers all the pros and cons of the many different systems. I also stated why I specifically used an RC system on my build in the control portion chapter of this video @ 4:54.
@Rchelicopterfun thanks 😊 I watched all your vids in one day alot of information! I will recheck, and thank you for sharing these!
Hi John I’ve just started building my R2 and am a complete beginner when it comes to the electronics can you recommend any basics instructions I can download to read on that element of the build
@Andy Roberts - As I mentioned right at the beginning of the video when talking about good resources on this topic, the two by Rob Howdle on basic electronics & control systems. As I also said in the video, I link to them in the description.
Have you made a video on how to program the Radio for tank movement on the two foot motors for the Sabertooth 2.x 32. I'm using the new Kyber System with my FrSky X20 and set up a channel for the ailerons but it's only moving forward and backwards?
Nope, I never made any Sabertooth videos - just followed their directions and programming software for RC connectivity and it worked.
I wanted to ask how hard is the electronics. i am not an expert in any means. just wondering. love the r2 videos was helpful
Totally depends on your understanding and experience level with electronics. If you have little to no electronic experience or background, an R2 electrical & control system will be be a steep leaning curve. If you have lots of electronic knowledge and experience - you'll be able to figure an R2's electrical & control systems out in your sleep.
@@Rchelicopterfun well then i guess i will have a large leaning curve ahead of me. thanks for the answer
Hi again.When you build R2 what film introduce use . Thank you
Does anyone have a link to the terminal block for the power relay? The IDEC RH3B relay link still works, but I can't seem to find the matching terminal block for it.
Hi! I was wondering if a Sabertooth 2x25a would work just like the sabertooth 2x32a? Also what would the difference be? Thanks!
Yes, the 25Amp controller would be very adequate with most full size R2 builds; but of course it totally depends on what motors and voltage your system is running at. Using Ohms law to calculate the maximum current your motors will draw at the voltage you are running at is how you determine their running current. Double that current to be safe. Most R2 builders recommend the 32Amp version of the Sabretooth for the simple reason it used to be the exact same price as the 25Amp version, and is exactly why I went with the 32Amp not to mention the 25Amp was out of stock at the time. 25Amps would have been more than enough for my 24V system, and seeing my 100W motors in a 100 lb R2 rarely peak over 5Amps @ 24V, even the Sabertooth 2X12 would have worked fine.
wow im learning 3d prints my reason is to one day build a life size r2 mine well be just there to be apart of my star wars collection but to see this its mind blowing
🙂 Promo-SM!