My Senior design project - a "Swamp Thing" tracked vehicle clone

[MossRoad]

.... I left room on the left for another gauge which is undecided at this time. Any suggestion what to put there?

 

[ArlyA]

If Moss would just come up to the UP during the winter, we could put you on a tracked machine and in snow.

 

[MossRoad]

If Moss would just come up to the UP during the winter, we could put you on a tracked machine and in snow.

I'd like that. I'd also like to go cross country skiing and do some ice fishing. We have had some weak winters here the past 10 years. Very little snow.

 

[Garauld]

I really like the "Fun Meter" idea. I am going to have a vinyl sticky made and paste it there. Thanks for the idea!

 

[Garauld]

I test wired up the speedometer display to see how it would look on the bench before I installed it in the dash. I think it will work well.

 

[Xfaxman]

But it only displays up to 99.9, will that be fast enough?

 

[Garauld]

So - I will admit that I am not completely happy with the operation of my brake steering system, It works but not as consistently as I would like. This may be due to breaking in the pads. I am thinking of trying out a completely different way of activating the brake steering. How to do it? I am investigating a new way of putting hydraulic pressure to the brake pads: by using a small (it would fit in a 8" box) hydraulic power unit (HPU) for each side. I have ordered one to play with and a controller for it. Pics below. It is variable speed and can output at least 1500 psi. My thought process is that when I wish to steer, a pull on the appropriate steering lever would trip a limit switch to turn on the HPU controller. A N.O. solenoid valve (brake line lock valve) that was keeping the line at zero pressure would then be closed. The lever also rotates a potentiometer to adjust the speed/pressure output of the HPU. More rpms = more pressure = more braking. Releasing the lever would shut off the power unit and open the bleed valve to drop the line to zero pressure. A common reservoir would supply both HPUs. Your thoughts?

 

[pmsmechanic]

If the purpose is to showcase your skills as an engineer and your ability to configure electronics then by all means do it.

Myself personally I would look into utilizing a second caliper on the brake disc first.

Having a toy is fine but I want simplicity for reliability's sake when I would have the machine way out in the bush.

Those are my thoughts.

 

[Garauld]

I already have two calipers on each rotor. The second one is for the service brake.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I already have two calipers on each rotor. The second one is for the service brake.

I'm not sure how your service brake is applied but could you not use the park brake feature of an automotive rear caliper as the service brake and use the hydraulic part in tandem with your other caliper for the turning brakes?