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

Garauld · Nov 5, 2020

The Snowzer sideshow continues.. After a few fits and starts I finally got the "Select-a-speed" wiring installed and tested. In summary, this lets me specify which gear will be used when the shifter is moved to Drive. I test drove it today and worked just fine. Here's the wiring schematic and a few images of it. Yes, I plan to make a nicer dash legend.

strantor · Nov 10, 2020

Hah! Nice paper legend plate. It needs an asterisk with fine print almost too small to read "for testing purposes only."

davedj1 · Nov 10, 2020

Garauld said:
Well, the previous schematic wouldn't work; a diode was in the wrong place. I hope this one will. I am currently soldering together the components and will try it out soon.

View attachment 673824

You have an awesome project! Sometimes when I'm doodling out a schematic I use colored sharpies to draw it out, it helps me keep track of things. Keep on sharing this with us, thanks.

Garauld · Nov 10, 2020

Thanks for the encouragement. I installed the windshield today and plan to hook up the wiper tomorrow if the weather cooperates.

pmsmechanic · Nov 10, 2020

Did the UHMW on the sprockets make the track quieter?

ArlyA · Nov 10, 2020

Pictures will be posted soon I hope!

Garauld · Nov 10, 2020

I am not sure the UHMW plastic made much of a difference. The tracks still chatter especially at higher speeds. I may try loosening the tension on them to see if it makes a difference.

Garauld · Nov 14, 2020

Chilly here today with a nice breeze to keep the bugs away. Actually, too fricken cold to do anything except take a photo showing the new windshield installed. I'll probably put the wiper on it tomorrow. I recently found a used NP231J transfer case at a decent price that I plan to procure next week. I will see if I can use it as a speed increaser or rev decreaser depending on how you think. Currently, Snowzer is geared to go about 18 mph at 6,000 rpm in 4th (OD) gear. This tc has a ratio of 2.72:1 which could reduce the revs at 18 mph to 2200 rpm to up the top speed to 49 mph at 6000 rpm. If it fits within the chassis along with the two prop shafts, I probably won't put it in after winter once I played around in the snow a bit. :thumbsup: