News

Our controllers end up in all sorts of applications, this mining train must surely have one of the hardest working DNO-10s out there.

[wp_social_sharing social_options=’facebook,twitter,googleplus,linkedin’ twitter_username=” facebook_text=’Share on Facebook’ twitter_text=’Share on Twitter’ googleplus_text=’Share on Google+’ linkedin_text=’Share on Linkedin’ icon_order=’f,t,g,l’ show_icons=’0′ before_button_text=” text_position=” social_image=”]

As keen sailors we love getting involved with nautical projects. The owner of this magnificent ketch wanted to get smoother control over the operation of the mainsail outhaul which is powered by a hydraulic ram with the pump being driven by an electric motor. Our marinised Porter 10XX fitted the bill nicely.

[wp_social_sharing social_options=’facebook,twitter,googleplus,linkedin’ twitter_username=” facebook_text=’Share on Facebook’ twitter_text=’Share on Twitter’ googleplus_text=’Share on Google+’ linkedin_text=’Share on Linkedin’ icon_order=’f,t,g,l’ show_icons=’0′ before_button_text=” text_position=” social_image=”]

We’re getting a lot of interest in our Pro-160 that is in development so we thought we’d share some good news…..

It works!

Admittedly these are rev 1 boards, and the software still has a way to go but it makes a motor run forwards and backwards, and we’re seeing sensible current readings on the display.

A lot of effort has gone into getting the internal power supply able to operate between 12V and 100V which gives us the foundation for a very flexible range of controllers. We’ve also got a water cooled heatsink designed which will allow this baby to handle some big numbers.

The rev 2 gerbers are going to the factory next week so we’re expecting what should be sample ready hardware in May.

Nico has done a great job on the schematics and layout, now it’s over to Erica for some software magic.

[wp_social_sharing social_options=’facebook,twitter,googleplus,linkedin’ twitter_username=” facebook_text=’Share on Facebook’ twitter_text=’Share on Twitter’ googleplus_text=’Share on Google+’ linkedin_text=’Share on Linkedin’ icon_order=’f,t,g,l’ show_icons=’0′ before_button_text=” text_position=” social_image=”]

Well it’s actually a French loco to be honest, but as Marc Roulin sent us this picture of his loco running at the Swiss Steam Park we couldn’t resist the title.

Using a Pro-150 driving twin 500W motors.

[wp_social_sharing social_options=’facebook,twitter,googleplus,linkedin’ twitter_username=” facebook_text=’Share on Facebook’ twitter_text=’Share on Twitter’ googleplus_text=’Share on Google+’ linkedin_text=’Share on Linkedin’ icon_order=’f,t,g,l’ show_icons=’0′ before_button_text=” text_position=” social_image=”]

Here’s a preview of our update to our BCM-524 battery meter. The old analogue model has been extremely popular and features in many designs. However battery technology marches on and we wanted something that would give more accurate results with lithium batteries and other types with flat discharge curves. We’ve used an ATtiny micro to produce a programmable replacement that can work with the small voltage changes these batteries give. Other features include temperature compensation, and a switchable output that can be used for a low voltage cut-off. Oh, and it still has the same hole spacings so it’s a direct physical replacement in most applications.

The first model will be suitable for 12V – 24V, we’ll produce some standard voltage curves for the common battery technologies, but if you want something custom please let us know.

[wp_social_sharing social_options=’facebook,twitter,googleplus,linkedin’ twitter_username=” facebook_text=’Share on Facebook’ twitter_text=’Share on Twitter’ googleplus_text=’Share on Google+’ linkedin_text=’Share on Linkedin’ icon_order=’f,t,g,l’ show_icons=’0′ before_button_text=” text_position=” social_image=”]

Pronch Mulholland brought his PDQ power trike in for some TLC. We’ve now found a way to fit our Porter 5 into the existing control box making for a neat installation that retains most of the existing wiring. We’ve written up some quick notes on how we did it and included a wiring diagram.

The supersize battery box is made from steel and houses 3 x 15AHr sealed lead acid batteries. It gives much better traction for hill starts as well as extending the range.

[wp_social_sharing social_options=’facebook,twitter,googleplus,linkedin’ twitter_username=” facebook_text=’Share on Facebook’ twitter_text=’Share on Twitter’ googleplus_text=’Share on Google+’ linkedin_text=’Share on Linkedin’ icon_order=’f,t,g,l’ show_icons=’0′ before_button_text=” text_position=” social_image=”]

Drum roll………. 4QD are pleased to introduce to the world our new baby – the SST-31.

It’s a small but perfectly formed, very clever, single direction controller for 12-35V and up to 30A.

It’s built around a Picaxe microcontroller, so as well as providing basic motor speed control, it can accept multiple control inputs and also has spare outputs for controlling ancillary equipment.

It’s ideal for the smaller motor control project, particularly those that need some element of customisation. We’ve made the software open source, and the Picaxe development system makes writing your own programs easy.

[wp_social_sharing social_options=’facebook,twitter,googleplus,linkedin’ twitter_username=” facebook_text=’Share on Facebook’ twitter_text=’Share on Twitter’ googleplus_text=’Share on Google+’ linkedin_text=’Share on Linkedin’ icon_order=’f,t,g,l’ show_icons=’0′ before_button_text=” text_position=” social_image=”]

Not really our normal line of work, but we do know a fair bit about batteries and mosfets, so when we were asked if we could design a PCB for a Vape mod machine it seemed rude to say no.

[wp_social_sharing social_options=’facebook,twitter,googleplus,linkedin’ twitter_username=” facebook_text=’Share on Facebook’ twitter_text=’Share on Twitter’ googleplus_text=’Share on Google+’ linkedin_text=’Share on Linkedin’ icon_order=’f,t,g,l’ show_icons=’0′ before_button_text=” text_position=” social_image=”]

An exciting day for us – we’ve just received the first PCBs for our new Pro-160 controller.

This is a modular, relay free progression from the Pro-150, headline features are

• Up to 250A and 84V depending on mosfets, capacitors, and heatsink fitted.
• 2 x 16 digit display.
• Multiple control modes e.g. open loop, RPM, and current control.
• Radio control input.
• Separate communications board.
• Loads of other features and control inputs.

Where’s my soldering iron? – lets get building!

[wp_social_sharing social_options=’facebook,twitter,googleplus,linkedin’ twitter_username=” facebook_text=’Share on Facebook’ twitter_text=’Share on Twitter’ googleplus_text=’Share on Google+’ linkedin_text=’Share on Linkedin’ icon_order=’f,t,g,l’ show_icons=’0′ before_button_text=” text_position=” social_image=”]

Lewis S sent us this video of his amazing Armotek Panther tank. It has just been fitted with twin DNO-10s and a DMR-203 radio control interface.

[wp_social_sharing social_options=’facebook,twitter,googleplus,linkedin’ twitter_username=” facebook_text=’Share on Facebook’ twitter_text=’Share on Twitter’ googleplus_text=’Share on Google+’ linkedin_text=’Share on Linkedin’ icon_order=’f,t,g,l’ show_icons=’0′ before_button_text=” text_position=” social_image=”]