1

Open Panzer Help / Re: Airsoft ESC control

« on: June 01, 2018, 05:31:36 AM »

I got this working last night!

So after some testing, it seems that I couldn't get the MERF to detect the Airsoft output from the TCB as a signal to fire, no matter how I connected it. The relay worked to start the firing process, but the response was too slow to control a single shot.

Having looked at the options for the GPIOs as you suggested, I realised that the full functionality of the default Airsoft set up can be emulated there, so I decided to give that a try.

GPIO "A" is set up as an input. This is connected to the switch located at the "selector nub" as I call it. The switch is closed when the firing cycle completes.

GPIO "B" is set to output. This is a single wire connection to the MERF, which detects a high logic signal and initiates the firing cycle at this point.

In the Functions section I've set GPIO B to be turned on by Aux 1 from my radio, and to be turned off by GPIO A detected as being "high".

My idea with the relay did work, but I think the delay in firing the relay caused 2-3 shots to be fired rather than a single shot. Now, using the GPIO directly into the MERF, I get a single shot, every time, working exactly as intended.

2

Open Panzer Help / Re: Airsoft ESC control

« on: May 30, 2018, 06:59:45 AM »

Hmmm. I think the major requirement here is the ability to shut off the "trigger" once the firing cycle has completed - hence hacking the airsoft output. Having a plain RC output mapped to a motor wouldn't work properly (in my mind, unless I'm missing something) as there's no way to kill the motor output once the selector nub hits the switch.

I assumed that the airsoft output from the TCB is running at whatever voltage the battery is running at, or am I incorrect with that assumption? Is the Airsoft output limited/set to 5v? If so, that does help quite a bit with relay selection, and I'll have a look at the ones you suggest as well.

Thanks for your time and input with this, it's really helpful (and the TCB is a great little product, I must say!).

3

Open Panzer Help / Re: Airsoft ESC control

« on: May 29, 2018, 07:01:52 AM »

No worries.

Thanks for the thoughts - I was thinking myself it might be a bit too much to implement.

I think I have a solution though - I'm going to try running a relay which actuates from the Recoil/Airsoft TCB output, and use the relay as the trigger plate for an electronic airsoft controller (Gate Merf 3.2), which should give me the functionality I need, while still using the TCB as the main controller for the gun firing timing/mechinism.

4

Open Panzer Help / Airsoft ESC control

« on: May 22, 2018, 02:32:22 PM »

Hi all.

I'm currently building a Tiger with an airsoft mechbox (MP7/Well R4 type) which I strongly suspect requires more ampage for the motor than the TCB can supply over the built in motor control connectors or the recoil conenctors on the board.

I have a small ESC which can fire up the motor, so I'm wondering if I can re-route the cannon control over to one of the free outputs (I'm currently not using sound or a smoker), but I will still need to feed back the switch from the airsoft mechanism for single fire mode.

I would also like to manage the throttle for the motor, as the full rate of fire from the mechbox overwhelms the gravity fed loading system - having tested with the mechbox conencted via the ESC and controlled directly from a receiver, I can slow down the motor using the ESC to the point that BBs have time to fall into the breach before the nozzle moves back to fire.

So, can I manage the airsoft cannon using a ESC from the TCB, and can I limit the maximum throttle range for this output to slow down the mechbox firing rate?

e; as a quick thought, maybe I can change the positive recoil/airsoft output to PPM to control the ESC?