Creeper and 4WS

I decided to finally do some searching on how to use the wonderful Spektrum DX6i radio to setup for 4WS.

Currently, I have each steering servo on a separate channel.  This is good as it allows me to independently control front and rear steering.  the downside is that if I want to do crab crawl or tight turning, I have to do some additional focus on how to move the sticks.  My searching brought me to this post on rccrawler.com.  The poster goes through how to setup the available custom mixing to allow changing to and from the crab and tight steering.  this setup allows for 2 of the switches to be configures to turn on and off the 2 additional modes, while still allowing full independent control of the steering servos.  Now this poster's setup is slightly different than what I want, and I was able to easily make modifications to the setup to suit how I control my crawler.  And I even documented step-by-step how I did my setup:

Spektrum DX6i setup for Venom Creeper with 4WS:

Radio mode: 2

Throttle: DIG

Rudder: Front Steering

Aileron: Rear Steering

Elevator: Throttle

Gear: Remote Diff locker

Flap: Lights

1. Turn on your radio
2. Verify that you have correct model selected.
3. Click the scroll wheel to enter settings mode.
4. Move scroll wheel until the Mix 1 is highlighted.
5. Click the scroll wheel, now you'll see the mix screen.
6. Configure MIX 1 as follows:
1. Scroll to INH, click scroll wheel.
2. Scroll to change to ACT, click scroll wheel.
3. Scroll to first selection (default value THRO), click scroll wheel.
4. Scroll to RUDD, click scroll wheel.
5. Scroll to next selection (default value THRO), click scroll wheel.
6. Scroll to AILE, click scroll wheel.
7. Scroll to 4th selection (RATE: L value), click scroll wheel.
8. Scroll to +100 value, click scroll wheel.
9. Scroll to 5th selection (RATE: R value), click scroll wheel.
10. Scroll to +100 value, click scroll wheel.
11. Scroll to 6th selection (SW: default value ON) , click scroll wheel.
12. Scroll to ELE D/R, click scroll wheel.
13. Scroll to 7th selection (TRIM: default value INH), click scroll wheel.
14. Scroll to ACT, click scroll wheel.
15. Scroll to LIST, click scroll wheel to exit MIX 1 setup.
7. Back at ADJUST LIST menu, scroll wheel to MIX 2, and click scroll wheel.
8. Configure MIX 2 as follows:
1. Scroll to INH, click scroll wheel.
2. Scroll to change to ACT, click scroll wheel.
3. Scroll to first selection (default value THRO), click scroll wheel.
4. Scroll to RUDD, click scroll wheel.
5. Scroll to next selection (default value THRO), click scroll wheel.
6. Scroll to AILE, click scroll wheel.
7. Scroll to 4th selection (RATE: L value), click scroll wheel.
8. Scroll to -100 value, click scroll wheel.
9. Scroll to 5th selection (RATE: R value), click scroll wheel.
10. Scroll to -100 value, click scroll wheel.
11. Scroll to 6th selection (SW: default value ON) , click scroll wheel.
12. Scroll to AIL D/R, click scroll wheel.
13. Scroll to 7th selection (TRIM: default value INH), click scroll wheel.
14. Scroll to ACT, click scroll wheel.
15. Scroll to LIST, click scroll wheel to exit MIX 1 setup.
9. Back at ADJUST LIST menu, scroll to Main, and click scroll wheel to exit.

This setup helps a lot, especially when needing to drive in a specific mode for an extended time.  Now I just need to get the trims sorted out.

Venom Creeper video

Finally!  I got my first video of the Venom Creeper done and uploaded.  No trailer for this one.  When going over the footage, I didn't have the proper shots suggested for the iMovie trailer templates.  But first....

And now for the feature film:

Venom Creeper setup:

• Venom Dig Unit using stock Venom servo
• Venom Remote Dif Lockers using stock Venom servos
• TowerPro MG946R servos for 4WS
• Novak Eiger ESC
• Axial 55t brushed motor
• Spektrum DX6i radio
• Venom Group 5000mAh NiMH 7.2v battery

I have been having problems with the rear diff unlock by itself.  This has been a problem for some time, and I may have to do a rebuild of the rear axle to get it sorted out.  Until then, I'll just run with it.  It adds to the challenge.  This body also has a light kit added to.  So the next film project is to get some night time runs to show them off.

This time around I went back to iMovie for iPhone and used one of the themes there.  The title segments are OK but could use more adjustments for font formatting and possibly location.  For the actual title and end credit segments, I used still photos enhanced with Strip Designer.  For the end shot, I used the fun Action Movie FX app.  I'm still having fun filming and editing with my iPhone.

I didn't get it uploaded earlier, but here is a movie poster for the SCX10 Trail Honcho:

Happy Crawling!

Honcho mods

Well maybe not really mods, but more like add-ons.

I finally started and completed a mod idea that I found when researching the SCX10 kit.  It basically adds some body panels to the rear section, and some more lights.  Here is the YouTube video that inspired my mod.  I actually have to give credit to RCBitz for helping me make the decision to purchase the SCX10 Trail Honcho.  He has a decent step-by-step assembly video series, and that starts here.

In addition to the mod, I also add some interior details: a pair of guns.

Not bad for amateur work.  Now I just need to get some working lights.

The Creeper Monster

Finally an update to the Creeper.  It's been awhile and some progress has been made.

The remote diff lock mods didn't work out too well.  The mounting just didn't work, and trying to operate them on different channels was not working out either.  So I got some new remote diff lock kits and got them mounted in the manufacturer's recommended location.

The shock rebuilds when better than I expected.  I only had a slight difficulty on 1.  So the shocks are back to factory default, but with a slightly heavier weight oil.  I didn't have enough of the stock kit oil and grabbed the left over from the SCX10 kit.

I also got in some new electronics.  Two new servos with more torque for steering.  Yes, two to have 4 wheel steering setup.  A new Novak ESC that is designed for crawling.  A new higher capacity battery for longer run times.  Some lights for the Creeper.  Picked up a basic set with 12 lights and 4 modes for a great price.  Let's just say that the Creeper will crawl and provide a party atmosphere.

Some non electronic upgrades include an upgraded drive line with improved joints.  The original setup uses grub screws to hold a yoke pin into a yoke cylinder, and lock tight is to be used on the screws.  Unfortunately this makes for a very difficult and frustrating rebuild/disassemble process.  The upgrade uses collars to hold in the pins, and the center drive line collars use larger grub screw to stop slipping.  This ends up giving some strength on the joints and makes for a much easier rebuild.  Also got a new gray servo plate for the rear servo to match the front.  A new green steering linkage set for the rear, again to match the front.  Some Axial light buckets for easy light mounting.  And a new body to top it all off with.

I need to get new connector style on the motor for use with the new ESC.  So until then, I'll continue with the old reliable Novak Rooster.  I got all the upgrade parts mounted, and lights installed on the body.  Need to attach a few lights to the steering servos.  Now all the wiring needs to be cleaned up.

Hopefully this means that I'll get it up and running soon and should have some new videos too.

Utah Crawl

Well, I am finally deciding to upload the Utah crawl video.  It's OK.  I actually prefer shooting the day light runs, but I did enjoy the evening crawling.

Needs more lights.  And some other scale details would be nice.  We'll see how things go.

Helios - Mission 2: Survival

Well I had some extra footage that didn't make it or fit in with the "Mission: Patrol" video.  I went through the video apps I have, and decided to try Silent Film Director and come up with the follow:

Putting this one together was almost as fun as running the crawler.  Now I'm going to have to make sure to get extra shots during my crawls to come up with more Silent Film videos.  Maybe even use the Silent Film format as my "extras".

So it looks like I need to get moving on the Venom Creeper.

My first 2-for.

At uploading crawling videos that is.  While monitoring the smoking grill, I decided to catch up on some video processing.

First up is the full length short film for Helios - Mission: Patrol:

This is the first time of using FiLMiC Pro.  I found that I need to lock the focus.  Having auto focus doesn't turn out too well.  I also need to verify that recording is on or off.  When hitting the first big rock, there was actually supposed to be more footage just before.  Unfortunately I ended up NOT recording the driving, and recorded the repositioning of the camera.  And I totally goofed up on paying attention to the shots.  I ended up with full size vehicles again.  Oh well.  Lessons learned for the next adventure.  This was done in iMovie, so sorry about the music.  iMovie doesn't have much of a selection for music, and I am not brave enough to use my music from iTunes.

I also ran into an issue trying to upload from the iPhone.  for some reason it kept failing.  iMovie never gave a clear reason why, but looking at the length I'm guess the phone couldn't handle the upload.  And yes it was connected to Wi-Fi.

Up next is a trailer for the Utah night crawling:

This time I locked the auto focus.  but with the setting Sun, I had a challenge with the lighting.  I didn't use the iPhone's flash at all as I didn't want to much extra light or light from a weird angle.  And I wanted the truck lights to show up good.  Also, the full size vehicles were on my watch list.  There shouldn't be any this time, but I'll know once I start diving into the full film.  This was a blast filming.  As I do more shooting and crawling, hopefully the videos will get better.

Off to crawl more!