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here are some tips i have lurned

some pat one help
Q: Why do the gears in the gearbox make a lot of noise when I turn the wheels?

A: At present the gearbox is not complete, in issue two you will receive motors and some grease. Both these items will quieten the gearbox by tightening and lubricating the moving parts.

Rechargeable batteries are able to deliver much higher currents than standard AAs. If the motors are stalled then there is a chance of blowing the drive transistors on the motor driver circuit. This is of course undesirable and so we have chosen to recommend not using rechargeable batteries.

why cant you use rechargeable batteries
Many types of rechargeable batteries also have a lower voltage than normal AAs (1.2 volts rather than 1.5 volts), this could also impair the robot's performance.

Q: After assembling my gearbox, why won't the wheel turn or is 'ratcheting'?

A: Both gearboxes come from the same mould and so fit together identically. When they are on the chassis the gears in the gearbox will not be a mirror image of each other but in fact one set will be rotated through 180 degrees. (if the gears are in the wrong way around then you will get the ratcheting effect as one gear wheel catches on the plastic inside the housing.

how long do the batteries last
The AA batteries should last a couple of hours and the 9 volt battery will last much longer

If you are experiencing technical problems with issue four of Real Robots, please refer to the list below for the appropriate solution.


1. Cybot is spinning round in tight circles
This is because one wheel is turning forwards and the other one backwards. This means your motors are faulty and need to be replaced (please see below for details on replacements).

2. Cybot is veering to one side when moving forward
The motors and gearboxes need to be tightened and more grease applied.

3. Only one motor is working
Check that the wires on the motors are connected at both ends.
If they are, then the circuit board needs to be replaced (please see below for details on replacements).
If the circuit boards have been replaced and you still have the same problem, then your motors will need replacing (please see below for details on replacements).

4. Cybot is going backwards
Swap the motors round in the gearboxes.

if you have tips that i do not have on this site please email them to me to share with other cybot builders and i will give credit to the people thattips i post soplease help me to help you

killmekenny@lycos.co.uk