4/15/02
Well after 5 months I have finally made some major updates to the website. Psychotron 2.0 is almost ready for the season 5.0 competition in May. Psychotron has been completely updated with bigger motors, better batteries and titanium armor.
The new motors had to be sent back to NPC because of problems they were having with them at Robot Wars. Apparently some weaknesses were discovered and Norm at NPC called me to let me know. They are supposed to ship the updated motors to me tomorrow. Steve Hill of Battlepack fame is making up six new 24-volt battlepacks and should be done with those by the 21st of this month. He will be sending them along with three new Astroflight 12D chargers. I had to switch from the Hawkers to the Battlepacks because the titanium armor put us about 12 pounds overweight. The battlepacks will be substantially lighter.
Check out the photos of the new robot elsewhere on this site.
12/1/02
BattleBots Season 4.0 was a blast. Over 450 robots competed in the largest robotic combat competition ever. Season 4.0 will begin airing Jan 2002. Unfortunately until then I cannot divulge any information due to the non-disclosure agreement signed by all of the competitors at the event.
After the season has aired I will post a detailed report of what I saw and how Psychotron did in the competition.
Don't miss season 4.0 every Tuesday night at 10:00 P.M. Pacific Time on Comedy Central.
5/30/01
It's finally over. BattleBots 2001 SF is a wrap. Over 450 robots competed in the largest robotic combat competition ever. Season 3.0 will begin airing on July 10th. Unfortunately until then I cannot divulge any information due to the non-disclosure agreement signed by all of the competitors at the event.
After the season has aired I will post a detailed report of what I saw and how Psychotron did in the competition.
Don't miss season 3.0 every Tuesday night at 10:00 P.M. Pacific Time on Comedy Central beginning July 10th.
4/21/01
Psychotron is 99% complete. All the mechanical issues have been worked out and I am working on the aesthetics now. I am attempting to rust the exposed steel portion of the frame for an aged look. I am having a hard time hooking up with the airbrush guy so I will probably print out adhesive decals for my graphics. That way I can replace damaged graphics in between matches and still look fresh every time I do battle. Some of the spare parts have arrived but I am putting off buying a spare motor until the last minute.
4/8/01
Psychotron lives again. Drove the new frame setup around today for the first time with the Hawkers. Twice as fast as the old setup. I drove it around for over 15 minutes and still had battery power to spare. The newly chromed weapon looks great and is murder on plastic milk crates.I will be ordering a spare set of ball casters though, as the concrete is very tough on them.
Bought two Exide battery chargers for quick charging and a Battery Tender plus for maintaining proper float charge. I will be buying another Battery Tender when my local Pep Boys gets them back in stock.
All that is left now is to complete the fenders and order spare parts.
One full month of practice driving ahead, Hallelujah.
3/30/01
Psychotron's belly is now 1/8" Aluminum plated and fitted with the bottom ball casters. The speed controllers will be installed next on rubber shock mount for protection from the expected pounding. The battery area has been redesigned and constructed of 1/8" fiberglass lined with foam packing material to also absorb the anticipated impacts.
3/23/01
Psychotron is now recognized by BattleBots as "Pending/Received" Looks like we are on or way to San Francisco.
3/20/01
Psychotron's frame is completed and is being fitted with 1/8" aluminum armor plate. The steel leading edge and spikes are ready for heat-treating and things are really starting to come together now.
The ball casters arrived from McMaster-Carr and they should work great on the battlebox floor. They will probably wear out fast on my concrete driveway so I will be ordering another set just for driving practice. I hope to have the complete robot done before the end of April giving me plenty of practice driving time
3/10/01
The Hawkers are here! Psychotron is being retrofited with Two Hawker Odyssey 625 batteries. This new combination should provide a robust 90 amps over 5 Minutes run time.
3/8/01
The BattleBots registration paperwork has been sent in. Psychotron will soon be an official entry in BBSF 2001.
3/3/01
The vapor has finally cleared… Psychotron lives!!! I got everything wired together today and took her out for her first test spin. Below are my findings based on this first test:
1) The Yuasa NP7-12’s have to go. They just don’t have the guts for the job. Odyssey’s are next on my list of upgrades.
2) The Victor 883’s make a very distinctive whining sound when in use.
3) The wiring did not even get warm. My choice of gauge seems to be okay.
4) The wheels spin while pushing on dirty concrete. I hope when it is up to full weight and on a better surface, I can get sufficient traction.
5) The speed is not what I would have hoped for. I am going to order a Vantec and over-volt the motors for the next competition.
6) My cat hates live battlebots in the house.
To learn more about BattleBots, visit these official BattleBots websites