Hello, I am currently working on hacking a Traxxas XMaxx and want to know the true speed of the DC motor rather than knowing the values I send to it. So, I want to try to add an encoder to the drive shaft, but not sure where to start. Any advice or direction would be greatly appreciated!
Speed depends on motor revolutions per time unit and wheel circumference.
Encoders operate on a pulse (for example, magnetic, sound or light). An encoder wheel that has a magnet, has a "fin" or passes light might easily be mounted on the motor axle with a set screw or glue, but a magnet might unbalance the wheel, the light transceiver needs physical space to read the encoder, and a "microphone" hearing the fin pass by all need space.
Oh I see. So many options. I am using this car: Traxxas X-Maxx | RC Monster Truck
I am not sure which would be the easiest to implement, advice? Thanks
Try one.
Is there a cheaper option or one that is easier to implement? You mentioned wheel imbalances. My car can go up to 50mph and so maybe one option is better than another? Thanks!
Why not measure the speed at different PWM and create a translation table in the code?
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I did not mention a price.. I agree with @Railroader - write code and make a table.
The PWM in the code doesn't always translate to the true speed of the wheels. For example the same pwm signal to the DC motor on rocks vs on concrete will have different actual speeds. Hence, I thought an encoder might help with this.
That's correct, data will change at some extent.
An optical, reflecting decoder and a slotted disc of some kind could do the job.
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