Voltage Regulator for RC Car and Arduino

Using Arduino Motors, Mechanics, Power and CNC
1

Hey I am working on a project using an arduino, bluesmirf, and android to control an rc car. I am currently in the process of trying to find the correct voltage regulator. I purchased an adjustable voltage regulator however when researching a little more I found that some people stated that it was more complicated than a fixed voltage regulator. Please help.

BJ

2

To help choose a regulator you need to provide some details:

  • What voltage do you need (output)?
  • What voltage will you use (supply)?
  • What components will you use and how much current do they draw?
  • Are you using big, powerful motors that will suck up a lot of current, or smaller ones that take less?

Once you know the supply voltage, needed voltage, current draw, etc, then you can choose the regulator you need. Do you even need a regulator though? If it is possible to get it to work without one, it may just be easier....

Onions.

3

Assuming you want to go from 9.6V NiCad or something in the car down to 5V for some logic, try a part like this:
go to digikey.com and search for "murata oki", then select linear regulator drop in replacement.
They are 90% efficient switching regulators.

4

I am kinda new to this, I am doing the project as final for one of my classes. My professor and I were able to operate the steering motor at 200mA (2V); we used the same values to drive forward and backwards, however the rc car did not go that fast.

Heres what I know so far:
My arduino uno operates at 5V
My Bluesmirf operates at 3.3 to 6V
My rc car has an operates using 5AA batters (well 1.5V*5)
I purchased an adjustable voltage regulator(not sure)

I dont want to appear dumb but I really didnt have a choice it was like a draw your name project thing. And Im dying for help!!! :frowning:

5

Okay, you still haven't said what output voltage you are trying to obtain and for which device.

You could pick 4.5V off the third battery if you want to power the arduino (into the 5V pin) & bluesmirf.
And then 7.5V from the top battery for the car.

6

The RC people use a UBEC like below.

7

Hi, I'm hoping to have some of these soon:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=10750205305

This is a nice small (that's a US Quarter-sized coin) highly efficient adjustable regulator with fairly low dropout and 2 to 3 amp output capability.

I'm also looking for a good boost regulator that will run arduino and other 5V stuff well from a 3.7V LiPO..

Anyone have experience with this stuff or comments on best products / capabilities?

8

RC BECs are so cheap it's hard to compete. You can also find 99 cent cigarette-plug-to-usb adapters that could be torn apart.

Terry, here's a booster for a single cell LIPO.

9

How about this one Terry?

I use this one to make 12V from 5V for my fencing scoring machine and drive a couple of banks of 20 LEDs with it.