This section covers how to correctly wire your motor control board. This board is the central hub for all power and control signals, designed to handle four motors (two left, two right) and receive commands from your remote via an RJ45 cable.
A. Power and Control Input
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RJ45 Jack: This port connects your handheld remote control to the motor board. The remote uses two DPDT (Double Pole, Double Throw) switches to instantly reverse or stop the motors on each side.
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Battery Socket: This is where your robot’s battery is plugged in to provide power. IMPORTANT: Only plug the battery in when using the robot.
B. Motor Connections (PBT Terminals)
Motors are connected to the board using **PBT (Power Block Terminals)**, which require a screwdriver. Use the table below to identify the correct terminals for your left and right side motors.
Terminal Name
Motor Location
Purpose
LMB / LMA
Left Side Motors (Motor 1 & 2)
Controlled by the Left DPDT switch on the remote.
RMA / RMB
Right Side Motors (Motor 3 & 4)
Controlled by the Right DPDT switch on the remote.
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Setup Check (Polarity): If a motor spins backward when you press “Forward” on the remote, simply flip the two wires in its PBT terminal to correct the direction.
2. Differential Drive Explained
Differential Drive is a popular method of robot steering, similar to battle tanks and bulldozers. Instead of using a steering wheel, the robot changes direction by giving different amounts of power (or speed) to the motors on the left and right sides.
Differential Drive Action Table
Left Motor Action
Right Motor Action
Resulting Robot Action
FORWARD
FORWARD
STRAIGHT FORWARD
REVERSE
REVERSE
STRAIGHT REVERSE
FORWARD
STOP
TURNS RIGHT (Pivots around right side)
STOP
FORWARD
TURNS LEFT (Pivots around left side)
FORWARD
REVERSE
SPIN TURN (Quick rotation in place)
You can also use the interactive controller below to click the actions and see the robot’s resulting movement dynamically.
Interactive Drive Controller
Left Switch
Right Switch
Robot Movement Result:
STOPPED
3. Battery Management and Charging
Proper battery care is essential for the longevity of your robot’s power source. This section explains the correct procedure for charging your battery and outlines critical safety precautions.
A. Charging Procedure
Disconnect: Unplug the battery from the robot’s motor board.
Connect to Charger: Connect the white battery plug to the white socket on the charger board.
Power: Connect the charger board to a standard phone charger using a USB-C cable.
Indicators: The charger LED will glow RED while charging and turn BLUE when the battery is fully charged (typically 2-3 hours).
B. Safety Precautions
Unplug When Not in Use
Leaving the battery connected to the robot when it’s off will completely drain and ruin the battery.
Read the Manual
Always read the battery pack for specific safety rules before use.
4. Upgrading and Robustness (Advanced)
Your 4WD robot is a great platform for learning! You can modify it to enhance its performance for different tasks. Here are some advanced concepts to consider for making your robot more robust.
Traction and Ground Clearance
Your robot’s ability to move depends heavily on how well its wheels grip the surface (traction) and how high its body is from the ground (ground clearance).
To boost traction, add grippers (like rubber or bat tape) to the wheels. This is great for climbing ramps or moving on slippery surfaces.
To drive over bigger obstacles, increase the ground clearance by using bigger wheels or adjusting the chassis height.
For combat, a lower Center of Gravity (CoG) makes the robot more stable and harder to flip.
Motor Selection for Performance
Not all motors are the same! The motors you use determine the robot’s primary skill.
Higher RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) 🏎️:
If you swap to motors with higher RPM, your robot will be much faster—perfect for race challenges.
Lower RPM 🏋️:
Motors with lower RPM have more torque (pushing power). This is ideal for “wrestling” or combat events, or for climbing steep inclines.
✨ Robotics Mentor Challenge Generator
Tell the Robotics Mentor what challenge you want to solve (e.g., “win a tug-of-war” or “carry a heavy load”). Our AI mentor will give you a specific upgrade plan!
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