Slowing down WSN T34/85

[MichaelC]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone had tried to slow down the WSN T34/85 ? I know the better way would be to replace it but mine is really just a shelf queen and I don't need it to have strong gears. I was thinking of sticking a resistor in front of it. Question is whether it will work or not, and if so what size of resistors. I have put in the metal gears already and also slower but stronger motors (280s ?)

[Tankbear]

Try removing one or two cells so you've less voltage. Not certain how low you can go with wsn electronics but if you fit HL rx18 you be fine with a 6cell pack.

[MichaelC]

Its on Taigen electronics right now, except that my batteries are all in one piece...... Do I rip the packaging to get inside and start removing cell ? Isn't it easier to stick a resistor in there ?

[teddyt]

I know a few guys who have used resistors to slow down turret speed without problems
so should work ok on the motors too.

[MichaelC]

Yeah, I am one of those guys...... Just wondering what size of resistors I would need as the drive motors are much stronger than the turret rotational motors. I am willing to experiment like I did with the turret motor but I need advice for a starting size.......... I am using 15 ohm for the turret motor right now.

[dgsselkirk]

Hey Michael,

What about trying a rheostat. That way you could vary it till you get what you want. Low voltage ones shgould be easy to find. In fact I think I have a couple in my basement that are 12V but they should work.

[Tankbear]

Or use a 7v voltage regulator. Because if you use a resistor to knock off say 3v when the battery is low your voltage might be too low and not work correctly. so you be recharging you battery before it is fully discharged.

Ian.

[MichaelC]

That's interesting idea Ian. I guess I can just take a 7805 and rig it up ? Pos/Neg goes into In/Common and then take the Common/Out to the motor ? Or did I get my pos/neg confused again ? I might also try the diode solution as well. They both seems to be better than resistor.

[Tankbear]

I meant on the battery supply not the motors so you'll only need one and don't have issues with polrity switching for the motors direction.

Ian.

[MichaelC]

Well, the diode didn't really cut it. I have to think about vol reg as the power is fed from the Taigen so there are already split (i.e. I will need a vol reg on each feed I guess). reverse polarity IS going to be an issue though I think. This appears much more complicated then I thought it seems.

Ian, you have a WSN T34, did you swap the stock gear set out with something else ? Maybe that's what I should do. What would fit in there without much mod ?