Rayven (lock) mod.

I was doing some normal lock mods/removal when I realised that the lock switches are the same size as the rev switch (the fly wheel activation button). I also noticed that when the lock switches are released they cut the power quicker than releasing the normal rev switch. I had the idea that if I put the jam door lock switch were the original rev switch goes then I could have a much quicker "Run down" time (the time it takes for the motors to stop).

Here is a picture.



I had to add a bit more wire to get the switch to the housing, I then cleaned it up by taking out the original switch.



Im not sure if this mod is any good as it may wear out the motors more quickly, I enjoy it as it greatly decreases run down times (can't give exact times), especially when using high voltage batteries.

Not over the top amazing but some food for thought.

Thanks, NORTHENGHOST.

Some of the wires you took out i think had a capacitor in them and some other device that probably is a delay for the motors to help protect them... just some food for thought.

Yes, The original switch wire had two capacitors on it but this switch swap worked before and after removing the capacitors.

Having just finished electrical circuits in Physics, I believe the device closest to the accel trigger is a diode (black cylinder with silver band) which prevents electrical current from flowing in a certain direction. If you put batteris the right way in however, all it does is provide minimal resistance (so the removal increases current slightly).
In any case, thanks for posting this up, as I hated the long rundown times of my Rayven.

Just a question though, does anyone have concrete evidence for or against potential motor damage by switching these switches (and thus deccelerating the motors faster)?

Johnnus wrote:Just a question though, does anyone have concrete evidence for or against potential motor damage by switching these switches (and thus deccelerating the motors faster)?

What I believe is happening with the lock switch is called electrically braking the motor. Not breaking as in broken but braking as in what you do to stop your car. When the lock switch is pressed (or in whatever state that allows it to rev up) you've got current coming from the batteries, powering the motor, and then flowing back to the battery. Electrical braking works because every motor is essentially a generator.

Normally when you stop pressing the rev switch, the motor still has momentum and continues to spin. The spinning coils in the motor interact with the magnet in the motor and tries to produce a current, but because there is no circuit this energy (or potential) doesn't do or affect anything.

When the lock switch is open however; it directs this current back into the motor causing the coils to create an electromagnet force in a direction opposite to which the motor is spinning. This is what makes it slow down quicker than just turning off the motor.

As far as I know, this process doesn't have any adverse affect on the motor. It's used in trains (where it's called dynamic breaking) and electric cars. I personally have also used this technique when working with Lego robots. So I'd say it's perfectly safe thing to do with the Rayven.

OK, all well and good however whats the point in having it run down quicker???

Is that simliar to the 3 way switch in the stampede trigger that grounds to negative when released? Also I like the longer run down times as it requires less effort for the motor and current draw to start back up and quicker follow up shots. Also if your worried about the noise, don't think flywheels can be silenced easily but again I like the noise as when someone hears it who doesnt have one of my rayvens generally backs right off. But whatever you prefer go for it as what I like probably is far different to you like