epoch turbo's

[arch2b]

so what are the options regarding a turbo epoch? i'm hoping ph2t will join and show us some more of his work with these but i'm sure there has to be other options and or possibilities?

are turbo epochs even controllable? as small as they are i can't imagine them going as fast as a mini-z for example.

[cdog4w]

There is a design floating around using 2 SO-8 fets (like the 4562) and a couple of resistors. This is the most common turbo and was done by someone in Germany I think. Many people have soldered it "dead bug" style, ie. without a printed circuit board and had it work just fine. I think arfin is one such user.

ph2t has a new turbo design out using 4 TO-220 packaged fets and it is much smaller than the SO-8 design. He calls it the bug and has 2 on ebay right now. Not sure if he will release schematics but he listed the part numbers (I think) and the design should be similar if not the same to the SO-8 if you can figure out how the 2 internal fets on the SO-8 package are connected. Datasheets should have a diagram.

You can find the circuit diagrams over at ripper and tinyrc I'm pretty sure.

[arfin]

Making an epoch turbo is very cheap ($5-$7, depending on the price of Fets) if you can handle micro soldering. Although it doesn't use a PCB, if you use some double sided tape, and stick it on the motor mount, there should be no problems at all.

All you need is:
2 SI4562DY fets
2 10K resisters
6 Pieces of wire

I have one made, here is a picture. http://img280.imageshack.us/img280/5605/picture2383du.th.jpg (http://img280.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture2383du.jpg)

I would make a tutorial, if i had a digi cam, and 2 more fets. Or just 2 more fets.

EDIT: Here is a diagram done by LBRC to help you if you plan on making one.
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/9686/epochturbo2bj.th.jpg (http://img213.imageshack.us/my.php?image=epochturbo2bj.jpg)

[epoch1-43]

Making an epoch turbo is very cheap ($5-$7, depending on the price of Fets) if you can handle micro soldering. Although it doesn't use a PCB, if you use some double sided tape, and stick it on the motor mount, there should be no problems at all.

All you need is:
2 SI4562DY fets
2 10K resisters
6 Pieces of wire

I have one made, here is a picture. http://img280.imageshack.us/img280/5605/picture2383du.th.jpg (http://img280.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture2383du.jpg)

I would make a tutorial, if i had a digi cam, and 2 more fets. Or just 2 more fets.

EDIT: Here is a diagram done by LBRC to help you if you plan on making one.
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/9686/epochturbo2bj.th.jpg (http://img213.imageshack.us/my.php?image=epochturbo2bj.jpg)

arfin, I'll send you the 2 FETs in exchange for a tutorial if you're able to borrow a cam from someone?
We have the SI4562DY (http://halfeight.com/shop/product.php?productid=16286) FETs available in the Shop; should we stock the 10K resistors too, or is everyone able to conveniently locate these locally?

http://halfeight.com/shop/product.php?productid=16286

[arfin]

Hey admin, thanks for the offer, That should work, but is a non digi camera enough? It will be harder to get the perfect pics but it should be enough.

EDIT: Yeah 10 K resistors are easy to find, only problem is you usually have to buy a set of unwanted resistors

[sg219]

Building your own would be great. I wish I had the time to make one or two, but I'm still tryin' to get 2 Nelly's that I have, installed in an Xmod and a IW04, and they are all ready made.

I just keep putting it off for other stuff. :p

If anyone does build one...

A picture tut would be great. :)

[cdog4w]

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F011%5F002%5F014%5F002&product%5Fid=271%2D1126

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F011%5F002%5F014%5F001&product%5Fid=271%2D1335

Easy enough, $1 for 5. Not sure which power handling spec you need, 1/2W or 1/4W, but RS has both. I'd guess 1/4W since the power handling is in the FET itself and the resistors wouldn't be handling the full current.

I've got a 4megapixel and would be willing to take pics if you're feeling generous epcoh1-43 :) If you'd like to see a sample of my work I have a tutorial on converting a PC power supply to a generic 12V DC over at one18th.com Not the first to do it of course, but I sited the places I read up before I did it myself.

[arfin]

Hey if Cdog wants to do it as well, you can send them to him rather then me, since he does have the 4 MP camera, but thanks for the offer!

[Mazda787b]

I had a turbo based off of the original design made up with 4562 FETs. The great thing about it was that the unit was fairly simple to produce. If you can understand the schematic that arfin posted, you could have one doine in less than an hour.

[Monouk]

I have one of ph2ts older models, when he was testing out his current package. I never got a chance to write the review I was going to :( I havent tried out the 4562 method since Im out of them, but I think that carrying the fets with the resistors would be better. The resistors cost...what...$.02 each in bulk? Then split them up, throw em in with the fets, and charge $.50 more. Dont you love the economy?

Anyways, Im sure alot of people would be happy to write a tut. I will if you want, but Id host it on R7R too.

[mod_o_matic]

Will the IRF 7183 (w/e they are called, dam numbers :P) work with this too? I think i would be able to make soem turbos such as this if it dose..we will see :D

[epoch1-43]

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F011%5F002%5F014%5F002&product%5Fid=271%2D1126

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F011%5F002%5F014%5F001&product%5Fid=271%2D1335

Easy enough, $1 for 5. Not sure which power handling spec you need, 1/2W or 1/4W, but RS has both. I'd guess 1/4W since the power handling is in the FET itself and the resistors wouldn't be handling the full current.

I've got a 4megapixel and would be willing to take pics if you're feeling generous epcoh1-43 :) If you'd like to see a sample of my work I have a tutorial on converting a PC power supply to a generic 12V DC over at one18th.com Not the first to do it of course, but I sited the places I read up before I did it myself.

Hey admin, thanks for the offer, That should work, but is a non digi camera enough? It will be harder to get the perfect pics but it should be enough.

EDIT: Yeah 10 K resistors are easy to find, only problem is you usually have to buy a set of unwanted resistors

The more the merrier - both of you email me your address and we'll hook you up w/ chips; you can post your reviews in the FAQ (http://epoch1-43.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=4)when you're ready for them to be reviewed. Thanks!

[cdog4w]

I'd also be willing to post my guide for a power supply conversion if you want. Mike from one18th is pretty relaxed and gave me the go ahead. There are a few other guides online as well, but I think a good cheap power supply is a great enabler for people on a budget wanted a nice charger. Aside from the piranha digital, I can't think of any good chargers that aren't DC only.

mod_o_matic: fets with less capacity than the 4562 should work fine for epoch purposes, but its all a relative gain. The biggest gain of a turbo is being able to run higher current draw motors (read faster), but there are some smaller benefits like lower resistance (means more power to the motor). If you're using an epoch board to run an xmod or something like that you might want to consider just spending the extra for the 4562's. Shop here has a pretty good price on them since if you order from most electronics shops online you have to pay a surchagre for orders under $25. And then the 4562's are still $2.30 vs. the $2.50 here :)

[arch2b]

I'd also be willing to post my guide for a power supply conversion if you want. Mike from one18th is pretty relaxed and gave me the go ahead. There are a few other guides online as well, but I think a good cheap power supply is a great enabler for people on a budget wanted a nice charger. Aside from the piranha digital, I can't think of any good chargers that aren't DC only.

mod_o_matic: fets with less capacity than the 4562 should work fine for epoch purposes, but its all a relative gain. The biggest gain of a turbo is being able to run higher current draw motors (read faster), but there are some smaller benefits like lower resistance (means more power to the motor). If you're using an epoch board to run an xmod or something like that you might want to consider just spending the extra for the 4562's. Shop here has a pretty good price on them since if you order from most electronics shops online you have to pay a surchagre for orders under $25. And then the 4562's are still $2.30 vs. the $2.50 here :)
i have a link to my image guide to hacking a pc power supply into a charger power supply in my 1st epoch thread. the actual gallery is on mzr's new gallery page. this doesn't mean you shouldn't post links to yours or even upload it to the gallery hear if you will. i'd be interested in seeing how you did yours. it's a very simple process once you have something to go by and you can easily pick up old ps units for free.

[LBRC]

Hey all,

The first Epoch turbo as far as I know was made by Microsash and posted on a German forum, it’s a common H-bridge setup that bypasses the Epoch driver IC.

After Arfin brought the subject up in a thread at Ripper I built several to test.

Normally you would choose your mosfets based on how much current your modified motor will need but for an Epoch that’s not a primary concern since even my Spud motor only draws approx. 2 amps. The major benefit of adding a turbo is improved low end torque by replacing the relatively inefficient motor driver IC so almost any good fast logic level mosfet will do. What you should look for is first fast switching and then a low RDS on value. Don’t get too hung up on the spec sheet RDS on values though in most cases the “brag sheet values” won’t apply to the low current levels being used in your Epoch. I have tried IRF 7317's, 7389's, and Vishay 4562's so far my favorite is a 2x2 using the 7317's, but any difference is marginal.

Without CB
http://lbspd.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album57/Epoch_Turbo_1.jpg
Stacked 2x2 on a CB
http://lbspd.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album57/MVC_365L.jpg

PH2T has built a very nice small version christened the “Bug” using the S023 package 2502 and 6401 mosfets.

[arfin]

Hey LBRC, even the one without a PCB looks good. :) Hey admin, check your PM's.

[mod_o_matic]

I'd also be willing to post my guide for a power supply conversion if you want. Mike from one18th is pretty relaxed and gave me the go ahead. There are a few other guides online as well, but I think a good cheap power supply is a great enabler for people on a budget wanted a nice charger. Aside from the piranha digital, I can't think of any good chargers that aren't DC only.

mod_o_matic: fets with less capacity than the 4562 should work fine for epoch purposes, but its all a relative gain. The biggest gain of a turbo is being able to run higher current draw motors (read faster), but there are some smaller benefits like lower resistance (means more power to the motor). If you're using an epoch board to run an xmod or something like that you might want to consider just spending the extra for the 4562's. Shop here has a pretty good price on them since if you order from most electronics shops online you have to pay a surchagre for orders under $25. And then the 4562's are still $2.30 vs. the $2.50 here :)

I understand the fets etc..me no noob to fets :D
Just checkin as the gate votlage mite be diffrent by a little etc and stuff like that. As for getting FETS, i have my own sorces :D

[epoch1-43]

Hey LBRC, even the one without a PCB looks good. :) Hey admin, check your PM's.

Oops, will do! :)

[arfin]

The IRF 7317's are much cheaper, maybe you should stock both types, for a cheaper alternative.

http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?Ref=210754&Row=330421&Site=US

This info comes from CrazyDave THANKS!

EDIT, for some reason that link isn't working so just look at this:


Price Break Unit Price
1 1.03
10 8.20
100 58.47
1000 555.37
5000 2534.56

[HammerZ]

I may have to try this when I get my Epoch (may need to add a boat motor to my order), I already have the fets on hand. Just one question, how does it hook to the Epoch PCB? Pictures are good.

[janniz]

Do it like this:
http://www.janniz.de/micro/EpochTurbo04.jpg

Thats how the original "Microsash"-Turbo is hooked up to 3 of my Epochs and it works fine ;) The FETs are SI 4562, of coure, just a misspelling in the picture...

(hope you understand the german in the picture ;))

[HammerZ]

Look's straightforward enough.

[hobbycar]

Thanks everyone for the info, schematics & pics! I'm just getting back into Micro RC Cars after a 2 year hiatus.

I have a couple old Spec-1s that have been sitting in the garage for a couple years. I just got them out recently and did the 4cell mod to one of them.

I have been trying to decide between spending money on new Epochs or Mini-Zs.

After reading that I can do bearings and this turbo mod I'm thinking I'll get back into the Epoch scene and see how good I can get at soldering micro stuff.

[arfin]

Well i'm glad you've come back to Epochs, i'd say you made a great choice considering all this new news about Epochs!