My summer project concept: Lazy man wifi lawn mower

[sporqster]

http://www.cerpca.net/lazylawn.JPG

Think of it as a locost "mowbot" using some surplus gearmotors and DC motors/generators... I need some help on the electrical side of the design, though. Anyone on here know how to design a circuit to regulate a 36V motor being used as a generator to charge 3 12V batteries and drive the 36V gearmotors, and the 5V camera? looking at about 15A at 36V per motor. (yeah, I know that's kinda a lot, but I want it to be able to crawl in and out of the ditch!)

[Mandurath]

Hah! You may look at the current crop of mow bots. I know the better ones, after the initial break in are supposed to be pretty nice. Recharge themselves, "know" when to mow, lasers to prevent from running over stuff, memories of permanent items, IE trees, shrubs etc. Heard some will even weed wack for you too. Some say lazy, I say more time for working on what I actually want to work on rather than maintaining my yard within the specs of the yard nazi's.

[sporqster]

You're probably right. The current crop of sportscars are pretty nice too, but I still like my homemade one better ;-)

 

this design isn't really autonomous- it's telepresence controlled from an internet connected PC. - but cheaper than most of the autonomous ones - I'm looking at about a $500 budget for the whole thing.

[Mandurath]

Nah, I meant look at them, as look at the designs, see if schematics, repair manuals are available for DL to help you design one.