4 Wheel Steering Controller

[heyok]

4 Wheel Steering Controller 8)

Watch the youtube video to see it in action:
Four Wheel Steering Controller for RC - YouTube

The problem:

You have a three channel remote control system with a three position third channel. You want to be able to use rear wheel steering but you don't want it limited to just three positions.

The solution:

This controller lets you have linear steering on the rear servo!
Set your third channel to position 1, 2, or 3

1. Rear servo locked (rear servo stays in the center).
2. Four wheel steering (make tighter turns).
3. Crab steering (slew your rig left or right).

When positions 2 or 3 are selected, the rear servo moves the same amount that the front servo does... well, to a point...
To protect your rear servo, there are end point adjustments on the controller so that you can set how far to the left and right that the rear servo can travel, this way, you won't risk straining your servo or linkage when turning sharp. There is also a trim control to make sure that you go straight when you let go of the wheel.

But is it waterproof?
Well, no. But, it is mostly waterproof, and you can make it waterproof if you like. The water can get in where you adjust the EPA and Trim controls. Once you have them adjusted, cover the openings with silicone or plastidip and you will be good!

** I recommend running a BEC when you are using the 4WS controller as you need a lot more power to start throwing around another pair of wheels!

The price: $45

 

[bowtie11]

How do I go about buying one? Man you work fast!

 

[heyok]

Thanks. Send me a pm! I'm on the road right now but will be back at a normal computer soon and can help then.

 

[MacJamez]

I want this! Way cheaper then buying a new remote.

 

[Drail]

pm sent"thumbsup"

 

[heyok]

Here is a more recent photo of the 4WS controller:

 

[dna4engr]

Heyok,
Any chance this could work with a 2 position 3rd channel? I have a GT3B that is not hacked and I run your relay winch controller on the 3rd channel now. I was thinking of putting this on the third channel with a manual switch on the rig that I can set the signal to run the winch or run the steering (since I have to go to the rig to get the winch cable).

I'm not an electronics guy but something like your winch controller where it goes
Stop
Turn one direction
Stop
Turn other direction
Stop

Could this go ?
Locked straight
Crab
Opposite
Or whatever order makes sense.

Thanks,
Dna

 

[heyok]

Heyok,
Any chance this could work with a 2 position 3rd channel? I have a GT3B that is not hacked and I run your relay winch controller on the 3rd channel now. I was thinking of putting this on the third channel with a manual switch on the rig that I can set the signal to run the winch or run the steering (since I have to go to the rig to get the winch cable).

I'm not an electronics guy but something like your winch controller where it goes
Stop
Turn one direction
Stop
Turn other direction
Stop

Could this go ?
Locked straight
Crab
Opposite
Or whatever order makes sense.

Thanks,
Dna

Yes, I could program it to work like that. I would charge an extra $5 for that version. Send me a PM if you want to go ahead with this.

Thanks,
Al

 

[dna4engr]

Awesome to hear. I'm tapped out for hobby funds this month ( I had to get new driveshafts, blew one to pieces yesterday). I will definitely be sending you a pm for an order in 2-3 weeks.
Thanks!

 

[Drail]

got my 2. thanx for the killer product"thumbsup" Drail

 

[heyok]

This morning I was able to rewrite the firmware so that you can use this four wheel steering controller with a two position channel.

At start up, the rear servo is locked.
Push and release CH3 and the rear servo follows the front servo.
Push and release CH3 and the rear servo turn opposite the front servo.
Push and release CH3 and the rear servo is locked again... etc.

This one will sell for $50

 

[heyok]

Just wanted to include a video showing the controller in use:
This is dna4engr's rig
Brushless Axial Wringo testing 4ws conversion with new Heyok Controller - YouTube

 

[Dostradamas]

OOHHHHHH!
Very nice.
On the list.

 

[Josh_Br]

Question: The only wires that come from my ch 1 and ch 3 ports on the Rx and run to the servos are the signal wires. The + and - wires come straight from the BECs to the servos. If I were wiring up your rear steer controller, would I hook it up the same? I.e, the + and - on the ch 1 and ch 3 plugs would not plug into the Rx, but would plug into the corresponding BECs?

Thanks!

 

[heyok]

Question: The only wires that come from my ch 1 and ch 3 ports on the Rx and run to the servos are the signal wires. The + and - wires come straight from the BECs to the servos. If I were wiring up your rear steer controller, would I hook it up the same? I.e, the + and - on the ch 1 and ch 3 plugs would not plug into the Rx, but would plug into the corresponding BECs?

Thanks!

Yes, mostly.
The 4WS controller gets its power from the receiver, so you need to leave the + and - wires from the controller to the receiver. The 4WS controller's two outputs could be considered as the new CH1 and CH3 outputs from your receiver and you can connect to it the way you were before.

All the controller controller really does is just passes along the original CH1 signal and creates a new CH3 signal.

 

[Josh_Br]

Yes, mostly.
The 4WS controller gets its power from the receiver, so you need to leave the + and - wires from the controller to the receiver. The 4WS controller's two outputs could be considered as the new CH1 and CH3 outputs from your receiver and you can connect to it the way you were before.

All the controller controller really does is just passes along the original CH1 signal and creates a new CH3 signal.

Ok, I think I get it. So it would get hooked up as shown in the diagram, except the + and - wires going into the servos would not come from the controller output, but rather from my BECs, yes?

 

[street.terror]

I need more channels.

 

[rc147]

HeyOk,
if you could figure out how to make a plug like that but hook it up to the steering channel on the reciever so it reverses the rear servo for tight steering only, that would make it much easier for the people who dont have a 3rd channel and want 4ws. i know that may be a bit difficult but it would work and sell, i know i would want one.

"thumbsup""thumbsup""thumbsup""thumbsup"

 

[heyok]

HeyOk,
if you could figure out how to make a plug like that but hook it up to the steering channel on the reciever so it reverses the rear servo for tight steering only, that would make it much easier for the people who dont have a 3rd channel and want 4ws. i know that may be a bit difficult but it would work and sell, i know i would want one.

"thumbsup""thumbsup""thumbsup""thumbsup"

It sounds like you just need a servo that goes the other way. You can do that without spending any money if you can solder. Just reverse the servo's motor wires and swap the two outer wires on the servo's position pot. This will make the servo turn the opposite direction than it was going before.

 

[Josh_Br]

Or just cut the servo's + and - wires somewhere in the middle, then reattach the + to the - and the - to the +. Then the servo will function backwards of how it normally does.