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Tutorial - Nerf Maverick Aimtrak Mod with Solenoid Recoil
captaincatalyst:
--- Quote from: AndyWarne on January 06, 2011, 10:58:07 am ---
Excellent tutorial!
I can supply Aimtrak firmware with a pulse output enabled if needed.
I would not envisage any issues with common ground especially if the 25 volts was sourced from a power adaptor as this would have a non-grounded output.
I have been researching recoil for our own guns and I am finding it really needs custom solenoids as the resistance has to be low. Running a solenoid designed for 6 volts at 24 volts is fine as long as the duty cycle is low, which in this application it would be as it is only handling short pulses.
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Hi Andy. I sent you a PM. I would love to experiment with an Aimtrak that can pulse out. That could reduce some of the complexity in my tutorial eliminating the need to incorporate a microcontroller. I look forward to that.
Thanks!
--- Quote from: bkenobi on January 06, 2011, 11:27:41 am ---This is an awesome project. Nice work and excellent write up!
I would make one suggestion for people planning on following this document to make their own. The OP's version has a very long trigger pull before the button is pressed. I suspect that would get annoying after time since it will delay your shot due to the time it takes you to move your finger. I would suggest doing something to make the button actuate sooner if it were my gun. Should be fun either way though!
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Excellent suggestion. That would be something to experiment with. You would want to make sure the button continues to be pressed from the point the trigger makes contact all the way to the furthest in it can be pulled or you might end up with something that will push the button on the way back and push it again as it retracts resulting in 2 shots fired. I will note that while mine does require a long trigger pull, the resistance on the trigger is not very strong, so I haven't noticed any issues with feeling it takes too long to shoot. Ultimately it will be a matter of preference for the one creating it.
trevski:
--- Quote from: AndyWarne on January 06, 2011, 10:58:07 am ---
I can supply Aimtrak firmware with a pulse output enabled if needed.
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+1 !!
TechDante:
i am still in teh erly atages of my electronics learning curve (been experimenting with arduino) is pulse out baicaly what i am thinking it to mean that you will get a voltage pulse when a button is activated, so if the board outputs 5v this could be conected to a relay that switches to 12v of a pc psu. and you build your switch could you use a DPDT micro switch instead.
captaincatalyst:
--- Quote from: TechDante on January 06, 2011, 07:55:47 pm ---i am still in teh erly atages of my electronics learning curve (been experimenting with arduino) is pulse out baicaly what i am thinking it to mean that you will get a voltage pulse when a button is activated, so if the board outputs 5v this could be conected to a relay that switches to 12v of a pc psu. and you build your switch could you use a DPDT micro switch instead.
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I think you've mostly got it, but if the Aimtrak could pulse out on a pin, it wouldn't necessarily, and hopefully won't, need a dedicated button to activate it. It could take the input from the trigger switch which it uses to "click" the mouse on the computer and pulse out for the solenoid relay at the same time. This would mean it could use a standard single pole single throw switch (i.e. the Cherry switch I was already using without modification). Also the pulse out voltage would probably be much less than 5v, but should hopefully still be able to activate a relay, transistor, or whatever. Oh and the Aimtrak knows when it is pointed at the screen, so it is my hope that Andy can configure the firmware with an option so that it will only pulse out when it is looking at the screen, that way for off-screen reload, it won't trigger the solenoid. Having said that, I'm not sure what the Aimtrak is capable of, so we'll see what comes of it.
captaincatalyst:
I notice the site I linked to for purchasing the solenoids no longer has them. Not sure if they will re-stock. At any rate, I remember finding one other site that had them but can't seem to find it right now.
In case you are trying to find the same kind, they are rated at 12-24v DC and about 4 ohms of resistance (give or take). Good luck. If I come across the other site, I will post it.
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