Part 1 - AstroPixels Overview: ua-cam.com/video/du5284ciHco/v-deo.htmlsi=QiC0DnNkY3eN5N2V Making R2-D2 Video Series: - Introduction to a DIY R2-D2 Build: ua-cam.com/video/hkkSagTsLXY/v-deo.html - Part 1 Making the dome: ua-cam.com/video/HaZ7ABkhwn8/v-deo.html - Part 2 Painting the dome: ua-cam.com/video/inoqE19ODUQ/v-deo.html - Part 3 Dome lights & holoprojectors: ua-cam.com/video/hDR9z1PAJSA/v-deo.html - Part 4 Dome Completion: ua-cam.com/video/PnjCrLlJtig/v-deo.html - Part 5 Mark 3 Body Assembly: ua-cam.com/video/m6VXt6VGZ3c/v-deo.html - Part 6 R2 Sound System Basics: ua-cam.com/video/cZ3sVYs7T9I/v-deo.html - Part 7 R2 Electronic Basics: ua-cam.com/video/AmUuZH3UHXg/v-deo.html - Part 8 R2 Legs & Foot Drives: ua-cam.com/video/PLyOKD5oAyM/v-deo.html - Part 9 Painting R2-D2: ua-cam.com/video/E8h0l4rHvC4/v-deo.html - Part 10 Installing Electronics: ua-cam.com/video/bg_tN6HCYN4/v-deo.html - Conclusion to a DIY R2-D2 Build: ua-cam.com/video/sIpBA6UigTQ/v-deo.html
I've recently gone down the path of starting to build my own R2. I'm super experienced with 3d printing, but man...if you have NO electronics experience, it is so overwhelming. I realize I COULD just make it static and sit in the corner of the room, but the thought of 'future-proofing' my build (mk IV dome, MK III body) is just too appealing. That being said, it seems like EVERYONE on the Baddley FB group, Astromech, etc. are rocket scientists, engineers, robotics professionals. It's so daunting trying to figure out / find what exactly I would need to buy/use to configure things. Like this, AstroPixels seems amazing, but finding guides on HOW to use them is the hard part! Add in the fact that if you have no clue about servos, but want to do that, figuring out WHAT to buy, and then how to configure them AND the lights AND control these things...I can see how people take years to make. I'd be happy just making it so the dome spins, it makes the R2 sounds, lights light up and I can trigger the pie panels. The fact that everyone seems to do something different, and there's really no clear cut "HOW TO DO THE ELECTRONICS FOR YOUR R2 FOR DUMMIES" guide...at least I haven't found yet...is quite overwhelming. That being said, love watching these videos so far!
Have you seen my R2 electronics basics video? I have two links in the description of that video to what I consider the best basic RC electronics and control guides by Rob Howdle; so yes, they do exist if you look for them. Lots of great information out there; keeping in mind basic electronics understanding is not something learned overnight. Yes, an R2 build is slow and approached one small step at a time as you learn and gain information tackling one problem at a time. If it was easy, everyone would be building them. By the way, there is nothing to configure with these Astropixles. Daren already pre-programmed the micro-controller with the basic R2 lighting script as I demoed in the Astropixels part 1 video. All that's required is to power them with 5VDC and they work. It doesn't get any easier than that and they are by far the simplest things to get working in this entire build. You want to get into working pie panels, then yes, it pushes an R2 build into another stratosphere of complexity; that is not considered a simple build. That is precisely why I don't have them on mine. *Complexity hampers execution & reliability.*
Thanks for the info on the lights as well as the rest of your R2 build. After watching your other video about the lights i ordered a set. Funny thing is, i haven't even started printing parts for R2 yet. Trying to finish a few other things first before i start this exciting project. Will be soon though. I like him clean btw.
Thanks for watching and for the feedback. Hope you're as impressed with Darren's AstroPixels as I am. Enjoy the R2 build journey! 👍 I'm still on the fence over weathering - don't know what to do... 🙃
Thanks for these videos John! Your timing is impeccable. Darren just put 15 pieces in stock at his store today. Ordered mine! Pretty excited, as these really look like the original R2 logics!
I've heard of people using thick bezels and inserting short lengths of fibre optic, then sealing it all in resin. Gives it the fibre optic look. As for diffusers, the main thing to avoid getting into the lights is grubby little fingers. ;) And I know someone did add a diffuser grid for the PSIs to get the look you want. I tend to have mine a lot closer to the front so you do get a line. Worth an experiment. The main board is also designed to actually mount on the back of the RLD, there are STLs to print out as spacers, etc. Another great video, and thanks! :D
Would love to see you add panel servo/hinges. I’m in the process of trying to fit all of this into the V2 dome and it’s tight! Especially because I’d like to have all 3 HPs servo controlled too
Yep, would be interesting, but unfortunately it's something I never really wanted to have on my build. Being fully RC controlled limits things like that of course and the engineering adage I tend to live by of "complexity hampering both execution and reliability." 🙃 Have fun with your R2 build and getting all that working - I'm sure it will look fantastic.
I forgot you went the RC route. That does complicate things. I’m going with aSHADOW-MD PS move controller option. I find it crazy that others have put full lift systems in with every other feature. It’s a big build but some space is a premium
I was a little surprised to see how bright the Teeces appear to be. When we plugged in our Astropixels to test we were blinded by them. The Teecees must be crazy bright.
Looking fantastic John! Great comparison segment. Thank you for the detailed view of under the dome. I might have to try this out. Sorry if I missed it but are they able to receive the standard marcduino commands?
Hi Kevin, Sorry I honestly don't know. My R2 is fully RC controlled so I'm very much in the dark on the Marcduino control side of things. Darren Poulson would of course know this, so suggest contacting him (links in description) 🙂 In fact, he likely has the information in his Astropixels tech articles - seems to me I recall reading something about it.
Love your videos! Fellow BC maker in the lower mainland here. Where did you source the diffuser material? All the ones I found were very thick, yours look the perfect thickness/diffusion for my project.
More Droids in BC - Excellent 👍 I covered what those clear diffusers are in the Teeces video which I link to in the description. They are just leftover small plastic parts drawer separators I had on hand. You could of course make them out of any thin clear plastic sheet. If you want to make them slightly diffused, sand one side with thousand grit wet/dry sandpaper.
Every video I watch are so good, I like watching your videos over and over they that good, I would like to ask you about Batteries, they are so expensive. I have seen these SLK Platinum Mobility Scooter GEL Battery Pair of 2 x 12v 10ah for (£49.99), would these be ok for powering up R2 and all its components. Thanks John for all these great Videos.
Glad you are enjoying the videos & thanks for watching. Totally depends on what electronics you are paring with your specific build, what voltage you will be running at and what capacity you will need (run time based on current load). Since I don't know a thing about those specific batteries you mentioned, I can't comment on them. What I can say is the least costly rechargeable battery option for most R2 builds (unless you already have suitable rechargeable battery packs on hand) is going to be a 12 volt lead acid (PB) battery, be it Gel/AGM or full wet. Obviously a gel/agm is the better option as they don't leak or vent (at least easily). Lots of information in the R2 Builders club/Astromech forums on battery options based on budget, running voltage & capacity.
Thanks John for taking time to reply, the reason I was asking is because I have seen lots of videos of lipo batteries exploding and causing fires so it put me off buying them, do you know a good alternative.
My 2-cents... LiPo batteries are as safe or dangerous as you make them. If they truly were as dangerous as the clickbait fear mongering makes them out to be, you can bet they would not be used in almost every portable device, electric power tool, electric vehicle and of course rule the skys these days in the world of RC aviation and rule the race tracks with RC ground vehicles. They would be banned from use if they were constantly burning up; yet they are literally powering the world these days. By the numbers, I would argue they are statistically one of the safest forms of high energy storage considering the millions if not billions of lithium chemistry batteries floating and flying around. It's actually astonishing there are not more reported fires caused by them. Regardless, like any high density energy storage device, they have the potential of releasing all that energy rapidly if the unique care they require is not observed which I cover in detail on my website in the LiPo section: www.rchelicopterfun.com/lipo-batteries.html However, to answer your question on the safest rechargeable battery chemistry that is not nearly as critical to correct care - likely NiCad or NiMh. If safety was the paramount concern, I would go with either.
Please weather R2D2 your video will be the 1st full size showing the process. As a model professional that you are I can tell it will be a popular I'm very interesting video.
Part 1 - AstroPixels Overview: ua-cam.com/video/du5284ciHco/v-deo.htmlsi=QiC0DnNkY3eN5N2V
Making R2-D2 Video Series:
- Introduction to a DIY R2-D2 Build: ua-cam.com/video/hkkSagTsLXY/v-deo.html
- Part 1 Making the dome: ua-cam.com/video/HaZ7ABkhwn8/v-deo.html
- Part 2 Painting the dome: ua-cam.com/video/inoqE19ODUQ/v-deo.html
- Part 3 Dome lights & holoprojectors: ua-cam.com/video/hDR9z1PAJSA/v-deo.html
- Part 4 Dome Completion: ua-cam.com/video/PnjCrLlJtig/v-deo.html
- Part 5 Mark 3 Body Assembly: ua-cam.com/video/m6VXt6VGZ3c/v-deo.html
- Part 6 R2 Sound System Basics: ua-cam.com/video/cZ3sVYs7T9I/v-deo.html
- Part 7 R2 Electronic Basics: ua-cam.com/video/AmUuZH3UHXg/v-deo.html
- Part 8 R2 Legs & Foot Drives: ua-cam.com/video/PLyOKD5oAyM/v-deo.html
- Part 9 Painting R2-D2: ua-cam.com/video/E8h0l4rHvC4/v-deo.html
- Part 10 Installing Electronics: ua-cam.com/video/bg_tN6HCYN4/v-deo.html
- Conclusion to a DIY R2-D2 Build: ua-cam.com/video/sIpBA6UigTQ/v-deo.html
Your previous builds in this series have made me and my friends want to build our own. The AstroPixels look like a great option!
Great to hear
Hi John ... Got my order of AstroPixels this week. Head is printed! It has begun!
Your videos have been an inspiration! 👍🏻
Fantastic 👍
Very nice build the sound R2 make while moving is impressive how smooth he runs great job 👍
Thanks for the kind feedback and thanks for watching 🙂
I've recently gone down the path of starting to build my own R2. I'm super experienced with 3d printing, but man...if you have NO electronics experience, it is so overwhelming. I realize I COULD just make it static and sit in the corner of the room, but the thought of 'future-proofing' my build (mk IV dome, MK III body) is just too appealing. That being said, it seems like EVERYONE on the Baddley FB group, Astromech, etc. are rocket scientists, engineers, robotics professionals. It's so daunting trying to figure out / find what exactly I would need to buy/use to configure things. Like this, AstroPixels seems amazing, but finding guides on HOW to use them is the hard part! Add in the fact that if you have no clue about servos, but want to do that, figuring out WHAT to buy, and then how to configure them AND the lights AND control these things...I can see how people take years to make. I'd be happy just making it so the dome spins, it makes the R2 sounds, lights light up and I can trigger the pie panels. The fact that everyone seems to do something different, and there's really no clear cut "HOW TO DO THE ELECTRONICS FOR YOUR R2 FOR DUMMIES" guide...at least I haven't found yet...is quite overwhelming. That being said, love watching these videos so far!
Have you seen my R2 electronics basics video? I have two links in the description of that video to what I consider the best basic RC electronics and control guides by Rob Howdle; so yes, they do exist if you look for them.
Lots of great information out there; keeping in mind basic electronics understanding is not something learned overnight. Yes, an R2 build is slow and approached one small step at a time as you learn and gain information tackling one problem at a time. If it was easy, everyone would be building them.
By the way, there is nothing to configure with these Astropixles. Daren already pre-programmed the micro-controller with the basic R2 lighting script as I demoed in the Astropixels part 1 video. All that's required is to power them with 5VDC and they work. It doesn't get any easier than that and they are by far the simplest things to get working in this entire build.
You want to get into working pie panels, then yes, it pushes an R2 build into another stratosphere of complexity; that is not considered a simple build. That is precisely why I don't have them on mine. *Complexity hampers execution & reliability.*
I've watched the R2 build series a couple of times now. Simply outstanding JS.
Thanks for watching the series a couple times - it's a fun project 🙂
Just bought the Astro lights because of this video
Thanks for the info on the lights as well as the rest of your R2 build. After watching your other video about the lights i ordered a set. Funny thing is, i haven't even started printing parts for R2 yet. Trying to finish a few other things first before i start this exciting project. Will be soon though.
I like him clean btw.
Thanks for watching and for the feedback. Hope you're as impressed with Darren's AstroPixels as I am. Enjoy the R2 build journey! 👍 I'm still on the fence over weathering - don't know what to do... 🙃
I understand not wanting to weather R2. What an amazing project!
Yep, still having a real hard time with this decision. Thing is, he just doesn't look quite right IMO without a little grime. Thanks for watching 🙂
Thanks for these videos John! Your timing is impeccable. Darren just put 15 pieces in stock at his store today. Ordered mine! Pretty excited, as these really look like the original R2 logics!
Enjoy 🙂
I've heard of people using thick bezels and inserting short lengths of fibre optic, then sealing it all in resin. Gives it the fibre optic look.
As for diffusers, the main thing to avoid getting into the lights is grubby little fingers. ;)
And I know someone did add a diffuser grid for the PSIs to get the look you want. I tend to have mine a lot closer to the front so you do get a line. Worth an experiment.
The main board is also designed to actually mount on the back of the RLD, there are STLs to print out as spacers, etc.
Another great video, and thanks! :D
Thanks Darren for the info. All good ideas! 👍🙂
Very neat build, nice work!
Appreciated - thanks for the view.
Would love to see you add panel servo/hinges. I’m in the process of trying to fit all of this into the V2 dome and it’s tight! Especially because I’d like to have all 3 HPs servo controlled too
Yep, would be interesting, but unfortunately it's something I never really wanted to have on my build. Being fully RC controlled limits things like that of course and the engineering adage I tend to live by of "complexity hampering both execution and reliability." 🙃
Have fun with your R2 build and getting all that working - I'm sure it will look fantastic.
I forgot you went the RC route. That does complicate things. I’m going with aSHADOW-MD PS move controller option. I find it crazy that others have put full lift systems in with every other feature. It’s a big build but some space is a premium
I was a little surprised to see how bright the Teeces appear to be. When we plugged in our Astropixels to test we were blinded by them. The Teecees must be crazy bright.
Yep, get out the sunglasses and tanning lotion. 🙂
Very nice, thanks for sharing.
Looking fantastic John! Great comparison segment. Thank you for the detailed view of under the dome. I might have to try this out. Sorry if I missed it but are they able to receive the standard marcduino commands?
Hi Kevin, Sorry I honestly don't know. My R2 is fully RC controlled so I'm very much in the dark on the Marcduino control side of things. Darren Poulson would of course know this, so suggest contacting him (links in description) 🙂 In fact, he likely has the information in his Astropixels tech articles - seems to me I recall reading something about it.
Love your videos! Fellow BC maker in the lower mainland here. Where did you source the diffuser material? All the ones I found were very thick, yours look the perfect thickness/diffusion for my project.
More Droids in BC - Excellent 👍 I covered what those clear diffusers are in the Teeces video which I link to in the description. They are just leftover small plastic parts drawer separators I had on hand. You could of course make them out of any thin clear plastic sheet. If you want to make them slightly diffused, sand one side with thousand grit wet/dry sandpaper.
Every video I watch are so good, I like watching your videos over and over they that good, I would like to ask you about Batteries, they are so expensive. I have seen these SLK Platinum Mobility Scooter GEL Battery Pair of 2 x 12v 10ah for (£49.99), would these be ok for powering up R2 and all its components.
Thanks John for all these great Videos.
Glad you are enjoying the videos & thanks for watching. Totally depends on what electronics you are paring with your specific build, what voltage you will be running at and what capacity you will need (run time based on current load).
Since I don't know a thing about those specific batteries you mentioned, I can't comment on them. What I can say is the least costly rechargeable battery option for most R2 builds (unless you already have suitable rechargeable battery packs on hand) is going to be a 12 volt lead acid (PB) battery, be it Gel/AGM or full wet. Obviously a gel/agm is the better option as they don't leak or vent (at least easily). Lots of information in the R2 Builders club/Astromech forums on battery options based on budget, running voltage & capacity.
Thanks John for taking time to reply, the reason I was asking is because I have seen lots of videos of lipo batteries exploding and causing fires so it put me off buying them, do you know a good alternative.
My 2-cents... LiPo batteries are as safe or dangerous as you make them. If they truly were as dangerous as the clickbait fear mongering makes them out to be, you can bet they would not be used in almost every portable device, electric power tool, electric vehicle and of course rule the skys these days in the world of RC aviation and rule the race tracks with RC ground vehicles. They would be banned from use if they were constantly burning up; yet they are literally powering the world these days.
By the numbers, I would argue they are statistically one of the safest forms of high energy storage considering the millions if not billions of lithium chemistry batteries floating and flying around. It's actually astonishing there are not more reported fires caused by them.
Regardless, like any high density energy storage device, they have the potential of releasing all that energy rapidly if the unique care they require is not observed which I cover in detail on my website in the LiPo section: www.rchelicopterfun.com/lipo-batteries.html
However, to answer your question on the safest rechargeable battery chemistry that is not nearly as critical to correct care - likely NiCad or NiMh. If safety was the paramount concern, I would go with either.
A weathering tutorial would be appreciated!
Noted 🙂
@@Rchelicopterfundon't do it
Please weather R2D2 your video will be the 1st full size showing the process.
As a model professional that you are I can tell it will be a popular I'm very interesting video.
Hope to soon when I get some free time - thanks for the feedback 🙂
Hello sir, I would like to know if you still had your xk radio from k 110?? If you think it's a radio that can last a lot of Anne??❤
Do the weathering!
He's awesome, but lacks a little character!
Yes indeed! Hopefully this winter for sure 🙂