Page 114 - Build a Remote Controlled Robot

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ARMS AND SUBSYSTEMS
panels and eight lengths of plastic angle. The ceiling light
panels are available at most hardware stores and the plastic
angle you need can be purchased at a hobby shop. Figure 5-16
shows the size, shape, and amount of the panels to be cut
from the sheet of plastic ceiling light cover. When cutting the
plastic panels, use a plastic cutting knife that should be avail-
able where you obtain the panels.
Assemble the panels as shown in Fig. 5-17 using the
lengths of plastic angle where the panels meet, and modeling
glue to cement the parts together. After the glue has dried,
place the cover over the dome light so that the tabs on the
framework are inside the cover. The cover is clear enough so
that you will be able to see and mark the hole in the tabs on
the cover. Carefully drill the mounting holes in the cover mak-
ing sure not to crack the plastic. Now attach the cover with
three 1/8-inch sheet metal screws; you can now wire the dome
light.
Figure 5-18 shows how to wire the dome light. The switch
(which should come with the dome light) for the light will
later be mounted on the robot’s skin; for now, simply tape it to
the robot’s frame. Test the light being sure to flip Questor’s
main power switch on before trying the light. Now that the
head has been wired and tested, remove the cover so it will
not be damaged while you complete Questor’s construction.

WIRING THE VACUUM SYSTEM

The final major system to be wired is Questor’s vacuum sys-
tem, the body and motor of which you installed earlier. The
wiring guide that comes with the kit is for installation of the
vacuum in a car, while basically the same type of installation
as here, a few things should be noted. First, the kit comes
with all black wires, not black and red, and the motor itself
has two white leads. The motor was designed to run in the
right direction no matter what lead is connected to positive or
negative terminals of a battery. Just be careful not to connect
both leads to the same terminal or in this case, the power grid.
Also, on the switch you will see three tabs where the wires are