Max The Megapod Assembly Instructions - Revision history

Vorpalwiki: /* Notes on Sourcing Parts Yourself */

2026-02-25T20:56:44Z

‎Notes on Sourcing Parts Yourself

Vorpalwiki: /* IMPORTANT NOTES */

2026-02-25T20:42:06Z

‎IMPORTANT NOTES

Vorpalwiki: /* Step 18: Trimming the Servos */

2026-02-25T20:39:22Z

‎Step 18: Trimming the Servos

Vorpalwiki: /* BILL OF MATERIALS (BOM) FOR MAX THE MEGAPOD */

2026-02-25T20:34:17Z

‎BILL OF MATERIALS (BOM) FOR MAX THE MEGAPOD

Vorpalwiki: /* Batteries (not included in kit) */

2021-06-03T14:24:14Z

‎Batteries (not included in kit)

Vorpalwiki: /* Batteries (not included in kit) */

2021-06-03T14:18:13Z

‎Batteries (not included in kit)

Vorpalwiki: /* ROBOT BOM */

2021-06-03T14:14:58Z

‎ROBOT BOM

Vorpalwiki: /* ROBOT BOM */

2021-06-03T14:14:02Z

‎ROBOT BOM

Vorpalwiki: /* ROBOT BOM */

2021-06-03T14:03:48Z

‎ROBOT BOM

Vorpalwiki: /* Notes on Sourcing Parts Yourself */

2020-11-27T15:28:21Z

‎Notes on Sourcing Parts Yourself

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 ==BILL OF MATERIALS (BOM) FOR MAX THE MEGAPOD==
 ===Notes on Sourcing Parts Yourself===
-* These instructions assume you have purchased a kit from us. If you are sourcing your own parts, please be aware of the following additional information:
+* These instructions written at the time when we offered kits, but we no longer stock this kit. If you are sourcing your own parts, please be aware of the following additional information:
-**If you are sourcing your own parts, you need to build the power distribution connector assembly. For diagrams see [[Max The Megapod Battery/Switch Construction]]. This will take about 2 hours of soldering work.
+**You need to build the power distribution connector assembly. For diagrams see [[Max The Megapod Battery/Switch Construction]]. This will take about 2 hours of soldering work.
 **Also see important information on that page if you are sourcing your own BEC.
-**If you are sourcing your own Bluetooth modules, please be aware that you will need to configure them to auto-pair and to have a UART speed of 38400 BAUD. Every module brand's firmware is a bit different so it's not possible for us to give you universal instructions on how to program them. We assume that if you source your own parts you are familiar with how to configure Bluetooth modules using AT-commands. (You can find tutorials online or videos on youtube, but like we said, different modules may not exactly match instructions you will find so be prepared to fiddle around a bit). Please do not ask our customer support for help on this topic. We sell pre-configured modules that auto-pair on boot for a very reasonable price.
+**If you are sourcing your own Bluetooth modules, please be aware that you will need to configure them to auto-pair and to have a UART speed of 38400 BAUD. Every module brand's firmware is a bit different so it's not possible for us to give you universal instructions on how to program them. We assume that if you source your own parts you are familiar with how to configure Bluetooth modules using AT-commands. (You can find tutorials online or videos on youtube, but like we said, different modules may not exactly match instructions you will find so be prepared to fiddle around a bit). Please do not ask our customer support for help on this topic, as the way these modules are programmed continues to change over time and we can't keep up with all the details any longer! There are websites devoted to helping people program bt modules and those would be a better place to turn.
 **If you are sourcing your own Arduino Nano modules, you will need to flash the robot and gamepad code on them. You can find the code at the [https://github.com/vorpalrobotics/VorpalHexapod Vorpal Hexapod Repo on Github]. Note: there is no difference in software between the large and small versions of the hexapod.
 * Please be very careful about substitutions. You might think you can substitute cheaper parts for the ones specified here. Don't bet on it. Walking robots are extremely difficult to design and we've chosen each part for a good reason. For example, if you try to substitute cheaper servos you are very likely to find that they don't provide enough torque for the robot to stand up, or they wear out within minutes due to being overstressed. If you substitute a different battery voltage, you'll either fry the servos or they won't have enough torque. It took 1000 hours of work to design the smaller hexapod on which this one is based, then another 500 hours to get the big version working well.
 === ROBOT BOM ===

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 * It is not for first time robot builders. It contains powerful motors that can cause injury, and uses powerful batteries that require caution. If you are not very familiar with safety precautions for building large robots this project is not for you, build smaller robots instead.
 * Never allow this project to sit idle with power on for more than a few minutes. Turn off power if it is not going to be immediately used. Holding the robot in a stress position for long periods of time may cause servo motors to burn out. Remove both batteries in the robot when not using. Never leave powerful batteries in the robot when not in use.
 * Make sure the standing position of the robot is adjusted using the "trim" feature (see gamepad documentation) so that the stance is a bit on the "high" side to minimize stress on the motors when the robot is standing still, which can help prevent overheating. Failure to do so may cause premature failure of the servos. A good test is to see if the robot can maintain the standing position with power shut off. If it can, then the standing position will not be stressing the motors.
-* If motors overheat, shut down power immediately and remove the large battery.
+* If motors overheat, shut down power immediately and remove the large robot battery. If motors "smoke" remove the entire robot to outdoors to let it vent and do not use again until affected servos are replaced.
 ==BILL OF MATERIALS (BOM) FOR MAX THE MEGAPOD==
 ===Notes on Sourcing Parts Yourself===

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:39, 25 February 2026
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	==== Step 18: Trimming the Servos ====		==== Step 18: Trimming the Servos ====
		+	EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: This project works best if the servos are trimmed such that in the standing position the robot is in a fairly "high" position. This will minimize stress on the servos when the robot is in a standing position or performing most walking moves. This will reduce overheating and premature failure of the servos. A good test is: if the robot is in standing position and you turn off the main power, does it fall quickly to the floor, or does it keep standing, or at least slowly drift down to the floor. If it falls quickly, that means the servos will be working hard even when the robot is standing still, and that means they will get hotter and hotter even when the robot does nothing. In any case, even if properly trimmed, don't leave the robot on if you're not actively using it. Turn off main power if you will not use it for a time, or remove the main battery if use is completed for a long period of time.
		+
	When you assembled the servo horns onto the servos, you probably were not able to get them all to come out exactly at a 90 degree angle. That's not your fault: the servo horns only have 22 possible positions in which they can be installed, so at best you can come within plus or minus 8 degrees of perfection.		When you assembled the servo horns onto the servos, you probably were not able to get them all to come out exactly at a 90 degree angle. That's not your fault: the servo horns only have 22 possible positions in which they can be installed, so at best you can come within plus or minus 8 degrees of perfection.

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 -->
 ==BILL OF MATERIALS (BOM) FOR MAX THE MEGAPOD==
 ===Notes on Sourcing Parts Yourself===
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 Many hobby and RC suppliers have cable converters to go from Tamiya connectors to other types (cross, XT60, etc.) so it is possible to use NIMH batteries with other kinds of connector if you can locate or construct a suitable adapter cable. If you construct your own battery conversion cable you must be extremely careful to do it properly, as batteries can be dangerous if connected improperly.
 === GAMEPAD ===

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 ** If you have an electric screwdriver this will make assembly of the servo stops much faster. You would need a 7/64" hex key attachment.
 === Batteries (not included in kit)===
-Max uses a main battery pack consisting of a five-cell NIMH battery pack with a nominal voltage of 6.0 volts and a minimum of 4000 mAh capacity and a full size male Tamiya connector. Max also uses a 9v battery through a 5V regulator to drive the electronics (Arduino, Bluetooth module, Servo driver, etc). A second 9v battery is needed for the gamepad. We recommend rechargeable 9v batteries, they can be NIMN, LI-ON, or NICAD.
+Three batteries are needed for this project:
 Make sure you have a compatible charger for all rechargeable batteries.
-For the main battery pack, we recommend 4000 mAh or more, and we recommend a wire gauge on the battery of 18 gauge or less (smaller gauge means thicker wire). A battery we have used with success is this one: [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003WTSPHG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Dynamite 6.0v 5100 mAh NIMH Battery] although many others are available on the market.
+A main battery pack we have used with success is this one: [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003WTSPHG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Dynamite 6.0v 5100 mAh NIMH Battery] although many others are available on the market. NOTE: we do not recommend going beyond 7500 mAh capacity as the weight of the battery will start to be too large past that point.
-The battery specs should confirm that it can output 5 amps continuously and can handle spikes to 10amps on an intermittent basis (5 seconds maximum). Most NIMH batteries at 4000 mAh or more will fulfill this. (Note: we do not recommend substituting LI-ON batteries for the main pack on the Megapod, as they often cannot supply enough amps).
+Note: we do not recommend substituting LI-ON batteries for the main pack on the Megapod, as they often cannot supply enough amps or will overheat under too high a load. We do not recommend NICAD batteries for environmental reasons. NIMH is really the perfect battery type for this application.
-Many hobby and RC suppliers have cable converters to go from Tamiya connectors to other types (cross, XT60, etc.) so it is possible to use NIMH batteries with other kinds of connector if you can locate or construct a suitable adapter cable.
+Many hobby and RC suppliers have cable converters to go from Tamiya connectors to other types (cross, XT60, etc.) so it is possible to use NIMH batteries with other kinds of connector if you can locate or construct a suitable adapter cable. If you construct your own battery conversion cable you must be extremely careful to do it properly, as batteries can be dangerous if connected improperly.
 === GAMEPAD ===

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 ** Hot glue gun and glue sticks for securing magnets. You can also use cyanoacrylate glue (i.e. "super glue") or any glue that works on both plastic and metal.
 ** If you have an electric screwdriver this will make assembly of the servo stops much faster. You would need a 7/64" hex key attachment.
-* Batteries (not included in kit)
+=== Batteries (not included in kit)===
 Max uses a five-cell NIMH battery pack with a nominal voltage of 6.0 volts, and it uses a standard 9v battery through a 5V regulator to drive the electronics (Arduino, Bluetooth module, Servo driver, etc). A second 9v battery is needed for the gamepad. We recommend rechargeable batteries for the 9v, they can be NIMN, LI-ON, or NICAD.
 Our electrical system requires a full sized Tamiya male connector on the NIMH battery pack (there is a matching female Tamiya on the robot). We recommend 4000 mAh or more, and we recommend a wire gauge on the battery of 18 gauge or less (smaller gauge means thicker wire). A battery we have used with success is this one: [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003WTSPHG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Dynamite 6.0v 5100 mAh NIMH Battery] although many others are available on the market.

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 * ''Miscellaneous:''
 ** 12 x 608 Skate Bearings
-** 8 x 18mm diameter ceramic magnet, north pole marked. 6 are for robot top, 2 for eye/glasses decorations
+** 8 x 18mm diameter ceramic magnet, approximately 5mm thick, north pole marked. 6 are for robot top, 2 for eye/glasses decorations
 ** 1 x T handle hex driver, 2mm, for button head screws.
 ** 1 x T handle hex driver, 7/64" for socket head screws.