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Robot Restoration
In 1982 the Heathkit Hero was one of the finest robots money could buy. My Hero has had a rough time of it since then and the years have not been kind to him.
However I'm planning to breath some new life into him. The original circuit boards are all either non-functional or too obsolete to restore, but the original chassis and motors are in pretty good shape. I'm giving this old robot a new Raspberry Pi brain, some updated motor controlers, and any sensors I can add and figure out how to use.
 2015-08-04 Power SystemIt took all damn night, but the robot now has a new power system. It is not only robust, but can literally jump start a car, since it is in fact the guts of an automotive jump starter. It's an ideal solution really. It provides a strong 12v for the motors, 5v for logic, has its own built in charger and wall plug, and even has a light that can be used to illuminate the electronics bay. |  2015-08-04 Room to workHaving finished cleaning house, I now have plenty of room for new logic and power systems. |
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 2015-08-04 GuttingSadly, most of this hardware is either dead or so obsolete it's not worth saving. There was an amazing rats nest of wires in there. |  2015-08-03 batteriesWell, one thing's for sure, these 35 year old gel cell batteries have given up the ghost. No surprises there. |
 2015-08-03 AssessmentAssessing parts to determine what I can keep. |  Heathkit Hero 1In 1982 the Heathkit Hero was one of the finest robots money could buy. My Hero has had a rough time of it since then and the years have not been kind to him. |
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