Putting LiPos into your MIP robot

Easy rechargeable MIP hack, with LiPos.

Stuart Warren

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Description

A simple mod to the Wowwee MIP robot to allow it to use an internal LiPo battery pack. This covers the mods you have to make to MIP to accommodate the LiPos, and the LiPo battery packs.

This voids your warranty!

I'm working on a better arrangement that saves you having to dismantle your MIP.

Details

Wowwee's MIP robot is a nifty little thing, but it uses 4xAAA batteries. NiMH rechargeables work okay, but MIP chews through them pretty quickly and seems to not be as robust when it's running at 4.8V, compared to the 6V it gets on alkalines.

So here's a simple hack to upgrade MIP to use LiPos.

Components

1 × JST-XH 3-way plug Available cheaply on ebay.
1 × JST-XH 3-way header Available cheaply on ebay, usually paired with the plug.
1 × 2S (7.4V) LiPo protection module Available cheaply on ebay. The one I bought has P/N PCL-LiO2S6-157.
1 × Hookup wire
1 × Heatshrink

View all 7 components

Build Instructions

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1

Step 1

Unscrew the three screws holding the battery compartment in place. Remove battery compartment. Remove batteries,
2

Step 2

Unscrew the three screws holding the battery box in place. Separate the battery box from the backplate. You won't be needing this unless you ever want to undo the battery mod. Screw the screws into the backplate so you don't lose them.
3

Step 3

Dismantle MIP, starting by removing the wheels. To do this, you need to pry the plastic hub cap from each wheel. This is a one way trip. They're not going back on, but consider it a badge of honour for your MIP. A scalpel does the job nicely. Removing the plastic hub cap exposes a screw that fastens the wheel to the motor shaft. Unscrew that screw to remove the wheel. Remove both wheels., then unscrew the 6 screws on the back of the MIP. At this point you can prise apart the two halve's of MIP's body.