ABOUT THIS:

This model uses a home-built differential. I found this on Mike Fusion's website:
http://odin.prohosting.com/mrplanet/

The specific page on the differential is:
http://odin.prohosting.com/mrplanet/mytechnicdifferential/myDifferential.htm
This is apparently the design of somebody else as Mike comments, "My version of someone else's technic differential without altering any technic pieces." So, credit is due to Mike and this "someone else".

THE MODEL:

I built a very simple chassis to try out the differential design. Although it's much larger than an original Technic differential, this home-built solution performs well and is quite strong.

The differential spans about 8L so to add extra support, I added two idler 24-toothed gears behind the 40-toothed gears of the differential. This ensures that the 8-toothed gear that drives the differential does not skip.

I even added two stacks of steel plates and operated the model in a tight turn. The differential performed quite well and the 8-toothed gear driving it did not skip.

Also included (just for convenience of operation) is the R/C control unit I got from John Barns. Visit www.hitechnicstuff.com for more info.

The model was driven by a single 9V geared motor with a 9V battery.

FURTHER APPLICATION:

This differential could probably be used in a very high torque application. Although I've never broken a normal Technic differential, I'd be afraid to use one when applying high torque (e.g. 1:1000 gear ratio driven by a normal 9V motor). So, this home-made differential could come in handy, size permitting.