I got the speed controller working using their custom software.  I should create a version to test out my code while I'm at it.

Right now I'm testing out 1 24v battery pack (so 4 12v 3.3 amp hour batteries) and running the motors at about 50%.  Besides the noise at 2:30am on a Saturday (real smart Clint), I'm surprised at how long the batteries are lasting.  I was seriously worried about them going dead at 5 minutes since I'm running both motors plus the speed controller all off 1 set.  I'd normally have 2 sets of batteries going!  I'm 30 minutes into testing 1 battery pack and it still looks good.

So why test this out?  I need to know about how long of a battery charge I'll get.  In addition, I have a safety check for voltage.  I want to be 100% sure that it won't become too sluggish to operate safely.

On the noise front, the gear boxes aren't exactly whisper quiet.  Maybe my dad knows of something to shut them the hell up slightly more.  Something tells me he'll say use some type of crazy industrial lubricate.