RoboticsConnection User Forum / RoboticsConnection Hardware Support / General Hardware Support

I need help finding iPad accessories?

Mohameds — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 21:22:51 GMT

I need help finding iPad accessories?
I am looking for a package that has a screen protector, back protector, case, and a screen cleaner..I don't need the case, it would just be nice:) I just can't find anything that contains a screen and back protector and a cleaning thing. Thanks!!!

----------------

[url=http://www.ebelow.com/ipad-2-covers-leather-ipad-2-covers-ipad2cover.html]ipad 2 covers[/url] [url=http://www.ebelow.com/]apple accessory[/url] [url=http://www.ebelow.com/ipad-2-case-iPad2case-iPad-2-cases.html]ipad2 case[/url]

Traxster II movements

Herzeleid — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 10:37:59 GMT

Hi,

I have a problem with the movements of Traxster II. I mounted the robot and I ran the PIDMotorControlExample for testing the wheels, instead of going ahead it turns some degrees to the right. There is a method in .NET serializer library to correct this? Somebody told me that in other robots a method fixes the difference between the motors. I know the tension of the "chains" of the wheels affects on this, but I am not able to put a perfect and equal tension in both sides.

Another problem is with the turning movements. The robot turns less degrees than should be.

Any ideas?

DC Gearhead Robot Motor

sowatever — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 19:43:13 GMT

Hi everyone,

I am looking for a decent motor for my project and i found this dc gearhead motor. I have a few questions regard to the specs of this motor:

1. Is the built in encoder a mechanical encoder or an optical encoder?
2. Does the motor consume 1.5A when the motor not in motion? I assume that is shaft lockup (please correct me if i am wrong)

thank you in advance for the help.

Refresher on everything trackster 1.0

Anatase — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 15:51:53 GMT

Well, I bought my trackster 1.0 ~2+ years ago and life happened. My kid is now 2YO and therefore I never got around to programming my trackster. I would love a full on refresher course and documentation.

As far as I recall my robot is put together but I would need a full dump of information to start all over with regards to getting it plugged into a machine and [then what].

CMUcam2 turret

f70 — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:40:50 GMT

I am trying to buy a [url=http://www.reallycooltoys.com/images/ROBCON-traxster/TurretAssembly.pdf]cmucam2 turret[/url], but no luck finding a vendor who sells it. I tried going to the links in this pdf too, they say, roboticsconnection.com sells this turret, but it seems not to be listed in their catalog.

http://www.reallycooltoys.com/images/ROBCON-traxster/TurretAssembly.pdf

Current sensing

sam — Sun, 08 May 2011 04:58:16 GMT

Hey,

We'd like to monitor the current which is delivered by the h-bridges to the DC-motors. Is this possible with a command from the .NET library or do we need to use a current transfo which transfers the current to a small voltage and read this voltage with an analog pin? Or can we do this in another way?

Regards

Sam

PWM without Direction Pin Control

johnjsb — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:17:25 GMT

i'm desperate to have 0volts for full reverse, 2.5v for stop and 5v full forward.
I need to be able to use the external hbridge option because the software for the robot uses that output and i cant rewrite it to use servo out or anything else. is there a hardware solution that could use the direction pin and pwm to scale the signal to 0v to 5v? the controller is a roboteq hdc2450. it has many options that would work, but its on the Serializer side that needs something changed. can the firmware be changed to not use the direction pin?
I have read some other post here about this but rewriting robot code and getting a different controller are not options.

http://www.roboticsconnection.com/userForums/Topic1035-16-1.aspx

DRIVING MOTORS WITH 10 AMP H BRIDGE AND PIC MICROCONTROLLER

carobot — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:23:23 GMT

HI to all,

In my project I'm trying to drive two motors with a jopad interfaced with a PIC 16 micro and a 10A H bridge revision V1.1.The problem is when I connect the power to the motor driver (5v for logic and 12v for motors) motors start running slowly in one direction.If I move the joypad (up/down-left/right)motors runs regularly and proportionally in both direction but, when the joypad is centered and is expected stop motors, both motors continue to run slowly.Where do I have to do any action to solve the problem? Many thanks for the help,regards

carobot

PIDMotorController params for lynxmotion A4WD1 v2 chassis/motors/wheels?

Egg — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:53:26 GMT

I was wondering if anyone could tell me the correct config params for the lynxmotion A4WD1 v2 body frame/motor/wheels. I know I can figure them out myself (but if someone has already done it and is willing to share, I don't mind leveraging :)).

I'm planning on hooking up the motors in parallel as it seems like the combined ratings are under the serializer's limit.

I haven't done much with the serializer yet and the docs mentioned that the PID controller was designed for 2WD vehicles. I was assuming I could still control the 4 motors like they were 2WD. Any other tips from those that have done something similar is much appreciated!

Thanks!

Bluetooth

Gstacy — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:00:50 GMT

Is the blue tooth module still available? I found one on another web site but would like to buy everything from RoboticsConnection.com.

Thanks

PWM to H-Bridge options

meistro — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 04:35:00 GMT

I recently added the Serializer to my arsenal of devices. I was excited about the built-in PID. Come to find out I can't use it with my Sabertooth 2x25 the way I'd like from the Serializer PID. In my case, as well as other posts here, we need 0volts for full reverse, 2.5v for stop and 5v for full forward as a pwm input(using analog mode). Is there any plans in the near future to implement an option to change this? Is there a known circuit I can make to convert the pwm output to the range used by my sabertooth and keep the PID functions? I have huge 24v wheelchair motors on my bot and the little H-Bridges on the Serializer aren't gonna cut it. The Sabertooth was well worth the $$ to me as it is a workhorse and doesn't flinch to heavy load, like me sitting on my bot and riding it around. LOL

Please help me :P

meistro

7.2V 100ozin DC Gearhead Motor with encoder

Mike — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:28:03 GMT

Hello I have some questions about the 7.2V 100ozin DC Gearhead Motor with encoder.
1. Is the motor Unipolar or Bipolar?
2. What motor driver should I use, or what type. I have pololu single and double channel drivers already.
3. what PWM frequency do these like, (or is that dictated by driver)?
4. What is the continous torque of the motor?
5. What is the current draw of the Encoder?
Thanks,
Mike

Snap-Action Switch

vdiazs — Thu, 27 May 2010 16:48:37 GMT

How should I connect a snap-action switch?

I tried connecting it to Digital I/O 8. The output consisted of 0s and 1s alternating randomly while the circuit was open.

Vcc -> C, Signal -> NO, Gnd -> Not connected.

Thanks,

Victor

Bluetooth pinout for use with CMUCAM2+

CABERRY — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 22:55:30 GMT

Hi Jason,

Do you have the pinout for the Embeddedblue Bluetooth eb100 module? I know you don't sell it anymore but we are trying to figure out how to change the Baud rate so that we can use it with the CMUCAM2+.

Have a great day.

General IOWizard Issues

dannyjrodriguez — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:48:08 GMT

I recently purchases the IOWizard and connected it to an I2C Expansion which is connected to a Serializer 3.0.

I've read through the documentation and the API docs to get a better understanding of how this works but its unclear.

Basically what I want to do is just read from the sensors connected to the IOWizard but I am unsure how to do so. The .NET libraries require an address to read an i2c device. So am assuming the IOWizard is at address 100d.

If that is the case - how would i go about reading fromthe analog and digital ports? Here is the current configuration wiht the connected components

1. 3x MaxEZ1 Sonars connected to the digital ports
2. 2x Infrared sensors connected to the analog ports
3. 1x Servo connected to a digital port
4. 1x Ambient temperature sensor connected to an analog port

I was able to extract from reading some of the documents that by issueing a command in putty like so will

i2c r 100 20

will give me some sort of state. But its not clear to me what 20 means and what each of the items represent. It would be great if some light could be shed on this subject.

Lastly - I am seeing something funky with the IOWizard. It might just be me using incorrectly. But basically I connected a servo to the iowizard as well. When i remove the servo from the iowizard - no leds light up on the iowizard. However, when i reconnect the servo - the leds start flickering.

Is this normal behavior?

Please advise.. Thank you!

RC Failsafe Units

ccovert — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 12:34:58 GMT

Just curious if anyone has used rc failsafe units to make sure the robot stops if you lose connection with the serializer for some reason.

I plan on buying some soon and would like to know if anyone has had any issues when using them with the serializer.

what is the voltage trushold for the signal for GPi/o port?

xmilkbarx — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:38:22 GMT

hi i will like to know what is the voltaeg that the gpi/o is transmitting. can anyone guide? because i am am trying to allow my robot to fire a row of LED, and my transistor minimum is 0.8v, is the board giving out that much voltage?

CMUCam Turret

dannyjrodriguez — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:58:07 GMT

Is this still for sale? I was looking for it on the website but could only find it by googling against RC.com. If its not for sale - are there alternatives? Or other distributors?

Any CMUCam vs. Web Cam

dannyjrodriguez — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:58:34 GMT

Hello All!

Today I am writing in regards to a general question. I have been researching video components to use in conjunction with my robotic projects. This platform this will be going on is the Traxster II with a Serializer 3.0 controller.

In a nut shell - the question is - what is the benefit of using a CMUCam vs using a standard webcam with an embedded pc like the ebox 2300 or 4300.

After researching the costs - a cmucam runs for about 200 plus you need additional hardware to get the video signals back to your host for processing.

It almost sounds better to just invest the money in the ebox 4300 and hook up a standard webcam - this way one could get more bang for the buck.

However, Since i am not 100% savvy in regards to the CMUCam - is there something that one would be missing out on by not using it? The more information the better.

Thanks in advance!

Motor datasheet

loginatnine — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 18:55:19 GMT

Hi
I'm looking for the complete datasheet of these motors that you sell :
http://www.roboticsconnection.com/p-51-dc-gearhead-robot-motor.aspx

I'd like to know all the specs if possible, rotor inertia etc...

Thanks a lot!

7.4V Lipo Battery on Stinger?

fixemup — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:52:11 GMT

Hello all,

I am brand new to the robotics hobby, but have spent several years involved in racing RC cars. I was wondering if a 7.4V 4000mah battery would be able to safely power this robot? Would I need a voltage regulator in line, or will the Serializer handle that?

Thanks much,

Dave

Servo Obstruction causes serializer to reboot

pike — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 01:26:25 GMT

I've had the serializer for a whole 8 hours so excuse me if this is a silly question.

I'm hooked up to two servos and both are moving fine as long as their are not obstructed. However, if I set either of the servo's values to something that is obstructed (~40 because at that degree, the servo is obstructed and can't move anymore.) Every now and then, the serializer will reboot and I loose connection and have to rest power to the device.

I should also mention that the servos that i am using are probably 10 or more years old and I am connected via USB and am only using the terminal at this point.

CMUcam2+ Wiring and Service

GSM — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 09:00:51 GMT

Hi, I have connected the CMUcam2+ to the traxster CMUcam2+ turret as per the robotics connection documentation. However the documentation does not detail how to connect the CMUcam2+ to the Serializer WL board. Are there instructions available for this?

Also, does anyone know if there is a CMUcam2+ .NET service available?

Also, is there a download site for the CMUcam2+ drivers? I have checked out the http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~cmucam2/downloads.html site and there is the GUI app, but no details of the drivers or how to manually setup a COM PORT.

Thanks for any help you can provide, Greg

X-Box game controller threw an exception. ---> System.IO.FileNotFoundException

bmann — Sun, 31 May 2009 12:34:08 GMT

I have been using the Logitech Dual Action Gamepad - (exact model recommended on the Robotics Connection website) to drive the Traxster (with a Serializer) from my desktop computer but when I try to use it on my laptop it gives me errors (See below). I originally had this same problem on my desktop but somehow I got it working and now I can't remember what I did. I thought it was the version of the Logitech game controller drivers but when I installed the same version on my laptop as on my desktop I still get the same errors. The program I am running is the TraxsterDriveService downloaded from the RoboticsConnection website. I have changed the reference (SerializerServices.Y2006.M08.Proxy specific version to false) and rebuilt the program. Now there is no longer the yellow exclamation point on the reference. The program builds with no errors. I did convert it to a Visual Studio 2008 project but that also works fine on my desktop.

I have tried to keep my desktop and laptop configurations as close as possible:

My laptop has the same OS and service packs installed as my desktop.

I have Installed DirectX 9c (same as desktop)

I installed the Logitech game controller drivers (same as desktop)

Any suggestions that may help resolve this would be appreciated.

Regards,

Blake Mann

Here is the full text displayed in the command window when the program starts up:

* Service uri: [05/31/2009 12:22:56][http://keywest:50000/directory]
* Service uri: [05/31/2009 12:22:56][http://keywest:50000/constructor/cd4c7b0
d-7ff3-439f-b7e5-66414136cb60]
* Starting manifest load: file:///C:/Microsoft%20Robotics%20Studio%20(1.5)/sam
ples/Platforms/RoboticsConnection/TraxsterDriveService/Manifests/TraxsterDriveSe
rvice.manifest.xml [05/31/2009 12:22:58][http://keywest:50000/manifestloaderclie
nt]
*** System.TypeInitializationException: The type initializer for 'Dss.Transforms
.TransformXInputGamepad.Transforms' threw an exception. ---> System.IO.FileNotFo
undException: The specified module could not be found. (Exception from HRESULT:
0x8007007E)
at Dss.Transforms.TransformXInputGamepad.Transforms.Register()
at Dss.Transforms.TransformXInputGamepad.Transforms..cctor()
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.RuntimeHelpers._RunClassConstructor(IntPtr
type)
at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.RuntimeHelpers.RunClassConstructor(Runtime
TypeHandle type)
at System.Reflection.RuntimeConstructorInfo.Invoke(BindingFlags invokeAttr, B
inder binder, Object[] parameters, CultureInfo culture)
at System.Reflection.ConstructorInfo.Invoke(Object[] parameters)
at Microsoft.Dss.Services.Serializer.DataCache.LoadServiceTransform(AssemblyL
ocations locations)
at Microsoft.Dss.Services.ContractDirectory.ContractDirectory.FinishUp(QueryS
erviceContract query, ContractResults results, Port`1 directoryResultsPort) [05/
31/2009 12:23:06][http://keywest:50000/contractdirectory]
Rebuilding contract directory cache. This will take a few moments ...
Contract directory cache refresh complete
* Serializer Core Service uri: http://keywest:50000/serializer [05/31/2009 12:
23:51][http://keywest:50000/serializer]
* Wheel Encoder Service uri: http://keywest:50000/encoderservice/cc064f13-7b73
-4606-b0d8-8b9eff14f728 [05/31/2009 12:23:53][http://keywest:50000/encoderservic
e/cc064f13-7b73-4606-b0d8-8b9eff14f728]
* Wheel Encoder Service uri: http://keywest:50000/encoderservice/74d4b181-c2d6
-4e9e-85b7-92a465d2a68a [05/31/2009 12:23:53][http://keywest:50000/encoderservic
e/74d4b181-c2d6-4e9e-85b7-92a465d2a68a]
** Error creating service. Fault Subcode:DuplicateEntry. Service type:http://ww
w.roboticsconnection.com/2006/08/Serializer.html [05/31/2009 12:23:53][http://ke
ywest:50000/constructor/cd4c7b0d-7ff3-439f-b7e5-66414136cb60]
** Error creating service. Fault Subcode:DuplicateEntry. Service type:http://ww
w.roboticsconnection.com/2006/08/Serializer.html [05/31/2009 12:23:53][http://ke
ywest:50000/constructor/cd4c7b0d-7ff3-439f-b7e5-66414136cb60]
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
* Motor Service uri: http://keywest:50000/motorservice/540afdd1-4002-4ced-b16a
-91cc7639a969 [05/31/2009 12:23:54][http://keywest:50000/motorservice/540afdd1-4
002-4ced-b16a-91cc7639a969]
Unable to open serial port
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
* Motor Service uri: http://keywest:50000/motorservice/5585f7ff-0241-4dbb-829b
-542220550f70 [05/31/2009 12:23:56][http://keywest:50000/motorservice/5585f7ff-0
241-4dbb-829b-542220550f70]
* Gpio Service uri: http://keywest:50000/gpioservice [05/31/2009 12:23:56][htt
p://keywest:50000/gpioservice]
* Gp2d12 Service uri: http://keywest:50000/gp2d12service/ff05fa7b-ad13-43ec-80
30-6ef18208027a [05/31/2009 12:23:56][http://keywest:50000/gp2d12service/ff05fa7
b-ad13-43ec-8030-6ef18208027a]
* Gp2d12 Service uri: http://keywest:50000/gp2d12service/d5f3bacf-4479-4329-9c
b2-eda3d5d1be58 [05/31/2009 12:23:56][http://keywest:50000/gp2d12service/d5f3bac
f-4479-4329-9cb2-eda3d5d1be58]
* Gp2d12 Service uri: http://keywest:50000/gp2d12service/2570c2f4-1020-405c-86
fe-db901b5592de [05/31/2009 12:23:56][http://keywest:50000/gp2d12service/2570c2f
4-1020-405c-86fe-db901b5592de]
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
* Servo Service uri: http://keywest:50000/servoservice/60c6230f-fa28-4630-a136
-20f9433df9f7 [05/31/2009 12:23:58][http://keywest:50000/servoservice/60c6230f-f
a28-4630-a136-20f9433df9f7]
* Servo Service uri: http://keywest:50000/servoservice/a327eb3c-d14b-4fdc-8518
-4b1d82238e81 [05/31/2009 12:23:58][http://keywest:50000/servoservice/a327eb3c-d
14b-4fdc-8518-4b1d82238e81]
* Manifest load complete [05/31/2009 12:23:58][http://keywest:50000/manifestlo
aderclient]
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
* Compass (Cmps03) Service uri: http://keywest:50000/cmps03 [05/31/2009 12:23:
59][http://keywest:50000/cmps03]
*** Partner enumeration during service startup failed. Service will not start: h
ttp://www.roboticsconnection.com/2006/08/TraxsterDriveService.html
Partners specified statically in service implementation class:
PartnerAttribute Name:XInput,Contract:http://schemas.microsoft.com/robot
ics/2006/09/xinputgamepad.html,CreationPolicy:UseExistingOrCreate
PartnerAttribute Name:GameController,Contract:http://schemas.microsoft.c
om/robotics/2006/09/gamecontroller.html,CreationPolicy:UseExistingOrCreate
PartnerAttribute Name:Gpio,Contract:http://www.roboticsconnection.com/20
06/08/Gpio.html,CreationPolicy:UseExistingOrCreate
PartnerAttribute Name:Motor1,Contract:http://www.roboticsconnection.com/
2006/08/Motor.html,CreationPolicy:UsePartnerListEntry
PartnerAttribute Name:Servo1,Contract:http://www.roboticsconnection.com/
2006/08/Servo.html,CreationPolicy:UsePartnerListEntry
Partners specified at runtime, in CreateRequest:
Name: http://www.roboticsconnection.com/2006/08/TraxsterDriveService.htm
l:Serializer, Contract: , Service: dssp.tcp://keywest:50001/serializer
Name: http://www.roboticsconnection.com/2006/08/TraxsterDriveService.htm
l:Motor1, Contract: , Service: dssp.tcp://keywest:50001/motorservice/5585f7ff-02
41-4dbb-829b-542220550f70
Name: http://www.roboticsconnection.com/2006/08/TraxsterDriveService.htm
l:Motor2, Contract: , Service: dssp.tcp://keywest:50001/motorservice/540afdd1-40
02-4ced-b16a-91cc7639a969
Name: http://www.roboticsconnection.com/2006/08/TraxsterDriveService.htm
l:Encoder1, Contract: , Service: dssp.tcp://keywest:50001/encoderservice/cc064f1
3-7b73-4606-b0d8-8b9eff14f728
Name: http://www.roboticsconnection.com/2006/08/TraxsterDriveService.htm
l:Encoder2, Contract: , Service: dssp.tcp://keywest:50001/encoderservice/74d4b18
1-c2d6-4e9e-85b7-92a465d2a68a
Name: http://www.roboticsconnection.com/2006/08/TraxsterDriveService.htm
l:LeftIR, Contract: , Service: dssp.tcp://keywest:50001/gp2d12service/ff05fa7b-a
d13-43ec-8030-6ef18208027a
Name: http://www.roboticsconnection.com/2006/08/TraxsterDriveService.htm
l:FrontIR, Contract: , Service: dssp.tcp://keywest:50001/gp2d12service/d5f3bacf-
4479-4329-9cb2-eda3d5d1be58
Name: http://www.roboticsconnection.com/2006/08/TraxsterDriveService.htm
l:RightIR, Contract: , Service: dssp.tcp://keywest:50001/gp2d12service/2570c2f4-
1020-405c-86fe-db901b5592de
Name: http://www.roboticsconnection.com/2006/08/TraxsterDriveService.htm
l:Servo1, Contract: , Service: dssp.tcp://keywest:50001/servoservice/60c6230f-fa
28-4630-a136-20f9433df9f7
Name: http://www.roboticsconnection.com/2006/08/TraxsterDriveService.htm
l:Servo2, Contract: , Service: dssp.tcp://keywest:50001/servoservice/a327eb3c-d1
4b-4fdc-8518-4b1d82238e81
Name: http://www.roboticsconnection.com/2006/08/TraxsterDriveService.htm
l:Cmps03, Contract: , Service: dssp.tcp://keywest:50001/cmps03
Name: http://www.roboticsconnection.com/2006/08/TraxsterDriveService.htm
l:LineSensor, Contract: , Service: dssp.tcp://keywest:50001/linesensorservice
Name: http://schemas.microsoft.com/xw/2004/10/dssp.html:ConstructorServi
ce, Contract: http://schemas.microsoft.com/xw/2004/10/constructor.html, Service:
dssp.tcp://keywest:50001/constructor/cd4c7b0d-7ff3-439f-b7e5-66414136cb60
Name: http://schemas.microsoft.com/xw/2004/10/dssp.html:PartnerListServi
ce, Contract: http://schemas.microsoft.com/xw/2004/10/partnerlist.html, Service:
dssp.tcp://keywest:50001/traxsterdriveservice/dss/partnermanager
Name: http://www.roboticsconnection.com/2006/08/TraxsterDriveService.htm
l:Gpio, Contract: http://www.roboticsconnection.com/2006/08/Gpio.html, Service:
dssp.tcp://keywest:50001/gpioservice
Name: http://www.roboticsconnection.com/2006/08/TraxsterDriveService.htm
l:GameController, Contract: http://schemas.microsoft.com/robotics/2006/09/gameco
ntroller.html, Service: dssp.tcp://keywest:50001/gamecontroller/dc98b9ef-4192-4a
ad-8cf3-5a42f4539b15
[05/31/2009 12:24:00][http://keywest:50000/traxsterdriveservice]
Unable to open serial port
* LineSensor Service uri: http://keywest:50000/linesensorservice [05/31/2009 1
2:24:01][http://keywest:50000/linesensorservice]
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200
Unable to open serial port
Initializing SerialIO, Port:12, BaudRate:19200

Compass troubleshooting

george23 — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:54:12 GMT

I have a CMPS03 Electronic Robot Compass installed on a Stinger robot and it doesn't get the angle right when I move my robot from 90 to 90 degrees until I reach 360.The corresponding value for 90 degrees is approx. 63 because the real value for 360 degrees is actually 255.When I get my compass out of the robot and make measurements with the compass on the table it seems ok, but when I do the same measurements with compass on the robot, angles are wrong. I try the same measurements with the compass on top of the robot because I figured that the compass will not detect earth's magnetic right if it's mounted inside robot's metallic chassis.Even so, the compass returns bad angles.Have to mention that I place the compass on the piece of material included in compass pack and i used tape to fix it on the robot.I didn't want it to make direct contact with metal and I didn't used screws.In one position compass returns 120 degrees and when I turn it to 90 real degrees it shows 123 ! The real value suppose to be 120 + approx 63 degrees corresponding to 90 degrees.Is it possible to interfere with the sensor panner ?

Encoder details for 7.2V 100oz-in. DC Gearhead Motor

nexisnet — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 10:18:51 GMT

I was wondering if anyone could provide me with more details on the encoder attached to the 7.2V 100oz-in. DC Gearhead Motor (which I assume is the same motor used in the Stinger robot kit). What kind of encoder is it (optical slit, optical reflective, magnetic, contact, etc). A manufacturer and part number, or just a datasheet would be very useful.

-Adam

displaying image from webcam in my app

wingers — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 07:25:44 GMT

Writing an app to control my robot and I want to be able to show the image the webcam is seeing in my app

The robot is a traxster II and serializer with an EEE PC netbook on top (as shown in other post), currently using the built in webcam but intend to fit a better quality webcam to robot at some point

I have managed to write app to control all aspects of the robot for now, but cannot for the life of me see how to get image from webcam showing

any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!

sorry if this is posted in wrong section

different methods of controlling motors - advice

wingers — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 13:45:25 GMT

I have a traxster II with the std motors that come with it

From looking at the serializer library it looks like I have several different methods to control the motors:-

1) DifferentialMotorController

2) PIDMotorController

3) PWMDCMotorController

4) DCMotorController

Can someone explain in simple terms the differences and why I should use one over the other, as a bit confused as to why 4 different ways to do one thing??

Thanks!

excessive play in one of my motor

loginatnine — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:38:02 GMT

Hi
I've bought the Stinger kit on robotshop.ca and i've been using it since a couple of week. I've applied a functional PID to the system and one wheel seems to rotate faster than the other. Also, and more importantly, I've noticed an increasing play in the motor, I can literaly move the wheel 1/10th of a turn before I start to notice resistance while the other motor has no or little play. Is there something I can do to fix that?
Thanks a lot

XBee Connectivity How-To Guide

jsummerour — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 05:00:49 GMT

Guys-n-Gals,

I just posted a new XBee Connectivity How-To Guide for our products here:

http://www.roboticsconnection.com/multimedia/docs/XBeeConnectionHowTo.pdf

This should help anyone who wishes to configure and connect XBee radios to our Serializer and RangeWizard product line, as well as Traxsters and Stingers fitted with Serializers. :)

The XBee-USB daughter cards for your computer will be available on our site over the next week or so.

Best Regards,

difficulties in computer-traxster connection

EP — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 06:51:41 GMT

Hi,

I'm a college student who is currently working on a project which envolves a trakster with a old serializer v1.1.
My main goal is to study closed loop control systems capable of adding functionlities to a robot such as the traxster.
I am, however, having some difficulties connecting from the computer to the traxster.
I purchased a standard RS232 cable but it seems that this cable is not correct since the robot is not responding to any command (even though I'm sure that the commands are being sent correctly)
Could you give me any indication regarding the correct type of rs232 cable or any other tip to get a reliable communication with the robot?
I appreciate all the help you can give.
I would appreciate a fast response, since I have a deadline regarding this project.

Best regards.

10 AMP HBridge take 2

rdesgagn — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:45:36 GMT

Hello all,

I have just received my new 10 amp hbridge but I have some problems with it. First, the connections :
PWM1 to a PWM source of course
DIR1 to a 0-5V for the direction ( for example 0 is reverse and 5v is forward)
GND to GND of my circuit
VCC to 5v or between 12-24 V power source ?

Do I need to use the +12V and GND outputs or they are there for me to use if I have ever need them ?

I tried to connect a +5v to the VCC and a PWM source to PWM1 and a TTL-compatible signal to DIR1 but it's the motor2 outputs which are activated. If I use the PWM2 and DIR2 instead, nothing happens on any outputs. Do I have a defective unit or is there something wrong with my connections ?

Thanks,

Rene

Is it possible to use another serial COM port on the serializer board?

SquallLTT — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 02:16:12 GMT

I'm wodering whether it's possible to use another serial COM port on the serializer board or not coz i'm gonna add some more motors for the traxter using serial COM communication. Any help would be appreciated.

Thx.

Voltage For 4 Servos and 2 Cams

Doom1992 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:57:56 GMT

Hello there. I would like to plug in 4 digital servos and 2 cams into my serializer board. Can i just use a battery to power all of these through the serializer power connectors onbord? If not what hardware will i need.

Thanks

Does the ICOP-eBox have an internal fan ?

deimos — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:20:45 GMT

Thanks,

Bad gearhead motor?

pirobot — Thu, 22 May 2008 11:25:27 GMT

Hi Jason and Company,

I bought a couple of your gearhead motors a few weeks back to use on a small wireless robot controlled by the Serializer + Bluetooth module. I started noticing that one of the motors didn't always turn at the same speed as the other even though I was using a TravelAtSpeed command. Some times it barely turns at all. When I turn the slow motor by hand, it is noticeably harder to rotate than the other motor. Also, if I let the Serializer run TravelAtSpeed for more than 30 seconds or so, one of the chips (H-bridge?) on the side of the bad motor gets very hot (and starts to smell!).

Does this sound like a bad motor or bad controller?

--patrick

Used Dynamixel Sensors

alzb92 — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 08:09:05 GMT

Hello, everybody!

I would like to know if someone would have an idea about how I could use sensors that use Dynamixel "TTL level Half-duplex UART."

In fact it would be how do I find a card that converts a signal to a signal I2C TTL.

Thank you in advance for the help that you will help me.

10 AMP H-Bridge Connections

autosnowblow — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:04:23 GMT

Hi,

I am trying to use the 10 Amp H-Bridge to drive two motors. I haven't been able to get a test motor to operate, and I am not sure about the connections because I can't find a datasheet.

12V: to positive 14 V power supply
GND: to negative 14 V power supply
VCC: to positive 5V power supply
PWM1: 5 VPP Square wave, 50% duty cycle
DIR1: to positive 5V power supply
DIR2: Not connected
PWM2: Not connected
Enable: to positive 5V power supply

The motor doesn't seem to be getting an output from the H-Bridge. I tried to adjust the duty cycle between 25-80%, but the motor still doesn't move.

Is there a conventional setup/settings that work?

Thanks.

How long can I use this robots if I have full capacity of battery?

jsummerour — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 19:18:42 GMT

How long a robot will operate on a fully charged battery depends on several factors, and we're by no means experts at this.

First of all, you need to know the capacity of the battery in Amp Hours (or milliAmp Hours). You also need to know how much current the components on your robot pulls. For example, a Stinger Robot Kit, retrofitted with a Serializer, and some Infrared Sensors might pull around 1 Amp to operate.

Once you know how much current your robot requires, and the capacity of your batteries, you can calculate *theoretical* run times. This of course is always more that the actual run times. :) I'm sure it also differs based on battery technologies.

Here are some quick links for battery run-time calculations I found searching google on this topic.

http://www.gizmology.net/batteries.htm

http://www.dg2k.co.uk/battery-appl.htm

To give you a rough idea of run-times for our robots, we've had a Stinger + Serializer + IR Sensor last a little over an hour and half, following a line around a course using a 2200mAh 9.6V NiMH battery.

Best Regars,