Pololu robotics forum

Re: The Wi-Tank

Author: paul
Forum: Pololu Servo Controllers
Date: 2010-07-31

Hello,

Cool project. Can you post any pictures of the robot?

The Maestro is okay with a 5V supply shared between the servos and Vin. However, the +5V(out) pin on your Maestro is probably not a good place to get it. You might be able to get enough power from USB to move one servo at a time, as long as it is never straining too hard, but neither USB or our power supply circuit are designed to handle more than about 500 mA - and the limit might be as low as 100 mA, depending on how your laptop works. If you tried to power multiple servos at the same time, the USB port would probably disconnect the Maestro, and it could potentially even be damaged. Also, you would have to be careful to never power the Maestro from a battery if you are using the 5V output in this way.

A slightly better way to do it would be to get the 5V directly from the USB cable or by soldering wires to the USB connector, so that the limitations of the Maestro would not affect you, but you would still be limited by the laptop.

Overall, I would say that you should keep using the extra battery!

-Paul

Re: Strange behaviour in set_motors

Author: paul
Forum: 3pi Robot
Date: 2010-07-31

Hm, that is really weird. I have a vague memory of some avr-gcc optimization-related issues involving treating small integers as char types instead of int - can you try your test using a speed of 127 instead of 128, just to see if that could be the problem?

-Paul

The Wi-Tank

Author: TjFitz
Forum: Pololu Servo Controllers
Date: 2010-07-31

Dont know if this is the right spot for this thread.. but heres the plan made possible by that little Maestro.

I am constructing a vehicle uniting a few technologies I have in the house and brought together by the Maestro.

I am building a track vehicle from Lego, lego motors and all. The track platform will house a subtractor transmission for less drive battery usage. A webcam, but more than likely a mini wireless camera. and the base will hold my little Netbook. Various other RC components.

If sitting at the Netbook, I would be able to contol the Maestro and thereby all the functions of the vehicle. While scripting autonomous functions would be fun (all props to those who can make those machines), I dont have sensors and such.. yet..

So the best sensor is Me. And I got one of those SO since my netbook has wireless capability and my internet router too, I have an old program called VNC for desktop sharing via IP. So I will open Maestro in the netbook, then control it live on the remote desktop emulation on my big PC.

Then just do what I want to do with the vehicle..

I have a Dazzle USB AV input and a few 2.4GHz mini cameras which I can 'link' to my PC vor a better live view from the vehicle which I think I will use because the remote desktop emulation runs at about 3fps. Plus if I use the wireless cam, I can record better on the big PC.

1 problem... Im getting battery heavy. Netbook, Cam battery (mini 2c LiPo), Track motor battery (7 AAA pack), Servo batteries (4x AA)... Is it recommended to link the USB +5v to the servo power if I am only running servos or will this mess with the Maestro?

Re: Just a suggestion

Author: TjFitz
Forum: Pololu Servo Controllers
Date: 2010-07-31

Awesome! Like I said.. it was just a little hicup in my plan.. good lookin out

Re: Strange behaviour in set_motors

Author: fernape
Forum: 3pi Robot
Date: 2010-07-31

Hello,

Did your 3pi ever drive correctly before, or was the optimization problem from a previous 3pi?

-Paul

Yes, it did. The first time I tried, I was a bit puzzled until I searched the forums and knew about the compiler bug. I disabled optimizations and it was able to follow a line (this was with avr-gcc 4.3.0 IIRC). After that I didn't play with the pololu for a while and now (after a couple of updates in my system, including avr-gcc) I get the same behavior.
How can I see if it is a software problem or a hardware one? Does anybody have a similar setup?

Thanks.

Re: Daisy Chaining Shiftbrites

Author: aron42486
Forum: Other Pololu Products
Date: 2010-07-30

Thanks Paul, I will try that this weekend and let you know how it turns out

Re: Daisy Chaining Shiftbrites

Author: paul
Forum: Other Pololu Products
Date: 2010-07-30

By the way, I have not actually tried this code, so please let me know if it does not work for you (and post your complete code).

-Paul

Re: Daisy Chaining Shiftbrites

Author: paul
Forum: Other Pololu Products
Date: 2010-07-30

Hello,

Have you seen our example Maestro program (at the end of this page)? The following lines in that program shift out three 10-bit values plus the two command bits required for the ShiftBrite, for a total of 32 bits:

0 send_bit # this bit does not matter
0 send_bit # the "address" bit - 0 means a color command
swap rot rot
send_10_bit_value
send_10_bit_value
send_10_bit_value

If you want to send two sets of RGB colors to two ShiftBrites, you should be able to just duplicate this block of code. That will cause it to shift out two sets of color commands instead of one, for a total of 64 bits. Then, when you call the rgb function, you will need to give it two sets of RGB values. For example:

1023 511 255 1023 511 255 rgb

will set the two to the same color. Notice that the latch pin is only toggled once if you do it this way - otherwise you would briefly see the colors appear on the wrong ShfitBrites before they get shifted onto the correct ones.

-Paul

Daisy Chaining Shiftbrites

Author: aron42486
Forum: Other Pololu Products
Date: 2010-07-30

Hello,

I am new to the Maestro's coding lanuage and I just need help on code for 2 daisy chained shiftbrites. I read the resources attached to the shiftbrites page but I do not know to translate arduino code into maestro code, and I cannot find any example codes for a daisychained setup. For the most part both shiftbrites will be displaying the same color, and maybe flashing between 2 different colors.

If someone could provide me with an example code or let me know where I can go to learn how to do the daisy chain, I would appreciate it. Thank you.

Circuit Design Resources

Author: aron42486
Forum: Electronics
Date: 2010-07-30

Does anyone have any good resources about circuit desgin?

I need to figure out what voltage power supply and resistors I need for a circuit that will have some shiftbrites, a micro maestro 6, and 18 other leds. I knew how to do all this stuff 3 years ago, but it has been awhile and I need to brush up on how to do the calculations.

I just need good resources. Thanks

Re: Strange behaviour in set_motors

Author: paul
Forum: 3pi Robot
Date: 2010-07-30

Hello,

Did your 3pi ever drive correctly before, or was the optimization problem from a previous 3pi?

-Paul

Strange behaviour in set_motors

Author: fernape
Forum: 3pi Robot
Date: 2010-07-30

Hi all,

I'm trying to make the 3pi-linefollower example work. I successfully compiled the program. I'm using the latest libpololu-avr-100607.zip. I use the Makefile provided with the example code (modified to find the libraries in my local installation path). Everything seems fine. However, at the beginning of the program, the robot moves forward and backwards instead of doing it to the right and to the left (trying to find the "line). I even wrote a very simple program:

#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <pololu/3pi.h>
#include <util/delay.h>

/* Program entry point */
int main(int argc, char **arv)
{
/* The map */
for(;;) {
set_motors(128, 128);
_delay_ms(3000);
set_motors(0, 0);
_delay_ms(3000);
}

/* Back to system */
return 0;
}

In this case, one wheel turns clockwise and the other one does it counter clockwise. However if I write something like set_motors(x, -x), both wheels turn in the same direction.

What am I doing wrong? I remember I had this problem before, but it was fixed by disabling optimizations. This "fix" doesn't work for me in this case.
I'm using:
avr-binutils-2.20_1
avr-gcc-4.3.4_2
avr-libc-1.6.8_2,1
avrdude-5.10

Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Re: Read a sensor from mini Maestro with Labview

Author: paul
Forum: Pololu Servo Controllers
Date: 2010-07-30

Also, I should say that "no input voltage" is quite different from "zero input voltage", so you did not have any reason to expect them to be zero. If you really want your channels to be at zero when nothing is connected, you need to add a pull-down resistor.

-Paul

Re: Read a sensor from mini Maestro with Labview

Author: paul
Forum: Pololu Servo Controllers
Date: 2010-07-30

Hello,

The Maestro (like most microcontroller-based products) has a single analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that is switched between the different inputs. So, when it switches to a channel with nothing connected, the residual voltage left over from the previous channel will affect the reading.

This is not a problem, because once you actually connect something to those channels, they will work fine.

-Paul

Re: Read a sensor from mini Maestro with Labview

Author: Jagoba
Forum: Pololu Servo Controllers
Date: 2010-07-30

Thanks Paul,
I found the way to read the input and I have added the block diagram for people in the same situation as I was.
Now I got another problem.
I need to read four sensors for my project. In the Maestro Control Center I configured the “channel 0” as an input and everything worked fine. If I configure the first four channels as inputs and if I connect only one of them to the sensor, the input voltage affects in the other channels position value. I have connected the voltage input only to channel 0 but the channel 1 2 and 3 are also moving (see in the following picture). They should be in 0 position due to the no input voltage.
Do you know what could be the reason?

Re: Trouble installing the USB 16-Servo Controller

Author: John L
Forum: Pololu Servo Controllers
Date: 2010-07-29

I've got it working now, changed the USB cable and it worked. Funny thing is, i'm pretty sure both USB cables I've tried are working (use them for my USB drive). But the servo controller only likes one of them. Anyway, i'm not complianing. Thank you all for your time.

John

Trouble installing the USB 16-Servo Controller

Author: John L
Forum: Pololu Servo Controllers
Date: 2010-07-29

Hi all

I'm having trouble installing the USB 16 Servo Controller. I've been following the guide on the installation process (I'm using Windows XP). Steps 1-6 are all fine. But at step 7 (taken from http://www.pololu.com/docs/0J7/2)

7. Connect the Pololu device to your computer’s USB port. Your computer will detect the new hardware and open the “Found New Hardware Wizard”.

I get a "USB Device Not Recognized", and if i check the status of the Unknown USB Device, the status is something like " the device has no drivers installed".

Can someone please help me out and tell me what the problem is?

Best regards

John

Re: Baby Orangutan B-328 & Spektrum AR500 5-Channel Receiver

Author: Ben
Forum: Orangutan Robot Controllers
Date: 2010-07-29

Hello.

The Pololu AVR library has functions for controlling motors with the Baby Orangutan and functions for reading pulses/PWM signals on its digital inputs, which should make it easy to do what you're trying to do. The library download includes several example programs that use the OrangutanPulseIn functions.

- Ben

Baby Orangutan B-328 & Spektrum AR500 5-Channel Receiver

Author: knave9008
Forum: Orangutan Robot Controllers
Date: 2010-07-29

This is my first time using the Baby Orangutan and I'm a inexperienced programmer. I was wondering if code or a tutorial exists that would allow me to drive 2 motors using the two?

Re: Just a suggestion

Author: paul
Forum: Pololu Servo Controllers
Date: 2010-07-29

Hello,

Thanks for the suggestion and for the compliments on the Maestro! We have added a link to the .NET download; hopefully that will save time for others in the future.

-Paul

Re: Need help programing Baby Orangutan B with USBtiny

Author: adafruit_support
Forum: Orangutan Robot Controllers
Date: 2010-07-29

I realize the canonical place to ask questions about this would be there, but they've been less than helpful to this point, and I thought someone else here might be using that programmer.

hi joe,

we reviewed the forums and do not see any post from you requesting help, if you're having issues with an adafruit product please post in our forums so we can best assist you, thanks!

adafruit support

Re: Need advice on power supply

Author: Ben
Forum: Orangutan Robot Controllers
Date: 2010-07-28

Hello.

There really isn't any required circuit design as all of the power regulation circuitry is already on the Orangutan SVP. All you need is a power source, and the ideal power source for your project depends on what you are trying to do. If you are making something stationary that will be near a wall outlet, a 3A wall wart is a good choice. The input voltage is passed through to the motor drivers, so you want to select an appropriate voltage for whatever motors you plan on running, and you need to make sure that your power supply can deliver the current the motors will draw at that voltage (keep in mind that motors will briefly draw their full stall current if fully powered from rest).

If you want something mobile (or at least something that can operate away from a wall outlet), I recommend a battery holder or NiMH battery pack. Once again, you should choose the voltage based on what you want for your motors, and you should choose the capacity based on how long you want your system to run before the batteries need to be replaced or recharged.

- Ben

Need advice on power supply

Author: x181
Forum: Orangutan Robot Controllers
Date: 2010-07-28

I'm looking to purchase the svp-1284. I've used bench supplies and breadboards several years ago (seems like yesterday) at a university for projects and it's been a while since I've done any type of circuit design since I have since focused on software. With introductions aside, I'd like to know what type of power supply is recommended for these boards. I was looking at a 9V 3A (max) wall plug and the 2.1 female jack. I'm guessing I can attach the jack to the board and plug it into the wall. Is this the right approach? I admit I'm a total newbie to practical circuit design but if anyone can assist me, you have my thanks.

Re: Book reference

Author: Ben
Forum: Resources
Date: 2010-07-28

You're welcome to ask questions here about anything in the datasheet you find confusing. The discussions might help others who are trying to get started.

- Ben

Re: Book reference

Author: goober
Forum: Resources
Date: 2010-07-28

I know it might seem a little intimidating at first, but the AVR datasheets are a good resource if you want to understand the hardware better (and our library source code is available if you want to see examples of low-level control of various hardware peripherals). You are also welcome to post specific questions here. Also, this thread might be interesting to you if you're looking for a book recommendation:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1847

- Ben

Well, the data sheets are more opaque to me than intimidating. I've been looking up words and terms on the net as I read through them and that's helped some. I'm just feeling like I should be more systematic about this.

I'll check out the thread, thanks

Joe

Re: Book reference

Author: goober
Forum: Resources
Date: 2010-07-28

Hello.

I would not recommend that book (we have it). It has been a while (maybe five years or more), so I don't remember the details, but I remember not being impressed. It's now ten years old, which is a lot for this kind of thing.

- Jan

Well, that's good to know, thanks.

Joe

Re: Getting 9V from Vcc on Baby Orangutan

Author: goober
Forum: Orangutan Robot Controllers
Date: 2010-07-28

Ah, I was confused because you can't get 9V with a pack of NiMH cells (a 7-cell NiMH pack would have a nominal voltage of 8.4V and an 8-cell pack would have a nominal voltage of 9.6V). How many cells were in your battery pack? An NiMH battery pack should work just fine for a small robot like yours. What makes you think it wasn't working as well as it should? Did you charge it before you used it?
- Ben

Yes, I charged it before using it. It has 8 cells, so I guess it's putting out the right voltage. The reason I was wondering is that when I used it to power the baby orangutan, the power light just barely came on, and the LED didn't blink at all (I have the BlinkLED test program loaded at the moment). When I used the six AA pack it came on full blast.

Looks like the NiMH pack is putting out 2.1 milli amps according to my multimeter. Maybe I need to redo the connector, that doesn't sound like enough.

Joe

Re: first time - need help with pololu 6 channel USB controler

Author: asmd
Forum: Pololu Servo Controllers
Date: 2010-07-28

hi,

just tried using a different servo.
the servo was defective.
:)

regards,
asmd.

Re: first time - need help with pololu 6 channel USB controler

Author: jan
Forum: Pololu Servo Controllers
Date: 2010-07-28

Hello.

That's strange since the servo shouldn't even be capable of turning all the way around. You can confirm that the problem is with the servo by plugging it into one of your RC systems and separately trying some of your other servos with the Maestro.

- Jan

first time - need help with pololu 6 channel USB controler

Author: asmd
Forum: Pololu Servo Controllers
Date: 2010-07-28

hi,

this is my first time here.
apart from RC cars ive never delved into this before.
i just received in the mail a micro power hd servo and a pololu meastro 6 channel servo controller for a project i had in mind.
i wired everything up and was eager to try it out.
it all lights up ok, servo arm moves.
when i start the software controller and enable the servo, it just starts going around in circles. using the slider i can either slow it down or speed it up but it does not act like a servo, instead it just keeps going around continuously.

it stops when i disable it in the meastro controller check box (under the status page)
when i enable it again, it just goes off continuously in circles.

any and all help is much appreciated fellas.

thanks,
regards,
asmd.

anything im doing wrong? some way to reset this or is something defective somewhere?

Re: help...Need to make a wireless robot with cam

Author: Ben
Forum: General Robotics Discussion
Date: 2010-07-28

Very cool! Can you tell us more about your project?

- Ben

Re: Book reference

Author: Ben
Forum: Resources
Date: 2010-07-28

I know it might seem a little intimidating at first, but the AVR datasheets are a good resource if you want to understand the hardware better (and our library source code is available if you want to see examples of low-level control of various hardware peripherals). You are also welcome to post specific questions here. Also, this thread might be interesting to you if you're looking for a book recommendation:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1847

- Ben

Re: 2 Dead Baby O's - Help?

Author: Ben
Forum: Orangutan Robot Controllers
Date: 2010-07-28

Hello.

Do you have another programmer you can try with either of these boards? Also, does your AVRISP mkII still work correctly with other devices (i.e. have you ruled out that the problem is with the programmer?)?

I am not familiar enough with the AVRISP mkII to know what happens if you program an underpowered board, but I know of other programmers where this can lead to corruption of the microcontroller. I wouldn't expect this to cause the programmer to think the cable is plugged in backwards, though. If the programmer is unhappy just being plugged in, it makes me think the board might be damaged. Do you see 5V on VCC when the board is powered?

The second scenario you describe isn't necessarily one that would result in any problems, and I'm concerned about your statement "without setting the proper fuses". The Baby Orangutan fuses are properly configured before we ship the unit and they should not be touched again unless the user knows precisely what he is doing. Also, it is pointless to look at the fuses tab in this situation since the programmer must first enter programming mode in order to read the device fuses. Can you give me any more details about what the student did (e.g. what code he tried to program onto the device and what he clicked in the AVRISP dialog box)?

If you can't program the boards with another programmer, or if you don't have another programmer to try, you should contact me directly at ben at pololu dot com for information on how to send the boards back for us to look at.

- Ben

Re: Book reference

Author: jan
Forum: Resources
Date: 2010-07-28

Hello.

I would not recommend that book (we have it). It has been a while (maybe five years or more), so I don't remember the details, but I remember not being impressed. It's now ten years old, which is a lot for this kind of thing.

- Jan

2 Dead Baby O's - Help?

Author: me_dan
Forum: Orangutan Robot Controllers
Date: 2010-07-28

Hi-

I work in a research lab and I believe a student fried two of my Baby O boards. I'm wondering whether anyone has seen anything similar, and whether there is a way to fix either/both. I have a bench supply on my desk and I'm powering both boards with 6 volts. There are no other devices connected to the boards. I have successfully programmed both in the past, but I can't program them any more.

Board 1: I think he underpowered it while programming (he thought it was a 3.3V board). I have an AVRISP Mk II and when I connect it to the Baby O it fast blinks orange. The manual says that this means that the programming cable is reversed, but it fast blinks orange in both the correct and incorrect configuration.

Board 2: He got the power right, but opened a new project in AVR Studio and tried to program it without setting the proper fuses or selecting the right chip. In other words, he didn't use one of the example projects from the libpololu directory as a starting point. When I connect the AVRISP Mk II I get the solid green light, but any attempt to program it leads to an error. I get a popup window ("A problem occurred when executing the command...") and see "Entering Programming Mode.. FAILED!" in the log section. On the fuses tab, the SPIEN fuse has a red question mark in its box.

Does anyone have any idea what's going on, and how I might go about fixing these boards? Thanks!!

Re: help...Need to make a wireless robot with cam

Author: ajaxjones
Forum: General Robotics Discussion
Date: 2010-07-28

Ive just made one in fact
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qozrfDLv5IQ

using a Yellowjacket arduino with built in wi-fi and Trex Jr motor controller and a rp-5 chassis. Used a wireless 2.4ghz cam

Re: Read a sensor from mini Maestro with Labview

Author: paul
Forum: Pololu Servo Controllers
Date: 2010-07-28

Hello,

I do not know anything about Labview, but I do not see the command you are sending to the Maestro anywhere in your diagram. Can you tell us exactly what bytes you are trying to send and what response you expect? You might want to try it first with the Pololu Serial Transmitter.

-Paul

Re: Book reference

Author: goober
Forum: Resources
Date: 2010-07-28

Hello.

It looks interesting. I think it's a good book for you if you're interested in learning how to do low-level AVR development. If you just want to get started with AVRs, however, you might want to first just try playing around with libraries that take care of the low-level stuff for you and provide you with a nice, high-level interface. For example, our AVR C/C++ library gives you functions for interfacing with all of the hardware on the Orangutan and a lot of sample programs showing how it works. Are you already familiar with C?

- Ben

Yes, I've been a software developer for 20+ years, mostly C/C++, and the pololu library looks very good. However I don't understand some of the concepts used, how the address pin macros work, and so forth, so I thought I'd need a little more understanding of the hardware.

Thanks

Joe

Read a sensor from mini Maestro with Labview

Author: Jagoba
Forum: Pololu Servo Controllers
Date: 2010-07-28

Hello everyone,
I have a Mini Maestro 24 and I am trying to read the input from a sensor using the Labview. It works fine in the Maestro control Center, but when I run the Labview, there is no Buffer reading. I have checked my “Servo command port” (COM4 and Baud rate: 9600) so I set up the same in the Labview, I also have chosen the USB chained in the Maestro Control Center. I can control the servos with the Labview, the problem is that I cannot read the input.
Could someone tell me if the Block Diagram is correct?
Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Jagoba

Just a suggestion

Author: TjFitz
Forum: Pololu Servo Controllers
Date: 2010-07-27

Pololu,

Just wanted to suggest that you add to your Resources tab for the Maestro controllers, that you will need to download the Microsoft .NET 3.5 package to run the Maestro controller. Yes, in the installation process of the controller, the install includes performing this download, however, I purchased mine with the intent on using it with a laptop not connected to the net.

I downloaded all the Pololu software and manuals on my internet machine and thumb drive'd it to my laptop and went on my way. When I went to install the controller software, the 3.5 stuff was required. Was no big deal to get it later and install it, but I had to wait until the next day. Like presents on the 25th but dont get to play till the 26th... Just wish I had known.

Just a note and a link on the tab should keep everyone future users on point.

I bought the 12ch version.. Its much much more than I had expected!!!

Re: Book reference

Author: Ben
Forum: Resources
Date: 2010-07-27

Hello.

It looks interesting. I think it's a good book for you if you're interested in learning how to do low-level AVR development. If you just want to get started with AVRs, however, you might want to first just try playing around with libraries that take care of the low-level stuff for you and provide you with a nice, high-level interface. For example, our AVR C/C++ library gives you functions for interfacing with all of the hardware on the Orangutan and a lot of sample programs showing how it works. Are you already familiar with C?

- Ben

Re: Getting 9V from Vcc on Baby Orangutan

Author: Ben
Forum: Orangutan Robot Controllers
Date: 2010-07-27

Ah, I was confused because you can't get 9V with a pack of NiMH cells (a 7-cell NiMH pack would have a nominal voltage of 8.4V and an 8-cell pack would have a nominal voltage of 9.6V). How many cells were in your battery pack? An NiMH battery pack should work just fine for a small robot like yours. What makes you think it wasn't working as well as it should? Did you charge it before you used it?

Six alkaline cells would have a nominal voltage of 9V, so I think you have plenty of juice left in them if you're seeing 9.6V.

- Ben

Book reference

Author: goober
Forum: Resources
Date: 2010-07-27

I'm thinking about getting this book http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Customizing-Microcontroller-Dhananjay-Gadre/dp/007134666X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280285909&sr=8-1

Just wondering if anyone had opinions about it.

Thanks

Joe

Re: Getting 9V from Vcc on Baby Orangutan

Author: goober
Forum: Orangutan Robot Controllers
Date: 2010-07-27

Hello.

Are you using a 9V battery or a 9V pack? If you are using a 9V battery, I suggest you consider using a different power source for your robot. 9V batteries cannot deliver much current and are poor choices for applications such as driving motors.

- Ben

Actually I had a NiMH pack made up at a local battery store, I'm not sure it works as well as it should though. I substituted a six AA battery holder and everything ran much better. It's reading 9.6 volts, but maybe needs to be recharged again anyway.

Thanks

Joe

Re: Getting 9V from Vcc on Baby Orangutan

Author: Ben
Forum: Orangutan Robot Controllers
Date: 2010-07-27

Hello.

Are you using a 9V battery or a 9V pack? If you are using a 9V battery, I suggest you consider using a different power source for your robot. 9V batteries cannot deliver much current and are poor choices for applications such as driving motors.

- Ben

Re: Getting 9V from Vcc on Baby Orangutan

Author: goober
Forum: Orangutan Robot Controllers
Date: 2010-07-27

Hello, Joe.

You are not connecting the Baby Orangutan's ground. The ground of the Baby Orangutan should be connected to the ground of the battery. In general, unless you are doing something advanced, you will want all the grounds in your system to be connected together.

- Ryan

Thanks, that was it. I saw it in the user guide too but just didn't think about it. Sorry to be such a nug.

Thanks

Joe

Re: Getting 9V from Vcc on Baby Orangutan

Author: RyanTM
Forum: Orangutan Robot Controllers
Date: 2010-07-27

Hello, Joe.

You are not connecting the Baby Orangutan's ground. The ground of the Baby Orangutan should be connected to the ground of the battery. In general, unless you are doing something advanced, you will want all the grounds in your system to be connected together.

- Ryan

Getting 9V from Vcc on Baby Orangutan

Author: goober
Forum: Orangutan Robot Controllers
Date: 2010-07-27

I hope this isn't just my lack of understanding showing, but I'm measuring 9 volts coming from the Vcc output on my Baby Orangutan (328p). Here's a picture of my setup - I've cleared away all the other wires.

DSC_0458.jpg

I've got a 9 volt battery pack under the shelf that the breadboard is attached to. It's putting out about 9.6 volts. The wires from the battery are attached to the little header block plugged into the breadboard.

I'm feeding that into VIN and measuring Vcc by putting the tip of the red probe from my multimeter in the Vcc hole (top left, right next to M1B, and the black probe against the black wire coming from the power rail.

If I'm reading the user guide correctly I think I should be seeing 5 volts, but I'm seeing 9.1 volts. Am I just misunderstanding, or setting this up wrong?

Thanks

Joe

New lower rates on FedEx shipping worldwide

Author: paul
Forum: Pololu Announcements
Date: 2010-07-27

Hello,

We have been working with FedEx to bring down our shipping rates, and we are happy to announce that shipping via FedEx Express will now cost you about 30-70% less. Combined with our same-day shipping, these new rates will let you get your parts faster and cheaper than ever.

International customers will especially benefit from the lower prices on fast, trackable shipping from FedEx - and even if you do not order directly from us, we hope that your local distributor will take advantage of the lower rates to make Pololu products available to you sooner and faster.

-Paul

Re: Simple Fan Speed Control with the 21v3

Author: paul
Forum: Pololu Motor Controllers and Motor Drivers
Date: 2010-07-27

Great!

-Paul