Roboteq Message Board

Turn off acknowledgement for RS232

cpayne — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:52:48 GMT

Is there way of turning off the RS232 acknowledgement in RS232 mode? it constantly outputs a W and I do not need awknowledgements when I command it to drive, etc. I only want it to return the encoder or current values, etc when I ask for it. I have other equipment on the same RS232 line and it just adds too much traffic and confusion.

Thanks!

AX1500 encoders serial bytes

cpayne — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:11:45 GMT

Hi. I am wanting to read the encoder position using a microchip. I was planning on using a level converter, but is it possible to get to the TTL Tx and Rx?

2nd is I am just using simple 16bit chip, then the chip sends the data to a host computer via a WiFi link. So my simple relay chip can not handle 32bit or signed. I would like to just read each of the 4 bytes for each encoder using simple serial commands. I was planning on picbasic pro, so some simple serout or serout2 command, then a serin or serin2 command. Reading the manual leads me to believe I can using the mailbox counter read/write method, but I am not too sure how to implemement this. ANy help or examples would be great.

Thanks!

AX3500 Current limit not working

hzhang — Thur, 09 Oct 2008 01:13:10 GMT

We are trying to limit the motor power (current) to keep our robot safe...

We have linked the AX3500 controller to the Roborun software, and set the Amps limit to 8, (the lowest possible setting). After puting load on the motor, the current can go up to 18A, shown from the run status tab. Is this a known issue? Any fix or workaround for it?

Thanks.

Input Switches EStop config incorrect?

Bryan — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:32:16 GMT

It seems that the system I am running is behaving differently than the User manual suggests with regard to the EStop input. The firmware and Manual I have are listed below:

I have an AX2550 with the following firmware:
RoboteQ v1.9d 10/23/07
{
RoboEnc v1.7 02/01/05
03
OK

I believe I have the latest manual (http://www.roboteq.com/documentation.html) AX2550 Motor Controller Users Manual Version 1.9b June 1, 2007.

If I look up the Input Switches Function definition on page 147 of the manual it says that enabling EStop requires the first 2 bits to be set to a 01 (binary). However, testing of the unit shows that EStop is only active for the 00 setting (the default and the manual says Input Disabled) and disabled for the 01 setting?

Can someone else who is using the EStop functionality comment on their settings?

We are monitoring the settings of the device and its EStop condition using the actual EStop input bit (using ?I), the Status Register (^89), looking at the controller AlphaNumeric display to monitor the estop condition, and verifying the configuration parameter (^04) using hyperterminal.

Thanks
Bryan

Motor creep

Darrell — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:21:11 GMT

After shutting off the R/C transmitter, the drive motors begin to slowly creep forward. Any idea how to stop this other than my kill switch on the Roboteq?<br>

SERIAL COMMUNICATION

tkjol — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:24:15 GMT

After numerous attempts, I successfully made communication between the AX500 and a PIC microcontroller. One of my first commands was to change Input Control just to see the LED's respond and verify that the command was recieved. Unfortunately, I put it into Analogue Mode and now I cannot get it to do anything. Even Roborun cannot establish communication.

Did I kill it? If not, how do I get it under control again? It was wired up for dual axis Closed Loop Position Control with the feed back potentiometers wired back to the AX500. Prior to my serial command, it operated great with Roborun. Please help.....................

JKJoystick2.ocx ???

asteroids — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 19:23:51 GMT

Just installed the latest software suite.
When I start up roborun I get JKJoystick2.ocx missing.

I'm running win2k.

Anyone have any ideas?

tom

Solenoid proportional valve

pantanogiorgio — Thur, 25 Sep 2008 17:37:10 GMT

Dear Sirs

I ask you if possible with AX???? control solenoid proportional valve
with analog voltage in the range of 0 5V or analog currents from zero to 20 mA. (max 10 mA);

Regards,
Giorgio Pantano

AX2500 Analog driven Position mode?

jamez_warner — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 11:01:50 GMT

I'm trying to get an AX2500 running v1.3 to run both outputs in position mode driven by a potentiometer connected to the analog input.

If I use the 1.9 software available on your website I am able to choose AB position mode, but can only select encoder as the input type (control is via RC)

Any idea's how to achieve this? I bought the controller with this in mind... Do I need a firmware upgrade? (this is a 2500 not a 2550)

I only have a copy of the 1.0 cd, and the links previously posted on this forum for 1.3 are dead...

The 1.9 roborun also reports the controller as a 3500 for some reason?

James

Steering parts for the beginner

wstuck — Thur, 11 Sep 2008 11:47:48 GMT

I am trying to control a Buggy / Side-by-Side vehicle using the existing steering box. The project data is on my web site at www.wws2.net.

Parts:
I am planning on using the AX2550 controller operated in the position mode with a hardwired joystick to control it. I will be using a DC Gear reduction motor from NPC Robotic number NPC-T64 with a belt or chain connection to turn the existing steering rod.

The Problem:
I dont know what to use for the feedback sensor in this application,
or what Part number would be best with the controller and motor selection.

Thanks for any help,
WStuck

Issues Configuring AX3500

UWRTd — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:44:22 GMT

I have an AX3500 with controller software version 1.7b. When configuring it on a PC it will connect, but i get the message "Bad data recieved from controller. Some parameters may be wrong. Try again or reset the controller". I am using roboteq software rev 1.9d. The controller does the self test and i can see the RS232 data on the console. I can't load anything or save anything to the controller, it simply says "controller could not respond"

Could i get a copy of the 1.7 roboteq software? i can't find it anyway. Any ideas about fixing this problem?

Help with parts to order for remote buggy

wstuck — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 19:00:38 GMT

I am building a joystick controlled side-by-side vehicle for use by disabled kids and adults. It looks like the products made by RoboteQ will be able to do the job but I will need extra parts like actuators and sensors. Can someone please help with any suggestions for parts and schematics? The data for my project is on my web site at www.wws2.net .

Thanks for any help or suggestions,

Bill

AX0500 Operation

RickBrooks — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:51:42 GMT

I have just started using an AX0500SC in an autonomous vehicle. When going from high speed to zero speed the vehicle seems to coast down to a stop.

Other Roboteq controllers that I have used (AX2500, AX2550, and AX1500SC) appear to brake to a stop, not the AX0500SC. Is this normal behavior for the AX0500SC?

Also, in the AX0500 manual, figure 10 on page 28 appears different from figure 11 on page 29. In figure 10 M1- is to the right of M1+, while figure 11 shows M1+ to the right of M1-. I think that my AX0500 board is marked like figure 10, but the wiring for single channel operation in figure 11 is correct. Since I've used the AX1500SC, this did cause some confusion.

Rick Brooks

Channel B Encoder not working

kiransmk — Thur, 28 Aug 2008 20:40:51 GMT

Hi,

I am trying to fix the encoder to the AX3500 controller board. Channel A encoder is working perfectly. But, on the channel B encoder is not working. When I checked the voltage at the encoder pins and the connector pins, there is no voltage(0V) at Channel B. Do I have to change any jumper settings on the controller board or is the any way to check the Channel B signals. Please reply ASAP.
Thank you.

Self Test Error = stuck after version, powers motors intermittently

ErinElizBeck — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:16:33 GMT

My AX3500 rev2.0 recently stopped powering motors in the middle of a deployment. No visible damage to the board.

Self-test mode shows version and then "forward"...then stops. Does not repeat. Does not send voltage to the motors (probed with oscilloscope).

Checked test points. 12 V = 10.9 V, 5 V = 4.9 V. (I tested the 12 V test point on a working rev3.2 AX3500 and it also showed 10.9 V.)

During some self-tests the M1 motors turned but not M2, now neither turns. Seems intermittent, generally off.

What does this self-test stall mean? Other suggestions?

Though I have a backup board, I want to find out what disrupted this one so it doesn't happen again...

Thanks!