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Discussion Groups | BasicX | serial servo board

Discussion forum for the BasicX family of microcontroller chips.

serial servo board - Dan Schueler - May 21 12:34:00 2001

Hi all,
is there another forum for support of the servo 8 board?
if not ... the board I got will only stay connected to the pc for a couple of seconds
before shutting itself off. That is, I start the program, try to drag the slider one way
or the other from center, and the thing seems to stall. The led goes red (on the screen)
and the motor twitches, then goes back to center. I can turn the port back on, and
drag the slider very slowly to one side or other and it will step. Go very fast that the
motor twitches, port goes off. Are the motors real picky about how fast you move them?



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Re: serial servo board - Tony Brenke - May 21 12:53:00 2001

I am using one and it works great. the error (red light in program) says it is droping coms.
check your settings.

the buffer is overflowing.
increase the baud rate for moving fast.
--- Dan Schueler <> wrote:
> Hi all,
> is there another forum for support of the servo 8 board?
> if not ... the board I got will only stay connected to the pc for a
> couple of seconds
> before shutting itself off. That is, I start the program, try to
> drag the slider one way
> or the other from center, and the thing seems to stall. The led goes
> red (on the screen)
> and the motor twitches, then goes back to center. I can turn the
> port back on, and
> drag the slider very slowly to one side or other and it will step.
> Go very fast that the
> motor twitches, port goes off. Are the motors real picky about how
> fast you move them? >

=====
Tony Brenke
North Tacoma, WA

__________________________________________________


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Re: serial servo board - Author Unknown - May 21 13:07:00 2001

I'm also curious about additional support info for the serial servo
board. From the little bit that I've played with this product, I'd
say that you're probably using shared power and that the voltage is
dropping out during significant servo movements, which is shutting
down the controller side of the board. It appears to not self-reset
after this happens.
Try splitting the power, feeding the controller more voltage, up to
15V, I believe. IIRC,it's jumper block 2, pins 2 & 3 for this
connection. The default is a jumper between pins 1 & 2 for shared
power. Check the documentation before making the connection based on
what I recall!
Another thing to watch out for with this board: When disconnecting
power, remove the + voltage source before the Ground. I appear to
have fried one board by removing the Ground first. (Need to make
inquiries about repair/replacement on that one..)

--- In basicx@y..., Dan Schueler <dans@o...> wrote:
> Hi all,
> is there another forum for support of the servo 8 board?
> if not ... the board I got will only stay connected to the pc for
a couple of seconds
> before shutting itself off. That is, I start the program, try to
drag the slider one way
> or the other from center, and the thing seems to stall. The led
goes red (on the screen)
> and the motor twitches, then goes back to center. I can turn the
port back on, and
> drag the slider very slowly to one side or other and it will step.
Go very fast that the
> motor twitches, port goes off. Are the motors real picky about how
fast you move them?




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Re: Re: serial servo board - Tony Brenke - May 21 13:27:00 2001

also for the people using the bx to controle the t8 board I have a
better bas file for talking with it. --- wrote:
> I'm also curious about additional support info for the serial servo
>
> board. From the little bit that I've played with this product, I'd
> say that you're probably using shared power and that the voltage is
> dropping out during significant servo movements, which is shutting
> down the controller side of the board. It appears to not self-reset
> after this happens.
> Try splitting the power, feeding the controller more voltage, up to
>
> 15V, I believe. IIRC,it's jumper block 2, pins 2 & 3 for this
> connection. The default is a jumper between pins 1 & 2 for shared
> power. Check the documentation before making the connection based on
>
> what I recall!
> Another thing to watch out for with this board: When disconnecting
>
> power, remove the + voltage source before the Ground. I appear to
> have fried one board by removing the Ground first. (Need to make
> inquiries about repair/replacement on that one..)
>
> --- In basicx@y..., Dan Schueler <dans@o...> wrote:
> > Hi all,
> > is there another forum for support of the servo 8 board?
> > if not ... the board I got will only stay connected to the pc for
> a couple of seconds
> > before shutting itself off. That is, I start the program, try to
> drag the slider one way
> > or the other from center, and the thing seems to stall. The led
> goes red (on the screen)
> > and the motor twitches, then goes back to center. I can turn the
> port back on, and
> > drag the slider very slowly to one side or other and it will step.
>
> Go very fast that the
> > motor twitches, port goes off. Are the motors real picky about how
>
> fast you move them? >
>
>

=====
Tony Brenke
North Tacoma, WA

__________________________________________________
______________________________
controlSUITE™ software. Comprehensive. Intuitive. Optimized.
Real-world software for real-time control. Details Here!


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Re: serial servo board - Author Unknown - May 22 21:04:00 2001

I am using a BX-24 to control the board with pretty fair success,
but I'm a bit of a BX-24 novice and I would appreciate the use of
that .bas file.
Thanks!

--- In basicx@y..., Tony Brenke <trbrenke@y...> wrote:
> also for the people using the bx to controle the t8 board I have a
> better bas file for talking with it. > --- kdoyle@m... wrote:
> > I'm also curious about additional support info for the serial
servo
> >
> > board. From the little bit that I've played with this product,
I'd
> > say that you're probably using shared power and that the voltage
is
> > dropping out during significant servo movements, which is
shutting
> > down the controller side of the board. It appears to not self-
reset
> > after this happens.
> > Try splitting the power, feeding the controller more voltage,
up to
> >
> > 15V, I believe. IIRC,it's jumper block 2, pins 2 & 3 for this
> > connection. The default is a jumper between pins 1 & 2 for
shared
> > power. Check the documentation before making the connection
based on
> >
> > what I recall!
> > Another thing to watch out for with this board: When
disconnecting
> >
> > power, remove the + voltage source before the Ground. I appear
to
> > have fried one board by removing the Ground first. (Need to make
> > inquiries about repair/replacement on that one..)
> >
> > --- In basicx@y..., Dan Schueler <dans@o...> wrote:
> > > Hi all,
> > > is there another forum for support of the servo 8 board?
> > > if not ... the board I got will only stay connected to the pc
for
> > a couple of seconds
> > > before shutting itself off. That is, I start the program, try
to
> > drag the slider one way
> > > or the other from center, and the thing seems to stall. The
led
> > goes red (on the screen)
> > > and the motor twitches, then goes back to center. I can turn
the
> > port back on, and
> > > drag the slider very slowly to one side or other and it will
step.
> >
> > Go very fast that the
> > > motor twitches, port goes off. Are the motors real picky about
how
> >
> > fast you move them?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > =====
> Tony Brenke
> North Tacoma, WA
>
> __________________________________________________


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Real-world software for real-time control. Details Here!


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I've forgotten! Relays... - ffolkes - May 22 22:15:00 2001

Hello-

I just can't remember this... What is needed for the BX-24 to trigger a
(9V) relay? I vaguely remember some sort of diode arrangement to prevent
any current from going back into the BX-24 after the relay is de-energized,
but wouldn't the transistor absorb this? Have I gone crazy, or am I
correct? Thanks :)

TM

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Real-world software for real-time control. Details Here!


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Re: Re: serial servo board - Tony Brenke - May 23 2:47:00 2001

Const Header As Byte = 62 ' = ">"
Const CmdPutPosition As Byte = 97 ' = "a"
Const CmdGetTorque As Byte = 116 ' = "t"
Const TestLimit As Integer = 20
Const EndOfcommand As Byte = 13 ' = <CR>

Dim Success As Boolean
'-------------------------------------------------------------
Public Sub Movet8(ByVal num As Byte, ByVal Value As Byte)
Call ClearBuffer
Call PutByte(62)
Call PutByte(48 + 1)
Call PutByte(48 + num)
Call PutByte(CmdPutPosition)
Call PutByte(Value)
Call PutByte(13)
Call LookForEndOfCommand(Success)
End Sub

'------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Function GetT8(ByVal num As Byte) As Byte
Dim Value As Byte
Call locktask
Call Putstr(Chr(62) & "1" & CStr(num) & "g" & Chr(13))
Success = False
Do Until Success = True
Call GetByte(Value, Success)
Loop
Call unlocktask
GetT8 = Value
End Function
'------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Function GetT8Torquque(ByVal num As Byte) As Integer
Dim tmp As Integer
Dim tmp2 As Integer
Dim Value As Byte
Call locktask
Call Putstr(Chr(62) & "1" & CStr(num) & "t" & Chr(13))
Success = False
Do Until Success = True
Call GetByte(Value, Success)
Loop
tmp = CInt(Value)
Do Until Success = True
Call GetByte(Value, Success)
Loop
tmp2 = CInt(Value)
tmp2 = tmp2 + 255
tmp = tmp + tmp2
Call unlocktask
GetT8Torquque = tmp
End Function
'-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Sub ClearBuffer()

Dim Value As Byte
Dim Success As Boolean

Do
Call GetByte(Value, Success)
If (Not Success) Then
Exit Sub
End If
Loop

End Sub
'---------------------------------------------------------------

Private Sub WaitForByte( _
ByRef Value As Byte, _
ByRef Success As Boolean)

Dim i As Integer
Dim Scc As Boolean

For i = 1 To TestLimit
Call GetByte(Value, Scc)
If (Scc) Then
Success = True
Exit Sub
End If
Call Sleep(0.01)
Next

Success = False

End Sub
'---------------------------------------------------------------

Private Sub LookForEndOfCommand( _
ByRef Success As Boolean)

Dim Scc As Boolean
Dim Value As Byte

Call WaitForByte(Value, Scc)

If (Scc) And (Value = EndOfcommand) Then
Success = True
Else
Success = False
End If

End Sub

Public Sub setwide()
Dim servo As Byte
For servo = 1 To 8
Call PutByte(62)
Call PutByte(48 + 1)
Call PutByte(48 + servo)
Call PutByte(119) 'wide
Call PutByte(49) 'extended
Call PutByte(13)
Call LookForEndOfCommand(Success)
Next
End Sub =====
Tony Brenke
North Tacoma, WA

__________________________________________________



______________________________
controlSUITE™ software. Comprehensive. Intuitive. Optimized.
Real-world software for real-time control. Details Here!


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Re: serial servo board - Author Unknown - Jun 5 16:32:00 2001

Tony
I have the same problem as Dan. I tried shared power and separate
power with the same problems. I use 9600 as baud rate.

I tried support from Netmedia without success. Here is the
e-mail that I sent to Chris Harriman and Joe Wittmann in 05/21/2001.

Can you help me ?
Filippo Pardini
____________________________________________

Chris,

My wiring for separate power is correct but I think that
the problem is not with the power supply (I was using a 12V 7Ah for
the
CPU and NR-4RB 4,8 VDC 1Ah power pack Futaba for the 3 servos. I use
this
pack to power the 4 servos of my model airplane and I fly something as
1.5 hour).
Now I am using shared power option ( 6V 4.0AH Sealed battery ) and
the result
is the same (some moves on the slide turn off the power indicator).

I noticed something strange:

1. I use 3 servos in the 1,2 and 3 servo control outputs.

2. When I apply power to the board the red led of the board lights
and the three servos go to the center position. This is OK.

3. When I open the servoGUI, the port is on but the module address
is blank. Then when I set the module address, the port goes off.
Then I set the port on.

4. Sometimes, when I select a servo ( even those that do not exist)
the red led on the board goes off although the port is on and the
control works.

It seems to me that is something wrong with the board.

Can you help me?

Filippo
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Harriman [mailto:]
Sent: quinta-feira, 19 de abril de 2001 16:27
To: '
Subject: RE: Servo 8 Torque Board
Filippo, When powering separately remove the jumper from J2. Logic
Power + is pin 2 and logic - is pin 3.

Your problems may be caused by lack of current, try a bigger power
Supply.

Regards, Chris
I would still like to hear from you.

Filippo Pardini -----Original Message-----
From: Filippo Pardini
[mailto:]
Sent: terça-feira, 10 de abril de 2001 22:38
To: NetMedia
Subject: Servo 8 Torque Board Dear sirs,

I have a Servo 8 Torque Board and I have some
problems:

I use separate power for CPU and servos (Futaba
S3003)
CPU 12 VDC; servos 4,8 VDC (power pack Futaba
NR-4RB),
wired as by table at page 4.

1. Which one is true:
Jump setting for J2 as in table at page 4 or jump
setting
for J2 as stated in question 7 of FAQ.

2. In some cases, when acting on the slide rule on
the servo
setup of the servoGUI, the port goes off.

What is wrong ?

I welcome your help.

Many thanks

Filippo Pardini


______________________________
controlSUITE™ software. Comprehensive. Intuitive. Optimized.
Real-world software for real-time control. Details Here!


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Re: Re: serial servo board - Tony Brenke - Jun 6 13:28:00 2001

most of the problem I have found with the GUI and not the board.
if you run VB6 you can corect the dropouts in the gui they send you.

it comes with the source.

also a 4ah batt in the lead acid var will work to power servos.
and a Nicad will too.

I have found that with a 1amp supply (12v in 5v 1a output switcher)
that you can run 3 servos with no problem. the 4th servo jumps the
total to over 1a.

this was with very small sub micro servos with all of them changeing
direction (highest load).

you might test to see what your servos are pulling for power. --- wrote:
> Tony
> I have the same problem as Dan. I tried shared power and separate
> power with the same problems. I use 9600 as baud rate.
>
> I tried support from Netmedia without success. Here is the
> e-mail that I sent to Chris Harriman and Joe Wittmann in 05/21/2001.
>
> Can you help me ?
> Filippo Pardini
> ____________________________________________
>
> Chris,
>
> My wiring for separate power is correct but I think that
> the problem is not with the power supply (I was using a 12V 7Ah for
> the
> CPU and NR-4RB 4,8 VDC 1Ah power pack Futaba for the 3 servos. I use
> this
> pack to power the 4 servos of my model airplane and I fly something
> as
> 1.5 hour).
> Now I am using shared power option ( 6V 4.0AH Sealed battery ) and
> the result
> is the same (some moves on the slide turn off the power indicator).
>
> I noticed something strange:
>
> 1. I use 3 servos in the 1,2 and 3 servo control outputs.
>
> 2. When I apply power to the board the red led of the board lights
> and the three servos go to the center position. This is OK.
>
> 3. When I open the servoGUI, the port is on but the module address
> is blank. Then when I set the module address, the port goes off.
> Then I set the port on.
>
> 4. Sometimes, when I select a servo ( even those that do not exist)
> the red led on the board goes off although the port is on and the
> control works.
>
> It seems to me that is something wrong with the board.
>
> Can you help me?
>
> Filippo >
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chris Harriman [mailto:]
> Sent: quinta-feira, 19 de abril de 2001 16:27
> To: '
> Subject: RE: Servo 8 Torque Board >
> Filippo, > When powering separately remove the jumper from J2. Logic
> Power + is pin 2 and logic - is pin 3.
>
> Your problems may be caused by lack of current, try a bigger power
> Supply.
>
> Regards, > Chris >
> I would still like to hear from you.
>
> Filippo Pardini > -----Original Message-----
> From: Filippo Pardini
> [mailto:]
> Sent: terça-feira, 10 de abril de 2001 22:38
> To: NetMedia
> Subject: Servo 8 Torque Board > Dear sirs,
>
> I have a Servo 8 Torque Board and I have some
> problems:
>
> I use separate power for CPU and servos (Futaba
> S3003)
> CPU 12 VDC; servos 4,8 VDC (power pack Futaba
> NR-4RB),
> wired as by table at page 4.
>
> 1. Which one is true:
> Jump setting for J2 as in table at page 4 or jump
> setting
> for J2 as stated in question 7 of FAQ.
>
> 2. In some cases, when acting on the slide rule on
> the servo
> setup of the servoGUI, the port goes off.
>
> What is wrong ?
>
> I welcome your help.
>
> Many thanks
>
> Filippo Pardini >
>
>

=====
Tony Brenke
North Tacoma, WA

__________________________________________________



______________________________
controlSUITE™ software. Comprehensive. Intuitive. Optimized.
Real-world software for real-time control. Details Here!


(You need to be a member of basicx -- send a blank email to basicx-subscribe@yahoogroups.com )