Well, the timing issues are resolved to some extent. I was able to control direction and right or left wheel decisions. Unfortunately, it seems I now have a power issue.
I have a 9-volt battery powering the processor, so if the motors drag the battery pack down too much, the processor won't attempt a restart. I experienced that with a Basic Stamp and someone else (I wish I could remember who) told me what the problem was. Processors get their own battery from now on.
The problem that I have experienced is that the 9-volt battery pack, powered by six 1.5 volt AA cells, is a little weak to power two motors at the same time. This design calls for four motors to run simultaneously. I don't have the power for that.
I have a 12-volt gel-cell that I think would do the job, except it would over-power the servo motors. I may try a battery for an R/C race car and see if it delivers better power. The gel-cell is pretty heavy for this chassis and motor torque. In addition, I will build a bus for the power in an attempt to keep a larger-diameter conductor in the power circuit.
More news as it happens. In a future post, I will also talk about modifying the VEX Tumbler design.
About Your Host
- Bruce
- Dallas, Texas, United States
- I was the IT Director of an active, established nonprofit in Dallas, Texas. My experience includes almost 9 years in that particular position, a couple of decades managing a variety of enterprise grade platforms, applications and IT to telecom integration projects for a billion-dollar international telecommunications gear manufacturer before venturing into the nonprofit sector. I am here to serve and share.
