Hi all,
I’ve got a Sabertooth 2x12 I’d like to control at the same time as a AL5D arm. The arm’s connected to the SSC-32U which will have XBee on board for receiving commands. It doesn’t seem to be possible to connect these two directly as the SSC-32U outputs PWM and the Sabertooth wants serial bytes.
So I’m looking for tips/ideas to hook these two together so that all commands can be routed through a single device.
I was thinking of using an Arduino UNO to be the receiver, but I don’t think it’s possible to receive commands to a bluetooth module on the Arduino and also send out commands to both the SSC-32U and the Sabretooth. Another thought is to connect the Arduino to some of the servo headers on the SSC-32U and read the PWMs, use those PWMs to serial communicate with the Sabretooth.
Thoughts/recommendations?
Hi sean_mann,
The Sabertooth 2x12 can handle PWM R/C but you have to set the dip-switches in the right mode. (wizard)
Once set in the right mode, you will be able to control it through the SSC-32U. Make sure to remove the “Positive” center wire from the Sabertooth to the SSC-32U as it will try to supply 5V to the servo row and it can only handle low current.
Cool, thanks Eric.
Follow up questions:
The 2x12 R/C can you tell me what each of the wires are on the input channels?
There’s no documentation and I’m just being cautious before I start wiring.
I do imagine that red is the 5v that you’re mentioning, brown’s maybe the ground, and orange is the signal?
Finally: The SSC-32U typically only outputs 500-2500 PWM (at least that’s what works for the AL5D arm and sequencer and all that). What values drive the motors on the SabreTooth? One channel seems to be turning, the other is drive, but there’s no mention (that I can find) of valid PWM values.
Thanks!!
There are 2 versions of the 2x12 the RC and Standard and you have the RC which is even easier to setup.
The 5V is indeed the RED wire in the 3 wire cables.
You can pry the little tab on the connector side and remove the wire entirecly, taping it to avoid any shorts. (picture attached)
Black - 0V / Gnd
Red - 5V output from the Sabertooth to power a R/C receiver at most (<1A)
Orange - PWM signal input
For the dip-switches the wizard will not work, it was for the 2x12 standard version. Attached is the dip-switch options for the 2x12 RC.
A signal of 1500 should be centered and anything above will move a direction and bellow another.
Perfect. Thank you, you’ve saved me a bit of time experimenting!