There are many possible configurations for the SSC-32 - it’s not possible to predict which one each customer will need.
Yes, they are powered via the VS1 and VS2 terminals (you don’t need VS2 if you don’t have servos connected to that side of the board, and ensure the connections are correct: positive to positive, negative to negative)
Yes, with the black wire on the outside, and the yellow / white wire on the inside of the board.
There is a larger market for random lighting effects, but very few people need random servo motion, so not much development has been done in this regard.
Can someone give me the idiot’s guide to hooking things up for my configuration? A few drawings perhaps would be the best! Here’s the config: A computer running XP. The SSC-32 unit. For now, I’ll just use the 9v battery wire that came with the unit for power. I’ll use a wall wart for powering the servos. 2 servos for now. The freeware for sequencing the servos. I would love a drawing for all the shorts and jumps needed for this exact configuration.
Using my definition of random, is it possible to implement 8-10, or better yet even more, “points”? I want the servo to move to point a, b, c, d, etc., where I specify the points. That’s what I mean by random. Picture a plane rudder. I want to be able to move the “rudder” to a certain position on the right side of the plane and then go to the left side of the plane, then a different position on the right side of the plane, and then the left, on and on. All the positions on the right side of the plane would be different. All the positions on the left side would be different. What I have now makes the rudder keep oscillating between the same position on the right side of the plane and then to the left. It looks artificial. I want a realistic effect.
Can I power the servos at the SSC with my transformer and just raise the pot’s position on the track side of the transformer up until the servos run? Will under powering them break them? Will it do any damage to the unit?
If I use the transformer to power the servos, how do I know which position to put the reversing switch in? If a locomotive runs backwards, I just reverse the wires. I don’t want to damage the unit, so how do I know which way to set the switch after hooking up the wires? After reading the post about the reverse switch, I;'m scared to death to ruin the unit!
Anyone in the Annapolis area who wants to show an old dog a new trick?
Refer to the first image in the guide here: lynxmotion.com/images/html/build136.htm
Only change what is listed below - leave the rest of the board as you received it. #12: Connect the serial line to your computer (directly to a serial port, or using a USB to serial adapter) #6: Connect the red wire from the wall adapter to the + side and the black (negative) wire to the - side* #4: Connect the red wire from the 9V battery wire to the + side, and the black wire to the - side #5: Remove this jumper
*We sell a wiring harness here to make connecting a wall adapter to the screw terminals easy: lynxmotion.com/p-498-wiring- … ector.aspx
If you don’t have this, you can either cut off the connector to the wall adapter you have and screw the bare wires directly to the terminals (no on/off switch unfortunately) or find a matching barrel connector and create your own adapter.
Using the software suggested above, you’d assign the 8-10 positions which the servo would move to. You’d turn on the “play loop” switch to have it run endlessly. You can use the software to do this for anywhere from 1 to 32 servos at the same time. As many points as you want.
Under-powering the servos will not “break” them perse, but they won’t run properly. Providing too much voltage will damage them. We’d suggest measuring the output of the transformer (if you have a multimeter or other way of measuring voltage) and turn the pot until you reach 6V rather than connecting it and not knowing the voltage.
This has the potential to damage / fry the servos and the board. To be safe, you really should use a separate wall adapter until you know a bit more about electronics.
As usual, I am a liar! lol I have another question. If a servo can go to the “random” points, is it possible to vary the speed that it moves to these points also? That would really be the last piece of the puzzle for making my clown look real as she teeter-totters on the highwire! I’ll try to post some video of my efforts so far.
This helps in connecting it to another microcontroller or board. In your case you don’t need it.
It might be ok - each servo has its own tolerance. The normal rating is 4.8V to 6V, so 6.5V is more “grey zone”. There are likely people here who will indicate that it’s fine, whereas for some servos it will reduce their life span or cause them to glitch.
I powered the unit and the servos. The green LED glows. I hooked up the USB to the serial on the unit. I powered up my laptop running XP. I have tried both plugging the unit into the computer before and after booting the laptop. The green LED goes out as soon as the cable is plugged in, or after the boot. The freeware suggested does not recognize a servo or the unit connected as far as I can tell with my limited skills. HELP!!!
For initial servo testing, you may want to use the free lynxterm application. It is useful for initial setup and troubleshooting. Besure to check the unloaded voltage of your wallwart. If it is not regulated the unloaded voltage may be higher than 6.5v. Below is a simple power setup I used to power a 5v board and some pan/tilt servos from a wall wart.
OK, I have 2 servos up and running with the freeware sequencer. It seems to be a situation where I can control up to 32 servos, but all with the same steps and timing? I was hoping I could have servo #1 on 1 sequence with 6 steps and timings, while servo #2 was on a completely different sequence all its own with 12 steps and timings. Is there a way to do that with the SSC-32 and this freeware? Is there a way to do it with any sequencing software?
You can certainly be sending signals to multiple servos (almost) simultaneously. Lynxterm is a very basic program, so it’s best to use the Lynx Servo Sequencer lynxmotion.com/c-15-software.aspx
Maybe I didn’t word my post right. This is the scenario I want to achieve with my 2 servos:
Servo #1 would control a dogs tail wagging. There would be 8 steps in a loop. 1 through 4 would be moving the tail at a certain fast speed from one side of the dogs body to the other. 5 through 8 would be the same positions but at a slower speed.
Servo#2 would control a clown on a highwire. There would be 10 steps. All 10 steps would make the clown teeter totter back and forth at speeds that would vary so that the movement looked like a balancing person rather than cyclic with the hobby motor now.
How would I achieve this with up to 32 servos? Is it possible to have a program or software that would allow me to create these vignettes?
The software controls up to 32 servos, but you certainly don’t need to use all 32 - in your case you would only need two.
You can use the Lynx Simple Sequencer and record macros. Each macro can have two servos working at the same time. For example: #0P1500#1P1500
Referring to the SSC-32 user guide, you can also control time and speed. lynxmotion.com/images/html/b … tm#comtype
Can someone at Lynxmotion call me??? We are not on the same page with this and I don’t know how to explain in writing any further.
Ron
410.627.7485 cell
Yes, you can start with Lynxmterm, and then the Lynx Servo Sequencer. You can use the macro function to assign positions to servo1 and then to servo 2, then combine the macros so they work at the same time.
We understand you want both servos to move to “random” angles; 8 for one servo, and 10 for the other. You specify each position, for example: #0P500#1P1500 #0P750#1P750 #0P1250#1P1300
etc.
If you want it to loop, then the Lynx Servo Sequencer is best. Unfortunately we only take technical questions via the forum or support center.
Would the 8 step macro and the 10 step macro be independent of each other in terms of a clock. In other words, can I have the 8 step sequence move the wagging tail at 1:00, 1:01, 1:02, 1:03, etc. and then speed up, but the clown move at 1:00:65, 1:00:87,1:02, “random” times, without having to redo the orders or timings if I want to change them in just 1 servo? Do I/Can I create a macro for the dog, 1 for the clown, 1 for whatever, etc. and have them all independent of each other as far as steps and timings for adjustment of the parameters?
Using the Lynx servo sequencer, you assign positions to each step, so the delay / speed for each servo would be the same (you could always maintain the position of a servo so it looks like it’s taking longer to move). There is only one “clock” onboard and commands can only be sent one at a time.
Lynxterm is a bit different and allows more control over the timing / speed. For example in one line, you could set the speed, position and timing for each servo, while on the next line you ony set the position and speed for one of the servos (while the other is still in operation). This would give the impression that each servo is behaving on its own and not linked to the same controller.
At this point you may just want to experiment with each of the three software (especially macros).
First get some sequences up that you like. Do the positions change?
After you have the sequences, then you can write a program that runs a pair of interrupts that can generate rates. The two rates that thus be changed. Is it the rates that you want randomly changed? Another interrupt set to a random rate could change the two interrupt rates, or you could change delays in the lists (arrays) of position and delays between steps. Is that what you’re talking about?
I forgot. Which processor/board are you using to run the SSC-32? Interrupts might be a little harder in basic.
