How far Radioshack has fallen… hangs head in shame You used to be able to actually get stuff there… When I went today looking for a power connector, they didn’t even know what a barrel plug was, let alone have one.
sighs
So, I lack the appropriate power control on the robot at the moment, and lack the cash to afford it until a few weeks from now. And I was thinking last night, “if my computer is on anyway while I play with Seq, is there any way I can just have the computer’s 5V line power the servos and the 12V line power the one switching BEC I have now for the logic?”
So, at 11:30 at night (because all my best inspiration comes as I toss in bed trying to wear out all the caffeine taken in during the day…), I logged into Newegg to see which power supply I got for my computer. Sure enough, its beefy (750W) with a 30A 5V rail, and a 60A 12V rail. Thats plenty of power for the servos! I also have some 18awg speaker wire around. So, I figure I will just scrounge around the hobby boxes for some deans connectors, and solder those to the speaker wire, and run it into the computer. I think that should solve the power problem initially, and give me unlimited tethered play time for sequencing, at least until I can get enough regulators to use battery power.
Of course, my next hurdle… I have no free desk or carpet space to play in! That one might take some actual work to solve
It’s really sad how RS has totally sold out to the pure entertainment and consumer industries. I think they’ve completely forgotten their roots and who helped them get big like they are now.
I’m fortunate to have Novac Electronics not far from where I live. They are now what Radio Shack started out as and have a good inventory of parts and can usually get me what I need if they don’t have it. I like being able to go into a local electronics store and just browse and harass the staff.
I am still looking for an appropriate 0.1" spaced connector to use for power on my Hammer Carrier Board. I need to make it dual power - battery or wall wart. I’d like to use a two or four terminal block like what is used on the Sabertooth 2x5.
I don’t drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages, and I still have to take something to help get me to sleep at night. Otherwise I would just toss and turn, and lay there getting more ideas.
I just bought five 3.3V and five 5V regulators at Norvac. Need some? I think I have plenty for awhile.
Same here! I have a whole utility table dedicated to my electronics and robotics and it still isn’t enough room. I want to get a larger anti-static mat too.
Yes they have! And because of that, they keep falling further behind and closing stores. (You can’t be Best Buy ‘Lite’ and compete!)
I hate you I have nothing close, so its try to pare down the Digikey order to the point where I can afford it.
Is this something you are designing? If so I would love to see it when its done! What about asking MikeD for the part number he used on the SSC and BB? those were .1".
Nah, I need 3S to 6V switchers
What do you use an antistatic mat for again? (Can you tell I do my stuff ESD non-safe!)
http://www.siennahanon.com/Robotics/tripod_3.jpg
The new crib! I bought a cheap folding table at walmart. A microphone stand holds the wires suspended above the table, and the computer under the table of course.
I am having trouble with getting the servos to launch the robot off its feet, so it doesn’t drag the leg. Although, I think the problem more is on my interaction with SEQ, as I am still learning it. (There has been some unintentional launching of the robot so far though :8)
It looks cool. Might try to keep the feet under the bots COG. Get into the region of falling and controlling the fall. Think maybe much shorter but faster leg movements. Anyway it looks fun.
Yes, it is all SEQ FK right now. It did take a little time (maybe five hours or so) to make the gait. The hardest part was finding the right angle for the hip servos so that kicking off didn’t fall back immediately nor fall forward (poor thing did both many times ) Once that was done though, it progressed rapidly.
(And we won’t mention my deletion of my first few hours of work because of stupid human error…)
I made an almost exact duplicate of that robot two years ago, intending to call it an April Fools project, but I never got around to uploading it. Very well done!
I have a whole utility table dedicated to my electronics and robotics and it still isn’t enough room. I want to get a larger anti-static mat too.