Starting Out

Lynxmotion Electronics & Software
1

Can anyone tell me the best parts and/or kit(s) to start out, with servo and motor control. I have the Atom Bot Board with the Playstation 2 controler set up, but that is all. :open_mouth: Please include the website or a website all about robotics.

2

In my opinion, you are already at a great site for information about robot kits with quality robot kits. I can’t really say exactly what kit you should use first, but perhaps a quadropod with multiple legs because they are more stable than biped robots. It’s up to you.

I am starting out my self, and I learned about programming the Basic Stamp using Parallax’s what’s a micro controller book with the controller board. I plan to buy the Mini-AB board because of it’s smaller size and features, and I also want to dive straight in to the biped arena since this is my main interest.

Are you going to use the Basic Stamp?

3

Yes, I received my new basic stamp 2 today. I would have gotten the basic atom, but they are sold out for a long time. I have read the manual for the atom board (I had nothing else to do) and I found some interesting uses. I think I will start with the Pololu.com robot chassis and motor controller combo, to start out (I have a low budget). Thanks!

4

I don’t want to fry the atom board, so what power supply should I have?

Will a 9 volt work for most procedures?

5

I don’t have the atom board yet so I’m not sure about the power supply voltage. What does the documentation say?

6

The booklet says to use a 7.2 V rechagable battery, but it uses it with the hexpod and arm setups. I figure that there needs to be a different voltage because there are more “things” running. Today I got to build the robot chassis. It gives a good "hands-on experience to putting together a robot. I am too cautious to use the atom board yet, but the robot will be neat, once completed (with the wireless ps2 controller).

7

If I am not mistaken, the Atom board has a built in voltage regulator so 7.2 volts will still be safe for the Atom28 regardless of how few devices you are driving.

8

9 volts is fine for the bot board and the board has a voltage regulator to supply 5v to the stamp/atom chip. I use a 9v battery clip wired to the logic power posts and 9v battery to power my botboard with no problems.

For the servo power, though, 9v will be too much – that is why the docs show using a 7.2v rechargable battery as it will power both the servos and the board/chip.

Using the jumper on the bot board you can also separate the logic and servo power running through the bot board and power the board/chip with 9v and the servos with 7.2.

9

Thats the way to do it, split it up. Like you said 9v for the stamp/board and 7.2 for the servos.

10

Thanks, that will really help me. :smiley:

11

Because the Basic Atom is now in stock, is it better to use the Basic Atom or the Basic stamp 2 for the bot board? I have had a little experience with the BS2, but never any with the Basic Atom. Also, which works better with the PS2 controller option?

12

I thought you said that you have built a bot project already in one of your other post. If so what module did you use on that one?

13

I used the BS2. I consider one use as a little experience. I like to do it more than one time. “Try and try again.”

14

Sorry we were out of stock when you wanted an Atom. We’ve got them in stock again. :slight_smile:

I also agree with the split voltage solutions. You can run on a single 7.2 v supply but with split power you have less noise going over to the microcontroller from the servos.

Nathan

15

This is a dumb question, but where could I find material to program the basic atom?

16

If you check out the information section of the lynxmotion site, you’ll find a link to the manual.

17

Thanks.
Also, I have found the system to hook up a BS2 to the internet. Could this be possible with the basic atom. I have always wanted to control my robot through the internet.

18

You can buy the book from Basic Micro that discusses Mbasic from the basics to advanced topics. I don’t not have the book, but I’ve been told that it has stuff with pic micros that you can skip over, and that it has a lot of Basic Atom material in it as well.

19

The PINK internet system from parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=30013 is new and I doubt the book will say anything on it. I already have a couple of books, but none on internet control.

20

I read through the datasheet on the PINK and there is no reason I can see you couldn’t use it with any microcontroller that can send/receive serial data(including the Atom/Atompro).

Nathan