Well I am going to get the SSC-32U this Friday. The SSC-32 in the picture is the one I fried. Would the calibration be the same since I am getting a new SSC-32U? Have you looked at the files I sent with one in the BASIC code and the other in C? I wanted to see if the values that I inserted from the BASIC to the C code. Did only the Min/Max values need to be changed, the body dimensions, or the start positions feet values?
Also if replacing the values of the body dimensions donât work, what would be the next best option regarding the code?
The board you fried is the BotBoarduino, probably not the SSC-32.
But you can change both if you want to be sure.
I was not going to compare the files, itâs really time intensive and right now Iâm not able to do that.
The Min/Max values and any other values that configure the body and configuration would have to be transfered.
I might take some time to look at this later by picking up the T-Hex but donât wait on me.
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Alright then. Thank you for the advice! No worries if you donât pick up the T-Hex as I understand you are busy. Worst case scenario that the transfer of values did not do much in getting the robot up. What else would you recommend either in the code or the physical mechanisms of the robot?
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Hi I was trying to upload the program I have onto Arduino, however, when I tried to look to download the program onto my Botboarduino. All I saw was Arduino Uno and every other version of the arduino board except the Botboarduino?
The BotBoarduino use the Arduino Duemilanove bootloader, you need to select that board.
(Lynxmotion BotBoarduino Manual)
So I just realized while messing with the Arduino that the battery module (the red circuit board) doesnât buck the voltage from the LiPo battery I have despite the number of turns made on the terminal blocks themselves from both left and right to the 5V I desire. Would I need to buy another battery module that works or is there a way to still calibrate the battery module for it to change voltage?
I donât know which module you are referring to, might not be something we are providing with the kit.
We usually suggest NiMh batteries with a 6V direct output to the servos.
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Never mind. I got the buck converter issue solved. When centering the servos, I saw in the middle of the process this " IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have an SSC-32 or SSCU Servo Controller (USB port), contrary to the guide, DO NOT update the firmware." on this link Lynxmotion - SSC-32 Servo Controller. Why is it that the customer does not update the firmware? In attempts to still center the servos I saw on another post T-Hex 4DOF with PS2 that âIf you have a USB to serial cable, you can center the servos without using the BotBoarduino as intermediary.â I plugged the servo controller into the computer with a USB. Where do I go from here?
Apologies, but dialfonzo will be on vacation for the coming weeks, so I can see if I can help. Can you summarize the current issue and where in the guide you are stuck? Note that we do not have any official sample code for the 24DoF T-Hex (only for the 18 DoF T-Hex) which is why we do not offer a complete 24DoF T-Hex kit. Can you confirm if you are using a Bot Board 2 or a BotBoarduino as the main microcontroller?
Mechanical setup: 3DOF / 4DOF Hexapod Assembly Guides
18DoF electronics setup and code: http://www.lynxmotion.com/images/html/build99f.htm
These legged robots are not considered toys and require the customer to read through and understand all associated guides, including that of the SSC-32U and BotBoarduino boards:
http://www.lynxmotion.com/images/html/build185.htm
A common omission is that customers often do not install the PS2 library (if thatâs how they plan to control the robot) in the Arduino IDE.
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The board I have is the Botboarduino V 1.0. Here is the problem. I accidentally fried the circuitboards of the 4 DOF T-HEX. I replaced those said circuitboards and tested every single component to see if they were working by using a servo tester and a multimeter. I doubled checked the wiring and the circuitboards and all of the parts are working as should be. The problem is when I uploaded the software from here https://github.com/Lynxmotion/3DOF-4DOF-Hex into the robot after putting in brand new parts. The robot didnât move. When I pressed the start button on the ps2 controller it did make a sound but thatâs all. I wanted to see before checking the software if calibration may be the problem (however I am beginning to realize that maybe it is not although confirmation is needed). I was on step 1 of the calibration tutorial and got stuck. I wasnât sure to connect the servo controller to the computer via USB while downloading and installing Lynxterm or after it as it seemed unclear in the instructions. A few problems came up, one, when I connected the servo controller to the computer while downloading and installing lynxterm I didnât get any feedback as said in the manual âThe green LED should light and stay on until it receives a valid serial commandâ which I didnât get. All I got from the board physically was no blinking of lights or sounds. The whole time there was no flashing of the PWR LED or the A or B LED meaning the power is on but nothing is received. Second, when I downloaded lynxterm there was one file. I unzipped it by putting it in desktop. I then wasnât sure what to do afterwards as I was left with files. I wasnât sure what files I needed or not needed or what to do with those files at all. Third, from what I said in my second problem that led me to believe that if the servo controller is not communicating with the computer then the problem could possibly mean the servo controller and the Botboarduino was not communicating with each other at all. Is there a way to check the communication between these boards? Third, why am I not supposed to update the firmware? Fourth, I went on the forum to see if there was another way to center the servos to which I found this T-Hex 4DOF with PS2. However, I am confused on what is the step by step instructions to âcenter the servos without using the BotBoarduino as intermediaryâ using a USB to serial cable? Fifth, is there anything hardware related that is affecting the robot from moving besides the communication between the two boards that you could think of or is the main problem the software. If there is a software issue, would there be anybody on this forum that could help me step by step or would I be able to ask the creator of the code as of right now (to which I think may be scharette). Sixth, as shown in one of the pictures with a red circle. I pressed on the link and I go this black screen as shown in the pictures. However, I wasnât able to interface with it.
Going through the reply, we picked out each of your points:
The problem is when I uploaded the software from here https://github.com/Lynxmotion/3DOF-4DOF-Hex into the robot after putting in brand new parts. The robot didnât move.
Seems like the issue below, but also want to confirm the code uploads correctly (ensuring the PS2 library is working).
{First} I wasnât sure what files I needed or not needed or what to do with those files at all
Assuming you have the BotBoarduino (Arduino compatible), you would need the BotBoarduino code (the other two on the page you provided are not at all compatible). Note that the 4DoF is untested.
{Second}, from what I said in my second problem that led me to believe that if the servo controller is not communicating with the computer then the problem could possibly mean the servo controller and the Botboarduino was not communicating with each other at all. Is there a way to check the communication between these boards?
In order to have the SSC-32U communicate with the computer directly, the easiest approach is to disconnect the BotBoarduino completely and set the VL jumper to USB. Note that for the servos to move, VS needs to be powered.
Third, why am I not supposed to update the firmware?
Assuming you purchase the SSC-32U recently, itâs already running the latest firmware.
Fourth, I went on the forum to see if there was another way to center the servos to which I found this T-Hex 4DOF with PS2. However, I am confused on what is the step by step instructions to âcenter the servos without using the BotBoarduino as intermediaryâ using a USB to serial cable?
Itâs easiest to center the servos by connecting the SSC-32U directly to the computer rather than having the BotBoarduino as intermediary.
Fifth, is there anything hardware related that is affecting the robot from moving besides the communication between the two boards that you could think of or is the main problem the software. If there is a software issue, would there be anybody on this forum that could help me step by step or would I be able to ask the creator of the code as of right now (to which I think may be scharette).
Assuming the robot was working and walking correctly before, itâs unlikely that the servos or assembly are wrong.
Sixth, as shown in one of the pictures with a red circle. I pressed on the link and I go this black screen as shown in the pictures. However, I wasnât able to interface with it.
It really sounds like a board configuration issue. To communicate directly with the SSC-32U, disconnect the BotBoarduino (Tx, GND, VL), move the jumper from EXT to USB (so the USB powers the onboard microcontroller), power VS(providing 6V to the servos), then open Lynxterm and connect.
Hello, I am unsure on how I would check if the PS2 library is working. I have been thinking about it but I am confused on how you could find other ways to test the PS2 library since the only way I am thinking is simply if the robot just moves because the PS2 library is in the circuitboard. Regarding installing the IDE and the library, I have just followed the videos that dialfonzo had posted. What kind of information would you like for me to provide for you to diagnose the issue I am having? If I am plugging the SSC-32U to the computer, why would I move the jumper from EXT to USB when that is on the Botboarduino and not the SSC-32U. When I plugged the SSC-32U in, I donât see anything physical happening to the servo controller. When you said " It really sounds like a board configuration issue. To communicate directly with the SSC-32U, disconnect the BotBoarduino (Tx, GND, VL), move the jumper from EXT to USB (so the USB powers the onboard microcontroller), power VS(providing 6V to the servos), then open Lynxterm and connect.â Again I still donât understand why are you moving the jumper from EXT to USB on the BotBoarduino when the servo controller is being connected. What do you mean by âpower VSâ. The only âVSâ I see on the Botboarduino is VS=VL jumper and the screw terminals where is says +VS-. âIn order to have the SSC-32U communicate with the computer directly, the easiest approach is to disconnect the BotBoarduino completely and set the VL jumper to USB. Note that for the servos to move, VS needs to be powered.â When you say âVSâ needs to be powered. Do you mean âVSâ on the servo controller or on the BotBoarduino? If so, âVSâ by itself I only see on the screw terminal blocks. I see âVSâ pins but I donât think that is what you are referring to.
I got this message as well on lynxterm.
Fundamental question - given that the 4DoF robot does not have officially supported sample code (the platform is for developers), and given the issues / questions you are experiencing with the setup (electrical and software), it does not seem like you are in a position to get the robot functional. You may want to consider updating the robot to a 3DoF configuration and following the user guide step by step:
http://www.lynxmotion.com/driver.aspx?Topic=assem04#thex3
Itâs also important to understand the electronics by reading through their user manuals in detail:
http://www.lynxmotion.com/images/html/build185.htm
Regarding installing the IDE and the library, I have just followed the videos that dialfonzo had posted. What kind of information would you like for me to provide for you to diagnose the issue I am having?
It seems based on the screenshot your provided that the PS2 library is installed.
If I am plugging the SSC-32U to the computer, why would I move the jumper from EXT to USB when that is on the Botboarduino and not the SSC-32U.
Apologies if there is any confusion here as it relates to which electronics you have connected. If you have ONLY the SSC-32U connected to the computer, ensure both VL and VS have power.
If you are connecting the BotBoarduino to your computer, and the BotBoarduino is connected to the SSC32U, you need to ensure VL on the BotBoarduino is powered, as well as VL and VS on the SSC-32U.
What do you mean by âpower VSâ. The only âVSâ I see on the Botboarduino is VS=VL jumper and the screw terminals where is says +VS-. âIn order to have the SSC-32U communicate with the computer directly, the easiest approach is to disconnect the BotBoarduino completely and set the VL jumper to USB. Note that for the servos to move, VS needs to be powered.â
When you say âVSâ needs to be powered. Do you mean âVSâ on the servo controller or on the BotBoarduino? If so, âVSâ by itself I only see on the screw terminal blocks. I see âVSâ pins but I donât think that is what you are referring to.
Can you ensure the electronic setup for the BotBoarduino and SSC-32U are identical to the image on page 23 of the guide:
Please note the location of each of the black rectangles which are the jumpers.
If this is OK, then turn the ON/OFF switch to ON and upload the walking code to the BotBoarduino. This bypasses the configurations etc. to just see of the PS2 can move the servos on the robot via the BotBoarduino and SSC-32U.
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