I guess this topic would fit into two categories motor and micro-controller
I’m having problems figuring out how to program my arduino to run my motor controller.
What I’m working on is making a full scale Dalek from the TV show Doctor Who, my intent is to be able to drive it around tank style using an xbox 360 controller. I’m also planning to add a motor and a servo later to the head to control the eye stalk movement and head rotation later on.
At this moment I have two wheelchair motors connected to a Sabertooth 32a motor controller with an Arduino uno attached with an additional usb shield and a xbox receiver.
I’ve tried mixing the examples but that’s not working right either.
Hey,
That’s a great project idea!
To get started, we’d recommend that you start simple and try and make example for each work independently. Once that works, you can take one and add the other to it part by part until it works together!
Concerning the Sabertooth 2x32, the simplest way to control would be to place it in mixed mod RC-style. Then, from the Arduino, you can simply send the control signals required using the Arduino Servo library. This is what we do for our rover kit (example here). Also, if the Arduino is powered by something other than the Sabertooth’s BEC (USB, DC power jack, etc), make sure not to connect the 5V from the Sabertooth to the Arduino’s, else you may accidentally Exterminate! the BEC on the Sabertooth! 
For the USB host shield, it should most likely have example XBox 360 such as this.
Therefore, try and get the Sabertooth control working first. If that is causing issues, post again here with some pictures of your setup (clearly show power connections and DIP switch) and let us know how you intend to control it (RC signal, serial, etc.) and we will see what might be the issue.
You can attach pictures to your post in Full editor mode (see attached image for details).
Sincerely,
