First of all, I apologize if this has been covered somewhere else, I’d like to think i did an extensive search.
I’ve put together a phoenix from the full kit (SSC-32, Bot Board II, Hitek HS-485HB and 645MG servos, and a wireless PS2 controller) and followed the tutorial to a ‘T’. I’d like to post some pics of my wiring, but don’t have access to a camera right now. I’ve downloaded and installed the latest firmware for the SSC-32, and Xan’s latest code (2.0) to the Stamp on the Bot Board II.
The trouble I’m having is that when I run the program, the bot snaps to attention, and starts walking smoothly; however, after about one step, it starts moving jerkily, the servos lose their strength and one leg stops moving altogether. If i stop the bot, all the legs come back to ready position one at a time, even the dead one, but it won’t walk smoothly again after that. Does anyone have any experience with a problem like this?
I think it makes sense that it’s a communication problem or a power problem. I’ve got a wired PS2 controller in the mail and all the batteries I’m using are fully charged, but I figured I’d drop a line into the forum as well just to see if this thing happens.
I just put my meter on it, and it’s giving out the full 6V, this is only attached to VS1 on the SSC-32. I also have a 9V battery (the usual Duracell type) connected to VL on the SSC-32 and VL on the bot board 2.
Hmmm… Just noticed a jumper on the SSC-32 in between VS1 and VL that says “VL=VS1”, which is clearly not the case! I had it in, but it’s out in the tutorial pictures, I’ll test this and see if that’s what it is.
Yup, that’s what it was! Should have taken a better look at the power jumpers, but I guess I’d pigeon-holed myself into thinking it was a communications problem. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!
Quite clearly a case of “wandering jumpers”. I hate when they do that.
When is Lynxmotion going to stop including these demon-possessed locomotive jumpers in the kits? It’s an outrage.
