[font=Trebuchet MS][size=2]I have a set of PLTW robotic arms in my engineering classroom with the [highlight=#ffffff]SSC-32 servo controller [/highlight][highlight=#ffffff](serial port)[/highlight][highlight=#ffffff] and have not been able to get them to work. I have tried the drivers and using the 9V battery but they just sit there and do not connect. I was thinking of ditching the dinosaur controllers and upgrading to the newer [/highlight][highlight=#ffffff]SSC-32U servo controller (USB) version for ease of use. Can I just swap out the [/highlight][highlight=#ffffff]SSC-32 board with the [/highlight][highlight=#ffffff]SSC-32U board or is there more that needs to be considered? It seems like it should work, but wanted to make sure.[/highlight][/size][/font]
Hi,
Upgrading to the [RB-Lyn-850] is quite easy since it is a direct replacement for it.
Aside from the obvious advantage of a USB port, it also has other improvements such as:
]Extra circuitry and components to prevent brownouts;
This makes the board much more stable and also removes the need for a 9 V DC battery on VL. You instead only need a power supply connected to VS1 and nothing else power-wise./:m]
]There is now 8 inputs instead of 4;
This may not be needed in your case but it is certainly useful with the newer PLTW software (version 4) which allows for those extra 4 inputs (E/F/G/H) to be used to trigger sequences of your choice./:m]
]The baud rate can be changed by using the BAUD button on the board and the two LED indicate the current baud rate when the button is pressed (see the SSC-32U manual, page 34 for details)./:m]
]There is now a Bee socket that is compatible with most modules with that form factor, such as XBee, ZigBee, Bluetooth Bee, WiFi Bee and LoRa bee and more!
This allows you to have easy wireless control for your SSC-32U (and robot) if you need it or just want to try it out./:m]
Let us know if you have any other questions.
Sincerely,
Thanks, I’m going to try to replace them this coming school year.