What power source does the Hagisonic StarGazer use? I noticed in the product description that it comes with a
“Power Adapter 100-240VAC.” Does this mean one can plug the StarGazer into a wall outlet to charge its battery?Surely, the StarGazer allows a robot to travel untethered? Is the unit required to be connected to a cable which is plugged into a wall outlet? My basic question is this: can the StarGazer run on a power pack on the robot–a power pack that allows it to move around freely, not connected to any wires?
Carlos,
Does Robotshop sell a 12V battery pack to power the StarGazer?
Do you sell a 2mm barrel connector? I searched for it on your site, but am not sure I found the right part. Or, alternatively, do you sell the appropriate JST connector and cables to use with a battery?
Thanks for the info so far, but I’m still a little confused about the purpose of the wall adapter. Would the wall adapter only be used to power the StarGazer when it is immobile, when I’m testing it? When the wall adapter is plugged into a wall outlet, I assume the robot would be tethered to the adapter, and thus immobile? Once a 12V battery pack is used, the StarGazer would be free to wander around the room–untethered? Is this all correct?
Thanks for the information. Another question: does the StarGazer use Microsoft Visual C++ for programming? When I clicked on a link at the Hagisonic website, I was directed into Visual C++ (which I had previously installed on my computer). My Romeo motor controller (which I now use on my DF 4WD robot) uses the Arduino language (I’m not sure if it’s exactly C++ or not). Would I use both languages (Visual C++ and Ardiuno “C++”) when I install the StarGazer and a motor controller on a new robot, or would I use one language and not the other? Please clue in the clueless. Thanks, Dexter.
Would all these 3 components work together? --> The Hagisonic StarGazer (Product code: RB-Hag-06), the Devantech RD02 12 Volt Robot Drive System (Product Code: RB-Dev-19), and the Arduino Uno USB Microcontroller Rev 3 (Product code:RB-Ard-34)? I want to build a robot from scratch, using the Hagisonic StarGazer, and want to make sure the drive system and microcontroller will all be compatible with the StarGazer. Would each of the 3 components need to have their own independent battery pack?
Right now, I think I will buy just the Arduino Uno USB Microcontroller Rev 3 (Product code : RB-Ard-34), the Devantech RD02 -12 Volt Robot Drive System (Product code : RB-Dev-19), and this battery pack: Lynxmotion 12.0 Volt Ni-MH 2800mAh Battery Pack (Product code : RB-Lyn-343). Will this battery pack connect to this microcontroller and to this drive system right out of the box, or will I need to rewire the connectors?
Also, will this charger–
lynxmotion.com/p-602-60-12vdc-ni-cd-ni-mh-universal-smart-charger.aspx (Lynsmotion 6.0 - 12vdc Ni-CD & Ni-MH Universal Smart Charger) charge this battery pack?
I bought this battery pack: BAT-06 12.0V / 2800mAh Ni-MH Battery Pack
Product Code : RB-Hpr-06
How long should I charge it, using this charger?: 8.4V-12V NiMh Charger w/ Tamiya Connector
Product Code : RB-Ten-03
I haven’t used the battery pack for 1-1/2 years, so it is probably fully discharged.
Thanks,
Dexter
Unless you have properly discharged the battery pack fully before storing it, it’s probably not good anymore.
NiMh batteries have a bad behavior of keeping memory and it might be your problem now.
A 2800mAh battery charged with a 0.4A should take about 7h to charge in normal conditions.
I’m looking for a way to connect the Stargazer to a battery. In a previous post CBenson said, on 2012-08-02: “Unfortunately 2mm is not standard here (we only offer 2.1mm and 2.5mm). You should be able to find a 2mm connector and.or the appropriate JST connector on Digikey. Note that the unit includes a wall adapter with the barrel connector, so if you really want to connect the stargazer to a battery, you can always cut the connector off the power supply (add a normal male/female connector to either end to be able to reuse it later).” Unless you now sell a 2mm connector, I think I will do what you suggest, i.e., cut the 2mm connector off the power supply, and hook it up to a 12 Volt battery. I would like to keep the 2mm power supply, that I have now, connected to the charging unit, though, so I’m looking for a spare.
Could I buy a power supply (wall charging unit) from you–one that has a 2mm connector? Does this power supply robotshop.com/en/phidgets-power-supply-12vdc-2a-us.html use a 2mm connector? Would you have any extra power supplies from Stargazers (with 2mm connectors) that I could buy?
Hi Dexter,
Our catalog of products does not include 2 mm barrel connectors or power supplies with 2 mm barrel connectors.
The RB-Phi-63 is also a 2.1 mm connector.
You can find all of our JST compatible wires and connectors here.
Sincerely,
I would like to charge a 12.0 Volt Ni-MH 2800mAh Battery Pack for 7 hours, and would like to be home while it is charging. Do I need to charge it in one unbroken 7-hour period, or can I do it piecemeal, between going out for errands? Does the first charging session have to be an uninterrupted block of time, and then subsequent chargings can be done in pieces?
Hi,
Partial charging for NiMH battery packs is not recommended. It is recommend to use NiMH until fully empty (~ 1.0 V/cell) and then proceed to fully charge them (before use). For long storage, you should drain them of charge first.
That being said, a typical “low current” charging for this battery should take under 3 hours, such as when using the RB-Ten-02.
Sincerely,
You would first need an adapter like:
Terminal to 2.1mm Barrel Jack
Lynxmotion WH-01 Wiring Harness with Battery Connector
or
2.5 x 5.5mm Male DC Power Plug to Male Tamiya Adapter
12V battery:
Lynxmotion 12.0 Volt Ni-MH 2800mAh Battery Pack
Lynxmotion 12v 1600 mAH NiMH Rechargeable Battery BAT-01
We have contacted the manufacturer to see if the product uses a 2.1mm or 2.5mm jack and will get back to you as soon as we receive a reply.
The manufacturer indicates the product uses a 2mm barrel connector. The alternative way to power the unit using a battery would be to get the appropriate JST connector and cables.
Unfortunately 2mm is not standard here (we only offer 2.1mm and 2.5mm). You should be able to find a 2mm connector and.or the appropriate JST connector on Digikey. Note that the unit includes a wall adapter with the barrel connector, so if you really want to connect the stargazer to a battery, you can always cut the connector off the power supply (add a normal male/female connector to either end to be able to reuse it later).
We agree that it does seem odd that the manufacturer would provide a wall adapter when the product is really meant to be used on a mobile robot. You can use the adapter for testing and the manufacturer suggests purchasing the proper connector separately for when it’s used on a mobile robot. You can certainly provide the correct voltage from a battery pack and the unit will work on a mobile robot (untethered).
If you are using a ROMEO, you don’t really need to care about the language the Stargazer was programmed in, since the ROMEO will simply be reading the output. Refer to section 6, starting on page 5 of the user guide.
You can initially connect the Stargazer to your computer and communicate with the module via Hyperterminal. Take note that the TTL voltage is 3.3V rather than 5V. There are some downloads available if you want to test the unit, but you will need to write code for the ROMEO.
Hagisonic: 12V DC, 70mA
Arduino: 9-12V DC, 500mA
RD02: 12V, 2800mA
You could use a 12V DC battery of 2800mAh or more to power the system. The Stargazer uses serial (Tx and Rx lines on the Arduino) and the RD02 uses I2C. You can therefore use all three together off one battery.
You’ll need the WH-01 wiring harness. To connect to the Arduino, use the terminal to 2.1mm barrel jack. That charger is made for that battery pack, and you can also use this one.