I just discovered that the receiver for my wireless ps2 controller (possible v2) doesn’t have a level shifter. The problem is that I need to have the robot up and working within 5 days or so and the shipping for the level shifter won’t be fast enough. Is there any way I could bypass the level shifter, make my own, or anything else?
Or what if I was to go to a local store (walmart, etc.) and buy another ps2 controller (wired or wireless). Could I control my al5d with a non-lynxmotion ps2 controller? Would a wired ps2 controller be compatible to use with this arm, and how would I do it.
I am using a botboarduino to control my al5d but I also have a ssc-32u and an arduino at my disposal if that makes a difference.
This is the tutorial that I was using:
lynxmotion.com/images/html/build091b.htm
I’m not 100% sure the level shifter is the problem, however. The bottom line is I need to get this thing working in very little time. Any help is greatly appreciated!
Hi,
Please provide one or more pictures of your setup, making sure to clearly show all components (PS2 receiver/adapter, power cables, servo connections, jumpers, etc.).
Add any other details about your setup.
If you purchased a [RB-Lyn-899], then it does come with all the components required to connect to a BotBoarduino. Could you please provide us with the product code [RB-xxx-nnn] of the controller you did purchase? If you do have a RB-Lyn-899, what is the issue with the adapter and PS2 receiver?
Sincerely,
P.-S.: You can attach images to your reply by going into Full editor mode. See the attached image for details.
I do not have the V4 controller. The one that I have is the Lynxmotion V2 PS2 controller (it is wireless). It does not seem to have a level shifter (only has the black receiver portion). Is the level shifter absolutely required to make this version work with my AL5D?
Okay, so I also have a lynxmotion wireless PS2 V3 controller and its corresponding receiver. This one seems to work but it is having major glitches. It seems to work for a short amount of time and then it disconnects. It repeatedly connects and disconnects. Sometimes it is able to reconnect, other times it is not. Shortly after my controller and receiver connect, they disconnect. Whenever I try to move the joysticks to control the arm, the controller disconnects. Sometimes it reconnects only to disconnect once again. When this happened I was using a 6V wall power adapter to power the board and robot arm. This power adapter came with the AL5D kit. What can I do to stop it from repeatedly disconnecting?
I am using only a botboarduino with my AL5D robot arm.
The tutorial that I am using is found here.
lynxmotion.com/images/html/build091b.htm
I am using the exact code and circuit layout as provided there.
Hi,
It is recommended to use the level shifter adapter with the V1/V2 Lynxmotion PS2 controllers as they use a voltage higher than 5 V DC that may affect negatively your microcontroller board in some cases.
For the V3, it may work OK without it. The V4 adapter is simply a wiring board with no active level shifting as this receiver is specifically working at 5 V DC and no longer requires level shifting.
You mention your controller keeps disconnecting. Do you mean the “link” LED on the receiver keeps blinking? If that is the case, then your controller may need new, fresh batteries as your current batteries may be too old / low on power.
If all the batteries inside the controller are new, then you may have one of two problems:
- There is interference to the wireless signal of the controller//receiver.
- The BotBoarduino itself is restarting / browning out due to a voltage issue. This is possible if it is miswired.
Since we have no easy way of testing for #1, we recommend that you post pictures of your physical setup. As mentioned previously, make sure to show all components (BotBoarduino, receiver, wiring, power, servos, jumpers, etc.).
Also, please note that in the tutorial you linked to, the jumper settings are very different (and correct) than the image in your last post (which have wrong jumpers).
Please check the image from the tutorial again (available here, also see annotated version below) and confirm that you have all your jumpers set the same.
Points to check:
#1 :: Must be set to “Ext” for external power source
#2 :: Must be removed. If it is in place, the 9 V DC and 6 V DC will be connected, which is not good.
#3 :: Must be set to VS. This will use the 6 V DC power source for the servomotors. If it is left to 5V, it will use the internal regulator, which cannot provide enough power for the servomotors. If it is used with the jumper in 5V position, it will most likely cause brownouts (resets due to lack of power) to the BotBoarduino.
#4 :: Same as #3
#5 :: Make sure to follow these connections.
Sincerely,
