Hi, I built a PS2 arm that is being controlled by the SSC-32 controller, wired to the BOT board with Basic Atom 28 to allow me to use the PS2 controller to operate the arm. The physical construction of the arm is done, and I just need to be able to get the PS2 controller to work. When I load the “establishing connection” program by Laurent Gay, the controller responds great and always comes back to the values of 79, 255, 255, 128, etc. (I am using a LYNX Madcatz controller) However when I run the “l5l6p1.bas” program, the arm just makes jerky shoulder movements to get at about 30 degrees above the horizontal - once it reaches this point it makes smaller and smaller jerky movements. It doesnt respond to any of the controller commands except for the Triangle button, which turns off the SSC-32. Also, the LYNX Madcatz controller I am using turns off the SSC-32 when I push upwards on the right analog stick - my SONY PS2 controller does not. I am extremely confused and frustrated, with my robot competition coming up soon, any help will be appreciated. I can give more details if you need them, just ask.
Is anyone going to answer me?
Im not sure what the problem could be. I used to have the same problem (sort of) with my SES bracket arm a while ago. Im not sure if it was becuase the pins of the servos were connected wrong, or I didnt position all my servos to zero. Oh, and is your battery charged? That may also be a big factor.
Yes, I went over all the connections, jumpers, and cables from the controller to the bot board as well. The battery is brand new, so that shouldnt be the problem. I just tried to program the Bot board again today, and now it won’t even connect with my computer! I think I may have a defective bot board.
Make sure you have a good serial cable before you do anything else. Also check the com port parameters in Windows Device Manager to be sure they are the same as what you are using with the bot board 115200 works fine in most cases.
Also, are you using an old style serial port (9 or 25 pin) or a USB to serial adapter? Some USB to serial adapters have been known to either not work or not work reliably.
8-Dale
Yes, the com port parameters are the same. I’m using the brand new serial cable I bought from lynxmotion, I dont think there is any problem there. Thanks again for the help.
Are you sure it’s in analog mode? From the sound of it the PS2 controller is not behaving with the l5l6p1.bas program. It could be a timing issue. Are you using the Bot Board with an Atom 28 and are you using the correct I/O pins 4,5,6,7? You may be able to compare the two programs to see if there are any changes that can be made. I’m no programming guru, so I’m not going to be any help.
Yes, I think the program didnt correspond with the PS2 controller originally, but now I cannot even program the BOT board because it doesnt “connect.” This is becoming extremely frustrating. I’ve rechecked the online directions multiple times, and I have done everything right.
Do you have the ability to send us a jpg image of the board so we can check the conections?
A low battery on the VL can cause this. Also if you name the file with something other than *.bas it can cause problems… If it worked before it should work again.
I dont understand how to upload images on this forum, but I emailed you the pictures I took at [email protected]. The battery I am using is a brand-new 9 volt, and new AA’s in the controller.
Also, I can tell you the connections if you cannot see them clearly in the pictures, just ask.
The images did help a bit. It looks as if you are powering everything from one source, which can be ok, but in this case the wires look to be too small. You need to use a bit heavier wire for the servo power. I run the power to the SSC-32 first, then you can use smaller gauge wire to power up the Bot Board. It looks like you may be going the other way. Also what are you using for power? Is it a battery pack, or a power supply? I need to know the specs for whatever you are using. It may be a good idea for you to separate the servo and logic power. Connect a 9vdc battery to the SSC-32 and Bot Board VL terminals and remove the VS=VL jumpers on both boards. Then put 6vdc on the SSC-32’s VS terminal only. I think the SSC-32 was resetting…
Ok, I just got back the BOT board (Mr.Frye replaced the ATOM 28). The "establishing connection " program works fine; the controller returns to the correct values. However when I run the program l5l6p1.bas, all the BOT board does is beep a little. When I push triangle or when I push up on the right analog stick, the SSC-32 switches on/off.
I have a 9-volt battery connected to the SSC-32’s VL and the BOT board’s VL, and a pack of 4 AA alkaline batteries connected to the SSC-32’s VS2. I have VS-VL, SPKEN, and two VS-5V jumpers on the BOT board, and have the first jumper on BAUD, VS2-VS1, and the TX jumpers on the SSC-32. If you need more info/pictures, just ask. Thanks
heh, because an 8 followed by a close parenthesis is BBCode for a cool dude smiley face. 8)
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I just replaced the 4 AA alkaline batteries with new ones, and now when I run the power through the SSC-32 and BOT board, the arm quickly contracts, so powerfully that I had to shut it off before something could happen to the servos. It was slightly responsive to the wrist controls, but would still contract sharply, so I was forced to turn it off right away. The “establishing connection” program runs fine, with the controller returning to the corresponding values each time. I am using a wireless Madcatz controller, and I also have wired SONY controllers if those could help.
Thanks for any help, please ask for any more details if needed.
I just ran the “establishing connection” program again, and every button works perfectly except for the R2. When I push this, the first value goes from 79 to 80, and the other 10 columns after that become 0, with the last 8 becoming 255. After I push the button, the “macro” light on the controller (right underneath the analog/digital/steering wheel light) flashes. I am still wondering how this could effect the program, because the robot still crunches up even if I do not push the R2 button.
I have discussed this at great length with Laurent. He has tested the program with several Madcats, and other brand controllers including the original Sony one. It works with all of them. We believe you are having a power problem. We believe the SSC-32 and Bot Board cards are resetting. You need to power the VL separately with a 9vdc battery and remove the VS=VL jumpers on both boards. This will fix the problem. 
yea I had already done that before - good news, the robot works! now the only issue i have is reducing the voltage - the total voltage for my competition is limited to 9.6 volts. Is there any way I can replace the 9-volt battery with a AA alkaline pack of 2 AA batteries? The servo power will still come from the 6volt (4 AA alkaline pack).
OR, could you send me proof that the VL and VS are completely independant circuits? the rules state that as long as there is no circuit carrying more than 9.6 volts it is ok.
thanks for all the help again.
there is the schematic on the next to last page of the user’s manual lynxmotion.com/images/data/ssc-32.pdf