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New user with Boe-Bot having trouble... — Parallax Forums

New user with Boe-Bot having trouble...

sobaman14sobaman14 Posts: 24
edited 2009-01-03 01:27 in Robotics
Hi!
I am a new user, and I am having trouble with the Boe-Bot I received as a gift for Christmas. When I first tried out the IR emitters, one of them didn't work. So I went to RadioShack and bought an Infrared Emitter and Detector, but I only used the emitter, which has:

Reverse Voltage: 5V
Continuous Forward Current: 150mA
Forward Voltage: 1.3V typ., 1.7V max.
Radiant Power Output: 13 - 15mW
Wavelength at Peak Emission: 950nm

And it works great, except now the other emitter gets really hot when I run a program called Roaming With IR Emitters.
Also, occasionally the computer will say 'No usable Serial Ports Found,' even when the Boe-Bot is connected and turned on. Am I wiring it wrong? If so, I am adding some pictures of it's breadboard.

Does anyone know what I am doing wrong? Please help me!!!!


Thank you!

Post Edited (sobaman14) : 12/31/2008 7:42:50 PM GMT
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Comments

  • MovieMakerMovieMaker Posts: 502
    edited 2008-12-31 04:35
    two of my IRdetectors burned up also. I think that we are hooking them wrong.
  • MikerocontrollerMikerocontroller Posts: 310
    edited 2008-12-31 07:16
    · You can always clear off the breadboard and start fresh.· Before you reinstall everything you can test each of the emitters.· Write a small program to flash an LED.· If it works substitute your IR LED and check the light output with your digital camera.· You should see a purple light.· As long as you have the proper current-limiting resistor and you don't exceed the reverse voltage rating an·LED should not burn up if it is installed backwards (it will, however ·not light up).· You might consider trimming the resistor leads down.· When the breadboard starts looking like the game of Twister its time to re-do it.· I'm not saying it is real bad but there are enough bare runs of wire to cause shorts.··




    Post Edited (Mikerocontroller) : 12/31/2008 7:46:30 AM GMT
  • sobaman14sobaman14 Posts: 24
    edited 2008-12-31 18:29
    I tried that, but when I covered one of the emitters, the other on would light up, and when I covered that one, the same one would light up! I probably have a short somewhere...

    Thanks!
  • MikerocontrollerMikerocontroller Posts: 310
    edited 2008-12-31 20:18
    · Be sure to check the resistor you have connected to the right side detector.· It looks like it is very close to the BoeBot chassis.· Remember that the chassis is grounded and no components should be touching it.· Good luck with your project!
  • sobaman14sobaman14 Posts: 24
    edited 2008-12-31 20:23
    Thanks!
  • boe-crazyboe-crazy Posts: 53
    edited 2009-01-01 20:56
    about your serial port not found...problem, i had the same problem.· I suggest bending the prongs back just a tiny bit so your stamp registers every time.smile.gif
  • sobaman14sobaman14 Posts: 24
    edited 2009-01-02 03:05
    What prongs are you talking about?
  • sobaman14sobaman14 Posts: 24
    edited 2009-01-02 23:06
    I got it to work! All I had to do was buy another IR emitter!
    Thanks for your suggestions!
  • boe-crazyboe-crazy Posts: 53
    edited 2009-01-03 01:27
    the i/o pins on the bottom of your stamp
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