problems with power supply
Brand new Boe-Bot/BASIC Stamp user here with a pretty fundamental problem.
I just unpacked my kit, and it seems that the 6-9VDC battery power input isn't working (no power LED, board not detected by the PC), although the 9V seems to work fine. Before I spend valuable playtime trying to determine whether the problem is in the sled, the power plug, or the power socket (there are no obvious wiring breaks): does this matter at all? Am I losing/risking anything if I just forget about using the 4xAA sled and just use a 9V alkaline battery?
H/W is a BS2 rev G on Board of Education rev C.
TIA,
Carl "Virginia Virgin"
I just unpacked my kit, and it seems that the 6-9VDC battery power input isn't working (no power LED, board not detected by the PC), although the 9V seems to work fine. Before I spend valuable playtime trying to determine whether the problem is in the sled, the power plug, or the power socket (there are no obvious wiring breaks): does this matter at all? Am I losing/risking anything if I just forget about using the 4xAA sled and just use a 9V alkaline battery?
H/W is a BS2 rev G on Board of Education rev C.
TIA,
Carl "Virginia Virgin"
Comments
Can you measure the output voltage of the AA battery holder at the power plug? What is it?
A 9V alkaline battery has very little capacity and really can't supply power to servo motors for more than a few minutes. It can power the Stamp for long enough to do some of the experiments, but can't run the motors.
1. The batteries are good.
2. They are all in the holder facing in the the right direction
I tried two sets of batteries so either they're OK or I was really unlucky. And they look to be lined up right (and to be the right way around wrt the springs). Oh well. At least I can play/learn until I get over to Radio Shack.
You should have proper calculations before using alkaline battery in term of voltage and AA else it may ham full for your system. my suggestion is this.
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Christian rings
I went to Radio Shack (for a multimeter) and while I was there, for two bucks I picked up a holder that connects 4xAAs to the 9V battery snap. Easier than fiddling around trying to find where the break is in the original sled. Now I can get on with real stuff!