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Boe-Bot Controllers

eiplannereiplanner Posts: 112
edited 2010-01-08 19:53 in Robotics
Can someone tell me if I can use a BS2 Homework Board with the Boe-Bot kit in place of the board of education development board?
Are the two boards interchangable? I already have the homework board and I would like to purchase the Boe-Bot kit and text
without the Development board in order to save $60.00.

Comments

  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2010-01-02 05:28
    They're very close. The Homework Board has a lower current capacity regulator and has built-in 220 Ohm resistors in series with each of the 16 I/O pins. I think the regulator has about 1/2 Amp maximum current output with a minimal heatsink while the BOE has a 1 Amp regulator with a good sized heatsink. There are some other differences, but these are the main ones. For most tasks, you can use the Homework Board. The most significant one is that you can run one or two servo motors off the regulated +5V supply on the BOE, but two servos will draw much too much current with the Homework Board. You have to use a 6V to 7.2V battery pack or AC supply for the servos which you can also use to run the Homework Board. For many uses, the 220 Ohm resistors won't make a difference. If you're running LEDs off the I/O pins, you have to figure in the extra resistance when you're looking at the examples in the text. Most examples call for a 220 Ohm resistor with an LED anyway (which is already there).
  • eiplannereiplanner Posts: 112
    edited 2010-01-02 05:53
    Are the dimensions of the two boards the same?
  • PrettybirdPrettybird Posts: 269
    edited 2010-01-02 06:19
    · I have used a· homework board on a boe bot chasses no problem. No need· to drill extra holes. Check out mini monster boe bot in completted projects afew months ago. Just need some extra wiring for the servos.
  • eiplannereiplanner Posts: 112
    edited 2010-01-02 21:03
    Thanks for the info. I just got through purchasing the Boe-Bot manual and parts kit so I can give it a try. I am quite sure you will all
    be getting more questions from me in the process. I really do like the way people on this forum seem eager to help and I greatly
    appreciate it. Some of us need all we can get.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,392
    edited 2010-01-02 21:05
    Yes, this works just fine. There are a few adaptations you'll need to make like plugging the servos into the breadboard but that's about all. I think it's a really slick way to go - the same as the BOE except there's a bit more work for you to do. And it's worth the learning experience, too.

    Ken Gracey
  • eiplannereiplanner Posts: 112
    edited 2010-01-08 19:53
    Thanks all, I have just completed assembly of my Boe-Bot and it turns out that the text incorporates the homework board along with
    the board of education in all of its connection diagrams. This has made it very easy for me. My thanks to Parallax for the inclusion
    of the homework board.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.
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