Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
Penguin bot won't execute program unless it's plugged into serial terminal — Parallax Forums

Penguin bot won't execute program unless it's plugged into serial terminal

Marz KrishnaMarz Krishna Posts: 26
edited 2010-03-30 09:26 in Robotics
I've been running demo code on the penguin but, and for some reason it won't run it's program unless it's connected to the serial terminal. If i turn it on and it's not connected it just does a plit(left leg goes back-down, right leg goes forward-up). How do i make it execute the loaded program when i turn on the power? confused.gif

Comments

  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2010-03-09 20:07
    Check the battery level. It sounds like it might be too low to run the robot, so when you connect to the port it leeches enough power.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Chris Savage

    Parallax Engineering
    ·
  • Marz KrishnaMarz Krishna Posts: 26
    edited 2010-03-09 21:46
    I just got it and built it. It walks around after i unplug it.
    after checking it, i get 5v from the batteries.

    Post Edited (Marz Krishna) : 3/9/2010 11:23:03 PM GMT
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2010-03-10 00:46
    Replace the batteries immediately with new ones out of the package.
    You should always have a spare new battery set on hand for immediate use.
    Load the program, turn off Penguin, remove the usb cable, switch on
    Penguin, and let it go!

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    humanoido
    *Stamp SEED Supercomputer *Basic Stamp Supercomputer *TriCore Stamp Supercomputer
    *Minuscule Stamp Supercomputer *Tiny Stamp Supercomputer *Penguin with 12 Brains
    *BASIC Stamp Supercomputing Book *Three Dimensional Computer *StampOne News!
    *Penguin Tech *Penguin Robot Society *Toddler Humanoid Robot Project
    *Ultimate List Prop Languages *Prop-a-Lot *Prop SC Computer - coming soon!
    *Prop IB Hypercomputer - under development *Robotic Space Program

    Post Edited (humanoido) : 3/10/2010 12:51:24 AM GMT
  • Marz KrishnaMarz Krishna Posts: 26
    edited 2010-03-13 13:00
    got rechargables at 6v and still the same problem. Looks like i'm not the only one.
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2010-03-15 10:46
    Do you have it working now?
    What program are you running? Try a different program.
    Did you calibrate the servos using the servo calibration program for the program you are running?
    Which calibration program did you use?
    Can you test the batteries under the load of servos running?
    What voltage do you see?
    Which rechargeable batteries are you using?
    Check to see if the servos plug into their respective left - right sockets.

    humanoido
  • Marz KrishnaMarz Krishna Posts: 26
    edited 2010-03-18 01:08
    I can't just turn it on and have the program run.
    I've been running the autonomous program, but i've also tried the "penguin radio" program(same problem).
    I tried both of the autonomous programs.
    Yes, i calibrated it.
    I use the calibration program that came with it.
    Under the load of the servos i'm getting 7v. so the voltage isn't dropping, with my other set i get 6v, and the same problem.
    I'm using an off brand liIon.
    I checked and rechecked the sockets and tested and ran programs.
    I saw in another post the guy said it took one step, i'm thinking it's the same problem. I can't just turn it on and have it run my program.
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2010-03-18 12:18
    Unplug both servos. Load the radio program and what happens
    with the cable attached? (For the radio program to operate properly, you
    will need to previously have the compass calibrated.)
    Keep Penguin on, remove the cable, and what happens?
    Then push reset, and what happens? Again, sorry, but
    you will need a fresh set of batteries out of the store package to
    test this.

    humanoido

    Post Edited (humanoido) : 3/18/2010 12:23:14 PM GMT
  • Marz KrishnaMarz Krishna Posts: 26
    edited 2010-03-19 05:16
    It plays the sounds fine, if i unplug it then hit reset, it plays fine. if turn off the power for 1 second it works when i turn it on. if i turn off the power for 5 seconds it won't work when i turn it back on, and the 7-segment display will read 8. . If i plug the cable in when it's not working it'll start working, but the 7-segment display with still read 8. .
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2010-03-19 07:57
    So it works fine without the cable until you turn off the power 5 seconds or longer.
    Can you get this to repeat exactly the same at different times?
    or is it intermittent and random?

    humanoido
  • Marz KrishnaMarz Krishna Posts: 26
    edited 2010-03-19 10:48
    It's exactly the same everytime i try it. i'm sure it's not the battery power, because when the battery is low the penguin just resets it self over and over again. I've even tried programming it from different computers and i get the same problem. I have no problems with my sumo bots.
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2010-03-23 06:58
    I suggest turn on your computer, and have new batteries, cable,
    with Penguin robot (and the provided test programs from the
    download site) by the telephone with everything ready for
    testing and call Parallax Tech Support so they can step you through
    some tests in real time. Parallax is known for outstanding tech
    support and rest assured your Penguin will soon be in perfect
    condition.

    humanoido
  • MacoreMacore Posts: 41
    edited 2010-03-26 22:43
    I am getting the same results here. I was initially having trouble getting my penguin to walk at all. Key sent me a new PCB and Batteries and now I am getting the 8. on the display and the legs splitting problem. It works perfect as long as the USB cable is hooked up and the Terminal window is open. Also I noticed that if the terminal program doesn't have enough size to display the whole start-up message for the Calibration program V1.3 it will crash when I hit some keys and do nothing when I hit others, so it is hard to get it calibrated. Since I got the new PCB and Batteries, the Calibration program is still flaky and now I am getting this 8. thing as well. I have tried: re-booting the PC, all 3 sets of Batteries that I have all which read 3.0v or better on my Multi-Meter, a different USB cable and standing on one foot and holding my breath. This is really frustrating, I am beginning to dislike my penguin and the BS2 and am really rather sorry I bought it now. I wonder how others get theirs to work? I won't even get into the several issues I had putting it together. A BOE Bot with a Spin Stamp is much more fun to work on. I should have bought a Stingray...

    Sighs, ready to put this thing up on the shelf...

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Often the joy is not so much in the having, its in the building...

    Post Edited (Macore) : 3/26/2010 10:52:40 PM GMT
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2010-03-28 13:52
    Does your Penguin have the REVB board motherboard (with the three position slide switch)?

    humanoido
  • MacoreMacore Posts: 41
    edited 2010-03-30 05:45
    It does now... The original one shipped that came with the kit was not Rev B. The one Ken shipped to me is a Rev B...

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Often the joy is not so much in the having, its in the building...
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2010-03-30 09:26
    Same question to Marz.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    humanoido
    *Stamp SEED Supercomputer *Basic Stamp Supercomputer *TriCore Stamp Supercomputer
    *Minuscule Stamp Supercomputer *Tiny Stamp Supercomputer *Penguin with 12 Brains
    *BASIC Stamp Supercomputing Book *Three Dimensional Computer *StampOne News!
    *Penguin Tech *Penguin Robot Society *Toddler Humanoid Robot Project
    *Ultimate List Prop Languages *Prop-a-Lot *Propalot Stuff *Prop SC Computer
    *Prop IB Hypercomputer - under development *Hobby Space Program
Sign In or Register to comment.