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I can't wait for the Robot Control Board getting started guide — Parallax Forums

I can't wait for the Robot Control Board getting started guide

DutchBotDutchBot Posts: 24
edited 2010-04-07 02:25 in Robotics
Hello all,

I got the robot control board and build a bot arround it. It's working (well it moves) but somehow I'm a bit dissapointed. There is little example code and if it's there it's kind of complicated (like the stingray with 5 pings). I just have one ping and the servo bracket. I can find boe-bot examples but these are in·a different·language and worse they need the IR part allready setup. Then I stumbled upon·some recent·posts on the forum. So I guess I have to wait for a little more. Bummer. I'll just go and try, try and try some more. If I can get it to do anything usefull I'll post it in the obex.

I'm still having fun however, especially last week. I got my engines in and tried to move the bot. It worked, I·nearly destroyed my sofa and ran over my son. The bot is scaring him by now. It doesn't have wheel encoders so I haven't been able to drive it arround the house. Worse, I can't even forward and reverse it more then 1 time without it going off course and crashing into things.

A getting started booklet would be a great addition to the board!

Maybe I should of taken the basic stamp path as a novice [noparse]:)[/noparse]

http://letsmakerobots.com/node/16613

Comments

  • ScopeScope Posts: 417
    edited 2010-04-06 13:25
    DutchBot said...
    A getting started booklet would be a great addition to the board!

    I agree 100%

    Let's make one!

    I'll begin:

    Thank you for purchasing the Parallax Propeller Robot Control Board.

    Ok, your turn.
  • DutchBotDutchBot Posts: 24
    edited 2010-04-06 14:46
    Shouldn't we negotiate the salary first?

    Chapter one: how to connect a servo to the robot control board

    Take a brand new high torque servo, cut the control wire in half, add a 1k Ohm resistor, solder it together and there you go.

    Post Edited (DutchBot) : 4/6/2010 3:01:13 PM GMT
  • DutchBotDutchBot Posts: 24
    edited 2010-04-06 14:53
    Am I asking for something strange? You get a·200 page·manual when you buy a 20$ coffee machine so I guess adding something to a 100$ robot control bord is not such a bizar question. I'll get the freaking thing to work, eventually, no worries about that. Just some kick-off stuff would be nice. I'm not asking for a chicken that can drop golden eggs......

    Maybe it's even there but am I looking in the wrong places..... Any helpfull comments would be appreciated [noparse];)[/noparse]
  • ScopeScope Posts: 417
    edited 2010-04-06 15:14
    Learning how to use the Propeller when I barely know much about the Stamp 2:

    After a few meager attempts to learn SPIN using my Propeller Robot Control Board (PRCB), I have shelved the PRCB so I can learn how to use the Propeller by using a simple Propeller-based breadboard kit.

    I am extremely anxious to get my kit which should arrive any day now, and start learning how to use the Propeller from the ground up. I also have the new green Propeller book (with the gigantic name) which I believe will be very useful in future Propeller-related endeavors.

    Because of my limited experience with microcontrollers, I am somewhat apprehensive about damaging or ruining my PRCB during the inevitable boo-boo's involved during the learning phase. For now, I will keep the phenomenal PRCB on the shelf until I become "somewhat proficient" with introductory Propeller functionality using a basic "breadboard kit"

    I think the documentation and other resources offered by Parallax are phenomenal. I have total confidence I'll be able to get the ball rolling with my PRCB in due time.

    Post Edited (Scope) : 4/6/2010 3:19:19 PM GMT
  • DutchBotDutchBot Posts: 24
    edited 2010-04-06 15:44
    You're probably right·about the way to go but I know how to program a little. It's a bit of a shame to start with one thing and then start over again with something new. The languages are pretty different from each other so I guess that any basic stamp guru would have to find it's way arround spin again. I can read and understand some parts already but I'm not good enough yet. With some simple examples (like there are so many for the boe-bot) life would be so much easier.

    I guess if you would of had a "quick ref" mentioning some parts and some code you would need to have to make a roaming bot "out of the box" you would still be playing arround with the prcb other then just ditching it and hoping for better weather in the future·[noparse];)[/noparse]

    I already got a robotic arm to pick up stuff and drop it again, pretty much a dream to get to work with the rcb. I loved the ease (well I didn't like the part that I had to add resistors to stop the servo's from jittering) of getting things to work so far. Even for me as a noob without earlier basic stamp experience.

    I know, patience isn't my best virtue. yeah.gif
  • DutchBotDutchBot Posts: 24
    edited 2010-04-06 15:49
    I'll order that green book with the name that exceeds the amount of characters given in the regular documentation of the RCB if you say its worthwhile. [noparse];)[/noparse]
  • ScopeScope Posts: 417
    edited 2010-04-06 16:00
    DB,

    I'd highly recommend you should consider obtaining the following:

    www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/PropellerProgrammingKits/tabid/144/ProductID/651/List/0/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName,ProductName

    because this Propeller kit includes the two Propeller books which are ~$35 & $33 each (+/-), so, it's like getting the Propeller Demo Board for only ~$32

    Hope this helps,

    Scope
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2010-04-06 17:43
    Stingray manuals/docs/etc. are in the process of being revised. Please bear with us during this time of maintenance.

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

    Parallax Engineering
    ·
  • Steph LindsaySteph Lindsay Posts: 767
    edited 2010-04-06 17:44
    DB,

    Just FYI, the Propeller Manual and the Propeller Education Kit Labs are both available as free PDF files, and are bundled into the Propeller Tool Installer along with all the example code. You can access the books from the Help file or from the Start menu.

    -Stephanie Lindsay
    Editor, Parallax Inc.
  • Roy ElthamRoy Eltham Posts: 3,000
    edited 2010-04-06 17:56
    DutchBot: With the MSR1 Robot Controller board you don't need the 1K resistor. It has level translators for the signal lines and also a jumper to driver servo power from the battery input.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Check out the Propeller Wiki·and contribute if you can.
  • hover1hover1 Posts: 1,929
    edited 2010-04-06 18:11
    Roy , there is a problem with some servos, mostly digital servos,·because of the level translator. Read here:

    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=862005

    I believe Chris is addressing the issue, and has offered and explanation to the problem.

    Jim
    Roy Eltham said...
    DutchBot: With the MSR1 Robot Controller board you don't need the 1K resistor. It has level translators for the signal lines and also a jumper to driver servo power from the battery input.

  • Roy ElthamRoy Eltham Posts: 3,000
    edited 2010-04-06 20:17
    hover1: Ah, I hadn't had a problem yet. I have used a servo from Parallax without issue. It's good to know there is a simple solution if I do run into that in the future.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Check out the Propeller Wiki·and contribute if you can.
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2010-04-07 02:25
    DutchBot,

    On this thread - http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=894698 I have challenged Stingray owners to try to get some similar going for the Stingray. It should be generally helpful for you also.

    We are just getting started - so watch for progress.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Whit+


    "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
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