Propeller (Quick Start Board) working with MSRDS

Mike4421

Hi guys, I'm new to Propeller code, I just got the basics from the quick start site at Parallax Semiconductor, I understand how obects work and are called, setting the propellers xtal at the right freqz, did the sample files, made the LEDs and Buttons work, and flash... its a great board.

I wanted to run the MSRDS code for the "SPIN Stamp" in the Propeller Quick Start board, but I have one problem; the Servo Motors dont turn.

the servos are in working order, I use New Batteries or the wall wart, MSRDS does make the bluetooth connection; because I hear the Beep for confirmation, and MSRDS does not throw an error (only when I place the wrong COM # OUT).

I check my connections to make sure they are correct, on the QuickStart Board pin1 = pin0, pin2 = pin1, etc.....

the Spin Stamp uses a 10Mhz and the Quick Start board uses a 5Mhz xtal and I change the main code according..... beyond this I'm not sure what to do. The code is 2007, the servo Object is for the PE kit, you can get more info once you read it.

any comments are welcome.

thank you parallax community.

Mike4421

I forgot to state, if you decide to use this code on MSRDS R3/R4; you will need an A7 eb500 or A7 eb301 or A7 eb101, because the MSRDS code was designed to use the "STATUS" pin5 on these Bluetooth modules....... this code was made for the BoeBot and the SPIN Stamp.

Duane Degn

Does the servo work with the QuickStart board using a different program?

Try my QuickStart servo tester and see if the servo will work with it.

After loading the program, any servo connected to P24 - P27 should start oscillating. Make sure and load the program to EEPROM (F11) incase the servo causes the Propeller to reset.

There's also a simple servo demo in post #15 of the same thread.

A lot of the time, servo problems are caused by inadequate power supply. Lots of wall-warts wont supply enough current for servos and servos often wont work when powered by a 9V battery.

Often using a separate power supply for the Prop and the servo will solve the problem. If you use separate power supplies remember to make sure they share a common ground connection.

Mike4421

Ahhh, TWO power supplies.... will try this and the 1000uf cap....... will get back with the results.....

Mike4421

Thanks Duane Degn, your program works..... I followed your video instructions, I just changed the some settings to these like you recomend to be on the safe side....

_AbsoluteMaxPulse = 2500
_AbsoluteMinPulse = 500

I used standard Parallax Servos on pin 14 and pin15, and it works.... thanks!!

now lets try this MSRDS code again......

Mike4421

It works....... for a min. I was thinking.... were going to have to rewrite some code....

for now here are some pics of the setup, I will make a video on how to do this.......... for now if you want, you can look at this other post for general info on how to get started with MSRDS and the Boe Bot in CH14 of the MSRDS by WROX.

http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?138582-BoeBot-Connection-to-MSRD-R3-R4

I know, I've been told to make the better videos.... but for the moment this will due....

some of the things that were used were,

to uninstall the bluetooth software "BlueSoleil"; it conficts with the communications between MSRDS and the A7 301 (just use the plain Windows drivers)

use the correct xtal and multiplyer for the Propeller QuickStart board

and TWO power supplies.... I used one 7.5v 300ma wall wart for the QuickStart, and a 9v 1.0A wall wart for the Board of Education....

Thank you Duane Degn, for your software and support.

Duane Degn

Mike,

You're very welcome. I'm glad things are working well.

You might want to take a look at another BOE-Bot with a QuickStart board. Forum member Jose, added a QuickStart to his BOE-Bot. He wanted to use the QS's touchpads as a program interface. I wrote some instructions on how to use the QS touchpads as buttons starting in post #15 of his thread.

Mike4421

Thanks for the link Duane, its nice to see guys already at work with the BoeBot chassis and Propeller; I'll like to keep the BS2, to do all the Grunt work; move servos, read noisy data, etc... and have the high end microntroller (Propeller) to all the Brains. we'll see what happens....

Thanks again...

Mike4421

I almost forgot.... I got very busy after Finishing this project that, I forgot to place the You Tube link of the Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vxhArxoSxU&feature=BFa&list=UL89eaMn8-NNM