BS2 small form factor USB

DavidNyman

Has anyone done a project with a small carrier board for the BS2? I'd like to find a custom PCB with on board USB mini plug like the Homework board, something along the lines of an Arduino Nano only for the BS2. I know it's a dated micro controller, I still really enjoy building with it.
I thought about trying to design my own and sending them off to JLCPCB. I'm hoping someone has already done it.

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

Take a look at this:

https://www.parallax.com/product/28300

-Phil

jmg

DavidNyman wrote: »

Has anyone done a project with a small carrier board for the BS2? I'd like to find a custom PCB with on board USB mini plug like the Homework board, something along the lines of an Arduino Nano only for the BS2. I know it's a dated micro controller, I still really enjoy building with it.
I thought about trying to design my own and sending them off to JLCPCB. I'm hoping someone has already done it.

Do you want to include the USB-UART, as a module, or as a chip ?

There are lower cost DIP form factor modules with MINIUSB like CP2102N-MINIEK ex Mouser Digikey

Or, Asian brands come cheaper - this one is $1.00
https://www.electrodragon.com/product/usb-ttl-serial-ch340-board/
- but that has a larger USB connector, and a 0.1" right angle header, with fewer handshake lines.

or eBay has similar form factor CP2102, with more handshake lines
https://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-zu-TTL-Konverter-Modul-mit-eingebautem-in-CP2102-N9P1/382915551910

or Aliexpress
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32649901065.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32953073716.html

and this one is a more compact form factor, micro USB, with a DTR handshake line, so could suit a small carrier board
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32666390846.html 89c

DavidNyman

Thanks very much for the suggestions. The 2pe motherboard looks interesting. I turned to YouTube hoping to find one of these in use but nothing turned up. I'll order one and give it a try. I've attached a picture of my project robot to show where this is going.
Thanks again!

Publison

That's a serious chassis! I would throw a Propellor at it, but I understand the love for BS2.

DavidNyman

Thank you. The Propeller is little over my head so I'm sticking with what I'm comfortable with. The chassis was inspired by a creator in Lativa who teaches at a university. The RTU Robotikas Klub's version is far superior to mine. I actually contacted the gentlemen in Lativa, he was really friendly and a pleasure to correspond with.

The chassis was made on a Tormach. The motors are Maxon brushless and from ebay. The drives are simple 10a reversing Hobby King units.

DavidNyman

A little more progress today. Sadly, the Maxons have to go. I knew it was a long shot with the tiny 3 watt brushless motors. The reduction is 157:1. The chassis works great in a straight line but when I try to turn, the trouble begins. Went ahead and ordered brushed 22mm gear motors from Servo City. 270:1 ratio, 44 rpm should fix the turning issue. I'll have to machine the motor mounts for a slightly different screw pattern. Lol, all in a Sunday.

DavidNyman

The rover moved today under it's own power. I bought 44 rpm 22mm planetary gearheads from ServoCity along with Simple motor controllers from Pololu. Running a USB homework board that has been physically cut down to fit. An Xbee allows it to communicate with the base remote using a heavily modified program written for the BoeBot years ago.
The motors have plenty of power to skid steer all 8 wheels although it won't win any races. It does move along at an acceptable pace. I'll be adding the Ping and compass next!

Buck Rogers

Amazing.
But the photos are missing something. Where is the frustrated domestic, who spent his entire time today trying to catch it? (And feeling run off of his four paws.) (Cat that is.)

DavidNyman

Lol, No cats here. But here's a picture to show this has been an obsession of mine for a while now.

erco

Ooooooooh that's a lovely chassis! Please share a video in the Robotics forum. And consider programming a figure 8 to add your bot to the figure 8 challenge that started 6-1/2 years ago! See http://forums.parallax.com/discussion/138125/ercos-figure-eight-challenge

DavidNyman

Help! I had backed up my bs2 files to an external drive and in a moment of questionable judgement moved a big magnet too close to my external drive rendering the drive useless.
I'm looking for the files Wireless_Joystick_Botbot.bs2 and Boebot_Control.bs2 These files were referenced in the Getting Started with Xbee RF modules book originally available from Parallax.
These files used to be available on the Parallax website I believe. If anyone has these files or can direct me to their location on the Parallax website I would be really grateful!
Thank you!

VonSzarvas

If @Publison doesn't have these archived, chances are @"Jeff Martin" will be able to help.

Publison

Zip file should be what you are looking for.
Associated with this tutorial.
https://www.parallax.com/downloads/getting-started-xbee-rf-modules-text

Publison

If these are not the files, let us know.

DavidNyman

Thank you!!!

DavidNyman

Made more progress on this little guy today. The bot is 8 wheel drive and turns easily on carpet. 3s 1400mah lipo provides the power right now. 2 Xbees form a com link between the robot and the remote. The ramp is at a 40 degree angle and much steeper than it looks in the video! More to come!

AwesomeCronk

Criminey!! I think the coolest part is when it just stops and sits at the top! This is an extremely cool bot!!

DavidNyman

Thank you! I need to shoot another video, the robot is faster than the video shows. I was holding my phone trying to keep the robot in frame as well as drive it with the other hand. Too much hand to eye coordination required for my age.