On - Off Switches
Jonathan Morrison
Posts: 23
I asked this before - but I don't think I was clear. I'll try again.
I have a BOE BOT that I enclosed in a shell. To turn the robot on I have to remove the shell - then kick on the power - then replace the shell. I would rather permanently attach the shell and wire up a power switch to the shell itself so that the robot could be easily turned on or off from the outsidee of the shell. However, I don't see any way to control the power to the BOE except for the switch on the BOE itself. Any suggestions on how to do this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I have a BOE BOT that I enclosed in a shell. To turn the robot on I have to remove the shell - then kick on the power - then replace the shell. I would rather permanently attach the shell and wire up a power switch to the shell itself so that the robot could be easily turned on or off from the outsidee of the shell. However, I don't see any way to control the power to the BOE except for the switch on the BOE itself. Any suggestions on how to do this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Comments
·· You could easily splice the power connection between the batteries and the barrel jack going into the BOE Board.· The Positive (Striped) wire would be the one to cut, and connect the two leads to a switch you could buy at Radio Shack or someplace else.· This would allow you direct control of the main power going to the BOE-Bot.
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Chris Savage
Parallax Tech Support
csavage@parallax.com
The BOE power switch would be left in the "on" position. Go to RadioShack and buy one of their 1/4" diameter switches. Drill a hole in your shell and wire the switch to the power cord running to the Boe-Bot. Problem solved.
Ken Gracey
Parallax, Inc.
One quick follow up (please don't laugh at my ignorance) - could I cut the negative wire and have it "switched" instead of the striped positive wire? This is just an educational question. Sorry if it is completely stupid - I am trying to learn about basic electronic principles as I go. BTW - if anyone has any suggestions on books for learning electronics from a VERY basic level - I am all ears. I have several electronics for dummies type books plus the "What is a microcontroller" book and of course the BOEBOT book. Thanks again.
·· While you could switch the negative side in this case, it's not the recommended way to go.
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Chris Savage
Parallax Tech Support
csavage@parallax.com
I found Paul Scherz's "Practical Electronics for Inventors" pretty good. I have a business background, not an engineering one, so finding "dummy" books is critical for me... I fould this a very good source. Also consider Scott Edwards "Programming and Customizing the BASIC Stamp Computer" and everyone's favorite, Gordon McComb's "The Robot Builder'sBonanza". If your interest is electronics around the Stamp, then your library is not complete without Matt Gilliland's "The Microcontroller Application Cookbook" series.
bugg
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