Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
On - Off Switches — Parallax Forums

On - Off Switches

Jonathan MorrisonJonathan Morrison Posts: 23
edited 2005-07-21 01:05 in Robotics
I asked this before - but I don't think I was clear. I'll try again. tongue.gif

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

  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2005-07-19 14:46
    Jonathan,

    ·· 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.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,392
    edited 2005-07-19 14:51
    Jonathon,

    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.
  • Jonathan MorrisonJonathan Morrison Posts: 23
    edited 2005-07-20 15:48
    Thanks Chris and Ken. You guys make this stuff seem easy. [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    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.
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2005-07-20 16:03
    Jonathan,

    ·· While you could switch the negative side in this case, it's not the recommended way to go.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com
  • allanlane5allanlane5 Posts: 3,815
    edited 2005-07-20 16:06
    You could, but it's kind of nice to have a 'common' ground that stays common. When you throw the switch, you need to make sure you are disconnecting everything from the negative of the battery.
  • Steve JoblinSteve Joblin Posts: 784
    edited 2005-07-20 16:13
    Jonathan -

    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.
  • Jonathan MorrisonJonathan Morrison Posts: 23
    edited 2005-07-21 00:56
    Steve - thanks for the book suggestions! Very cool.
  • MacGeek117MacGeek117 Posts: 747
    edited 2005-07-21 01:05
    And if you want alot of ideas you can read the book, Build Your Own Robot! by Karl Lunt.
    bugg

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Boe-bot: $229


    Toddler: $249

    Learning Google is your friend: priceless
Sign In or Register to comment.