Parallax USB Servo Controller problem

andyschm

I recently received 3 parallax servo controllers with the USB interface.

When I use the PSCI application (version 0.9h beta), the device is found (it appears as COM5), however the "File > Get PSC Version" command returns "Version: ..." and none of the motor controls work. The green LED does flash when data is sent over the USB cable.

I also tried to talk to it directly with a serial port using a usb-serial driver, 2400 8N1, this time from another computer. When sending the "!SCVER?\r" command the green LED flashes, the PSC echoes back the 8 character string but no version number follows.

I have the same problem with all three controllers. We used to have another one around that worked but I don't have that any more. Do these have bad firmware or something? What should I do?

Thanks

allanlane5

Have you installed the "FTDI" USB serial drivers? I believe they MUST be installed BEFORE you plug in the USB cable for this to work.

John R.

Andy;

See this thread: http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=612151

and contact support.

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John R.

8 + 8 = 10

andyschm

Yes I have installed the FTDI USB serial drivers (Virtual COM Port version). The green LED flashes when I send it data from PSCI so obviously it is receiving data. Under Windows device manager it appears as "USB Serial Port (COM5)".

I have the latest FTDI VCP drivers installed on a mac also and have been able to communicate with it over /dev/tty.usb. It echoes back the !SCVER? text but no version number follows.

Chris Savage

Andy,
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·· Please contact Tech Support directly on this either by phone or at e-mail address support@parallax.com

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Chris Savage
Parallax Tech Support