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Servo Controller card problem — Parallax Forums

Servo Controller card problem

JuliusJulius Posts: 8
edited 2006-12-20 09:55 in Robotics
Hi

Is the red light on the card off when I switch the card to off position?
Cause the red led light is always on.

I've done a "!SCVER?" test and there was no reply from the card.
Does it mean there's a shortage somewhere?

·

Comments

  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2006-12-13 16:07
    Julius,
    ·
    ·· If you’re referring to the Parallax Servo Controller the Red LED comes on whenever the module has power.· This power is typically supplied from the BOE that you normally connect it to.· The power switch on the module is only for the servos and doesn’t affect the LED.· As for sending “!SCVER?” you must also have the rest of the code and the correct baud mode settings.· The firmware code is listed in the documentation.· Which BASIC Stamp Module are you using?

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
  • JuliusJulius Posts: 8
    edited 2006-12-14 03:16
    I'm using BS2sx
    These are the codes:

    Sdat PIN 8
    Baud CON 396
    buff VAR Byte(3)


    findpsc:

    DEBUG "finding psc", CR
    SEROUT Sdat,Baud+$8000, [noparse][[/noparse]"!SCVER?",CR]
    SERIN Sdat, Baud, 500, findpsc, [noparse][[/noparse]STR buff\3]
    DEBUG "PSC ver: ", buff(0), buff(1), buff(2), CR
    STOP


    If it doesn't work, could it be that the card is spoilt? or is there another way to test it out? I've tried other pins and the green led is always blinking showing connection but there's no reply.
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2006-12-14 16:07
    Julius,
    ·
    ·· It’s not working with that code because that code was written for the BS2 and has the baud rate value for the BS2.· You need to change the baud rate value for the BS2sx, which would be 1021 instead of 396.· Take care.

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
  • JuliusJulius Posts: 8
    edited 2006-12-15 00:58
    Chris,

    Previously I experimented with 1021 and it doesn't work, I've retried again and the PSC still does not reply. Is there any other way of testing the card out?

    Thanks for your time.
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2006-12-18 16:46
    Julius,
    ·
    ·· What are your connections?· How are you powering the PSC?· What board is it connected to?

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
  • John R.John R. Posts: 1,376
    edited 2006-12-19 02:47
    Do you have the serial or USB version of the PSC?

    If you have the USB version, a simple test would be to connect to the PSC with hyperterm, and manually send the !PSCVER? command. You'll see the response in the hyperterminal window.

    Note that in hyperterminal, you'll see the version displayed twice (e.g. 1.41.4) This has to do with peculiarities of how the USB serial port connects to the PSC internally on the PSC.

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    John R.

    8 + 8 = 10
  • JuliusJulius Posts: 8
    edited 2006-12-20 09:55
    Oh i'm using a serial board, power with a DC 5V power supply.

    PSC has 4 servo motors to it and it is connected serially to the stamp.

    Very barebone design, just to test out the PSC. perhaps I'll get another stamp to power the servos instead of the PSC.

    would it be overstraining on a BS2sx if I power 4 servos and use it with the Bluetooth toothpick?
    Will not be simultaneously transmitting and powering the servos.

    thanks and happy holidays!!
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