Products for USB Sensing and Control
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 9:22 am 
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Phidgetsian

Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2009 12:21 pm
Posts: 13
Is this possible? I would guess it will be hard to control the speed.


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PostPosted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 9:45 am 
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Phidget Mastermind

Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:04 am
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The 8/8/8 can't update the outputs fast enough to produce the signal that a servo motor is looking for. You would be better off using a servo motor controller (We have several if you're looking for one)


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PostPosted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 10:50 am 
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Phidgetsian

Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2009 12:21 pm
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Thank you! I have been looking on the PhidgetAdvancedServo 8-Motor, but as I can see, it needs an external power source. That may be a problem, since I am going to mount my laptop on a piece of metal, with RC Motors, and control it with a wireless gamepad. What would have been perfect, is a USB to DC adapter, since I know a USB 2.0 port is capable of delivering 5.0V, but will that be enough? But the most prefered method would be to use batteries, I have found several batteries, but not a DC adapter. What kind of adapter would you reccommend me to use?


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PostPosted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 10:08 am 
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Phidget Mastermind

Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:04 am
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How many motors are you looking at running? That will be the major deciding factor.

Yes, servos work on 5v, in fact, the advanced servo board simply has a large 5v regulator on it for driving 8 motors.


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PostPosted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 4:15 am 
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Phidgetsian

Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2009 12:21 pm
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I think I am going to use 2-4 servo motors, with some kind of tank tracks.


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PostPosted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:34 pm 
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Phidget Mastermind

Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:04 am
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Just make sure you understand that most servos have a limited movement range (say 270 degrees), so if you're trying to use them to drive a set of tracks, you won't get too far.


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PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 5:08 pm 
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Phidgetsian

Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2009 12:21 pm
Posts: 13
Ahh, so it's better to use regular RC wheels then?

EDIT: It's a big chance I am misunderstanding you. But are you saying that most servo moters can't even turn 360 degrees?


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PostPosted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 10:09 am 
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Phidget Mastermind

Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:04 am
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Correct, most servos can't turn a full revolution. They're usually used for very precise movement back and forth of components in robots. For example, in a remote controlled plane, you would have a servo controlling the flaps, moving them up and down, or in an rc car, you would have a servo turning your steering left or right.

If you want a motor to drive a track continuously, look at using brushless DC motors if you want speed, or if you want some finer control, look at using stepper motors. Your best bet would be brushless DC. Depending on the size of the motors, our 1060, or 1064 motor controllers would work well for you. They can each control two motors, so you could buy one controller, and use it to drive your left and right motors.

Here's a tank I made that might give you some ideas:
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=3142


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PostPosted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 6:00 am 
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Phidgetsian

Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2009 12:21 pm
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I think I understand now. So I should buy a PhidgetMotorControl LV?

Thank you!

EDIT: One more quick question: The "G + " between the USB and the DC, can that be used to connect batteries?


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PostPosted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 10:05 am 
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Phidget Mastermind

Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:04 am
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Absolutely. That's what it's there for :)


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PostPosted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 9:46 am 
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Phidgetsian

Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2009 12:21 pm
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Thank you! :)


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