Team 4053 is not even close to done! DX

[TehNovak]

We have run into almost every problem imaginable, from faulty programs to errors to mechanical problems and so forth. We need a lot of help right now. all we are trying to do at the moment is to get the two motors we have to run in response to input from two joysticks. but its not working. at all. If theres anything anyone can do to help, Im happy to give details, provide videos, pictures, etc. anything we need to do to get it running. thank you very much.

[JamesCH95]

Got a location? I'm sure any local team would send a few people over to get you up and running.

[TehNovak]

We are in Louisiana. Gonzales, Louisiana, to be exact. East Ascension High School is our school.

[JamesCH95]

Cool. Nowhere near us, but hopefully a local team will find this thread! You might also want to check TIMS for contact info from local teams.

A few preliminary questions:

Digital sidecar ribbon cable okay (http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default/files/uploadedFiles/Robotics_Programs/FRC/Game_and_Season__Info/2012_Assets/DB37%20Ribbon%20Cable%20Assembly%20-%20Rework%20Instructions.pdf)?
Do the Jags'/Victors' lights change color when joystick input is applied, or do they stay orange/blinking?
Flashed cRIO with the latest firmware?


Easy things to check for:

PWM cable orientation, black to black, red to red...
PWM cables are actually plugged in. They can get misaligned and seem plugged in, but actually are not.
Crimp connectors are actually crimped and tight.
Wire was stripped prior to being crimped.
Wire installed in the power distribution board is stripped.
Breakers are installed.

Good luck!

[TehNovak]

The one thing I do know for sure, the Jaguars stay just blinking orange. the ribbon is okay.

[andrewthecow]

Hey, I'm a student from team 3753, Parkview Baptist in Baton Rouge. We'd be glad to help y'all as much as we can. Send me a private message with contact information and I'll see we can do.

[JamesCH95]

The one thing I do know for sure, the Jaguars stay just blinking orange. the ribbon is okay.

To play devils advocate, did you check every pin on the ribbon cable for continuity? It's very easy to install the terminals incorrectly.

[TehNovak]

I have not, no. even so, is the jaguars not changing colors incorrect?

[JamesCH95]

I'd double-check that, and any component that is potentially questionable. It pays to be skeptical in this regard.

Have you verified cRIO communication? I.e. flashed it and downloaded code?

It might also help to post up your robot code for other programmers to look at.

[nocapitals]

What programming language are you using?

[JohnSchneider]

Some of the ribbon cables were sent backwards too. We had that problem at first.(If your sure your code is correct).

[CalTran]

If you're sure about the hardware, than what you should look at is whether the jaguar does what it's supposed to do. When you throw the joystick into full forward, the jag should rapidly blink green. Or at least turn green. If not than there's a wiring issue.

[JamesCH95]

If you're sure about the hardware, than what you should look at is whether the jaguar does what it's supposed to do. When you throw the joystick into full forward, the jag should rapidly blink green. Or at least turn green. If not than there's a wiring issue.

... or a programming issue... or a communications issue... or a 'broken digital sidecar' issue... or a 'joystick isn't properly setup' issue...

[familyguyfreak]

This is Team 4209 TigerBytes in Baton Rouge. Send me a PM and we'll gladly find a way to help you out in any way possible. :)

[nitneylion452]

Post as many pictures as you can to help us locate possible problem areas. Also, it would be a good idea for you to post your code here for the numerous mountain dew'd up programmers to look at. We'll all try to do as much as we can.

And definitely take advantage of the teams offering to help. You have no idea how much just a few more experienced bodies can do.:)

[jason701802]

Jags blink orange/yellow when they are not getting a signal or are getting a signal that they don't understand. The full blink code table is below


Normal Operating Conditions
Solid Yellow Neutral (speed set to 0)
Fast Flashing Green Forward
Fast Flashing Red Reverse
Solid Green Full-speed forward
Solid Red Full-speed reverse

Fault Conditions
Slow Flashing Yellow Loss of CAN or servo link
Slow Flashing Red Fault

Calibration or CAN Conditions
Flashing Red and Green Calibration mode active
Flashing Red and Yellow Calibration mode failure
Flashing Green and Yellow Calibration mode success
Slow Flashing Green CAN ID assignment mode
Fast Flashing Yellow Current CAN ID (count flashes to determine ID)
Flashing Yellow CAN ID invalid (that is, Set to 0) awaiting valid ID assignment

[TehNovak]

Thank you all for your great help. were having another mentor come today to help us out. if we cannot resolve it, or even if we can, then I'll let you all know. Thank you again. :) This truly is a great group of people.