4 motors, 2 motor controllers? [Archive]

TenaciousDrones

14-01-2014, 12:47

Hey guys my team was wondering if we are able to hook two motors up to the AndyMark Toughbox Mini and just controll them both from one Victor motorcontroller.

Ether

14-01-2014, 12:53

Hey guys my team was wondering if we are able to hook two motors up to the AndyMark Toughbox Mini and just controll them both from one Victor motorcontroller.

Depends on what motors. Read the Game manual, Rule 4.8.21 R51 Table 4-4.

cgmv123

14-01-2014, 12:54

If you're talking CIM Motors, then no. See R51.

The correct way to drive 2 motors and keep them in sync is to split the PWM signal using a PWM splitter. You should have recieved 2 in your kickoff kit.

JohnSchneider

14-01-2014, 14:28

If you're talking CIM Motors, then no. See R51.

The correct way to drive 2 motors and keep them in sync is to split the PWM signal using a PWM splitter. You should have recieved 2 in your kickoff kit.

I think they just wanted to save on the cost of 2 Victors/talons/jaguars

Rynocorn

14-01-2014, 22:16

Question: if you are using the KOP tough box mini and both the motors on one sides are linked together by the PWM splitter, won't they be turning in the same direction? Because the gearbox needs one clockwise and the other counterclockwise in order to work? I assume I am missing something as lots of teams must use them...

ToddF

14-01-2014, 22:20

You can reverse the direction of a DC motor by swapping the polarity of the power leads.

BBray_T1296

14-01-2014, 22:24

Question: if you are using the KOP tough box mini and both the motors on one sides are linked together by the PWM splitter, won't they be turning in the same direction? Because the gearbox needs one clockwise and the other counterclockwise in order to work? I assume I am missing something as lots of teams must use them...

No, they both spin in the same direction

(see attachment)

kevin.li.rit

14-01-2014, 22:26

Question: if you are using the KOP tough box mini and both the motors on one sides are linked together by the PWM splitter, won't they be turning in the same direction? Because the gearbox needs one clockwise and the other counterclockwise in order to work? I assume I am missing something as lots of teams must use them...

The 2 motors that feed the toughbox are supposed to turn in the same direction. I.e. both counter clockwise or both clockwise.

Rynocorn

14-01-2014, 22:28

No, they both spin in the same direction

(see attachment)

Ohh my.... Well I guess we happened to accidentally invert the power leads on two of our victors and then have the code work perfectly with a motor inverted on each side. I am feeling pretty dumb right now :(

Thanks you guys

cbale2000

15-01-2014, 01:12

Ohh my.... Well I guess we happened to accidentally invert the power leads on two of our victors and then have the code work perfectly with a motor inverted on each side. I am feeling pretty dumb right now :(

Thanks you guys

Don't feel too bad, this same thing threw me off a few days ago while we were troubleshooting a testing robot we have. I'm still used to some of our older gearboxes that did require you to reverse the direction of one motor. :rolleyes: