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Diplodicus
13-02-2014, 23:01
We are running a 6 CIM drive base each controlled with Talons. For some reasons two of the talons are outputting slightly less voltage. I have checked the input voltage on the talons from the power distribution board and the voltage on the PWM cable and they match the voltage going to the other talons. We have replaced the talons themselves twice and it is still a problem with the location. Does anyone have any idea what the source of the problem is?
Chris_Ely
13-02-2014, 23:09
Have you calibrated the Talons?
Diplodicus
13-02-2014, 23:17
I don't know what your talking about but the problem isn't with the talons themselves because we have replaced the with Talons we have confirmed to work in other locations.
geomapguy
13-02-2014, 23:19
I don't know what your talking about but the problem isn't with the talons themselves because we have replaced the with Talons we have confirmed to work in other locations.

Actually the problem itself might be the Talons...Have you calibrated them??
Diplodicus
13-02-2014, 23:21
What do you mean by calibrating? I have never heard of calibrating Talons.
MrRoboSteve
13-02-2014, 23:24
Secrets like this are often kept in the manual.

http://www.crosstheroadelectronics.com/Talon_User_Manual_1_1.pdf
geomapguy
13-02-2014, 23:25
What do you mean by calibrating? I have never heard of calibrating Talons.

http://www.crosstheroadelectronics.com/Talon_User_Manual_1_1.pdf
z_beeblebrox
13-02-2014, 23:25
Voltage drops with longer wires. The effect isn't huge (on the order of 10ths of a volt, based on this (http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html?material=copper&wiresize=5.211&voltage=12&phase=dc&noofconductor=1&distance=2&distanceunit=feet&amperes=40&x=65&y=12) calculator) on an FRC robot scale, but it may explain your problem. Are the problematic Talons farther from the PD board than the others?
Chris_Ely
13-02-2014, 23:25
What do you mean by calibrating? I have never heard of calibrating Talons.

See page 7 of this manual (http://www.crosstheroadelectronics.com/Talon_User_Manual_1_3.pdf).
Calibrating sets the Talon output to follow the PWM signal. So full is full, and neutral is neutral.
Diplodicus
13-02-2014, 23:28
The only thing that is different is that the voltage drop over the two Talons is .24 volts and the voltage drop over all the other talons is 0 volts. The resistance across the positive leads is also higher than the other talons which have a resistance of close to 0.
Diplodicus
13-02-2014, 23:29
See page 7 of this manual (http://www.crosstheroadelectronics.com/Talon_User_Manual_1_3.pdf).
Calibrating sets the Talon output to follow the PWM signal. So full is full, and neutral is neutral.

Broken link
geomapguy
13-02-2014, 23:31
Broken link

http://www.crosstheroadelectronics.com/Talon_User_Manual_1_1.pdf
Ether
13-02-2014, 23:34
The only thing that is different is that the voltage drop over the two Talons is .24 volts and the voltage drop over all the other talons is 0 volts. The resistance across the positive leads is also higher than the other talons which have a resistance of close to 0.

What do you mean by voltage drop "over" the Talons? And resistance "across the positive leads" ? Could you post a quick sketch?
Chris_Ely
13-02-2014, 23:35
Broken link
Works for me.
Try one of the many other links in this thread.
mrnoble
13-02-2014, 23:35
Diplodocus says to tell you thank you, and that the calibration worked.
mrnoble
14-02-2014, 00:47
Seriously, thanks everyone. This kid tried everything he knew over several hours, and this was his first foray into asking CD for help. You helped several students see the value of this community as a resource for pooled knowledge.