Having trouble with Talons
 

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?

Re: Having trouble with Talons
 

Have you calibrated the Talons?

Re: Having trouble with Talons
 

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.

Re: Having trouble with Talons
 

Actually the problem itself might be the Talons...Have you calibrated them??

Re: Having trouble with Talons
 

What do you mean by calibrating? I have never heard of calibrating Talons.

Re: Having trouble with Talons
 

Secrets like this are often kept in the manual.

http://www.crosstheroadelectronics.c...Manual_1_1.pdf

Re: Having trouble with Talons
 

Re: Having trouble with Talons
 

Voltage drops with longer wires. The effect isn't huge (on the order of 10ths of a volt, based on this calculator) on an FRC robot scale, but it may explain your problem. Are the problematic Talons farther from the PD board than the others?

Re: Having trouble with Talons
 

See page 7 of this manual.
Calibrating sets the Talon output to follow the PWM signal. So full is full, and neutral is neutral.

Re: Having trouble with Talons
 

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.

Re: Having trouble with Talons
 

Broken link

Re: Having trouble with Talons
 

Re: Having trouble with Talons
 

What do you mean by voltage drop "over" the Talons? And resistance "across the positive leads" ? Could you post a quick sketch?

Re: Having trouble with Talons
 

Works for me.
Try one of the many other links in this thread.

Re: Having trouble with Talons
 

Diplodocus says to tell you thank you, and that the calibration worked.

Re: Having trouble with Talons
 

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.