Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

What is Zestos? A local burger/soft serve ice cream joint. Great tater tots. Some things you can sole source. Tater tots isn't one of them.

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

We are a small team and we don't work the crazy hours some of the top teams do. To keep programmers and practice/iteration going without conflict, we build two practice bots.

Also, we don't have a huge amount of funds compared to some top teams, this is a HUGE expense for us to upgrade speed controllers but we've weighed the benefits versus costs and are happy with the decision.

On average our robots have 9-13 speed controllers, so 40 is a good number.

I'm not at ALL concerned for a shortage. People are overreacting hugely over this. I've yet to see a well reasoned argument based on historical data as to why Vex will be unable to meet demand.

The talon launch argument is not relevant as that was (at the time) a BRAND NEW supplier. They had no way of predicting how many people would want as FRC is both a very risk avoidant community, and one that LOVES new toys.

Comparisons to mechanical product shortage are also not relevant.

When you then combine the company that released the talon with the company that has been the primary supplier for 10+ seasons (who has NEVER ran out during season) you have a recipe for success, and happy customers.

Separate from all this, I'm sure Vex is concerned with maintaining their reputation. They essentially just removed the entire backup plan (Jaguar, Talon, Victor), so all the eggs are in the new basket. I'm sure they're very well aware of the consequences of failing to deliver here. Any resources put towards more production of a guaranteed obsolete product (Jaguar, Talon, Victor) would be silly as well, as that just takes away from production of the new.

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

So...is Thermal Paste a suitable condiment for Tater Tots, or would it just serve to scald the roof of my mouth more quickly on contact?

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

I would recommend ketchup for tater tots. As previously stated thermal paste would stick to the roof of your mouth.

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

How well does peanut butter transmit heat?

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

~0.168 W/(m·K) (Page 15)

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

So you have 20 metric tons of peanut butter on a train leaving Chicago heading east at 50 mph...

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

That's actually peanut oil. While several other peanut products are listed, I couldn't find peanut butter. I guess I'll have to select another substance to transmit heat from my speed controllers on my edible robot. :(

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

...and it quickly runs out of track as it reaches the shore of Lake Michigan. Pick a different direction.

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

> go north

Crap.

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

> Use Peanut Butter on grue


On a topic I don't think has been covered. How's firmware updating on the new Talon done? Is it simpler that the Jags? And how's the error recovery for if we lose power or connection mid flash?

I assume upgrading firmware isn't really an issue for the Victor?

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

I assume the firmware on the Talon will be updated similar to the PCM and PDP, through the roboRIO webdash. It's straightforward and painless.
I don't know about error recovery during flash, but I'm sure Omar will take care of us.

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

As the grue's favorite diet is adventurers, it presumably ignores the peanut butter. You hear horrible gurgling noises from the darkness.

They list several communication channels in addition to CAN. I'd assume serial is likely to be a flashing option as well. If they can get a stable bootloader that they won't be upgrading in the flashes, they could presumably use that as a fallback option. I'm guessing it's going to be even harder to get to a JTAG port inside a sealed speed controller, though it'd be nice if they released a JTAG flashable image invade someone tried.

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

Great thread with lots of good info!

There is one question I was hoping would show up but hasn't - will there be an option to pre-order the controllers soon?

The features and prices seem set. I know there will be last minute tweaks based on beta testing. I know they can't provide an exact ship date yet. I am reassured that there will be enough parts.

It is easier with for the folks that handle the paperwork for our school district to be able to pre-order. There are already opportunities to pre-order the rest of the new components. A nice side benefit is that I don't have to keep checking VEX to see when the controllers actually go on sale - I can pay for them now and they will ship when they're ready (As Ron Popeil would say - "set it and forget it").

Thanks!

-matto-

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

I have not seen that the motor controllers are available for per-order. They are on the VEXpro site as coming soon.

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

I meant the motor controllers. I already have that on order =)

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

Oops, just realized this was the motor controller thread and not the beta test thread. I had opened both threads...

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

Anyone heard anything new about availability? The only source I've seen that says there will be plenty to go around is this thread. What reliable source has said that there will be Victor SP's and Talon SRX's available in quantity in time for kickoff? The most I've been able to do so far is create a wishlist on VexPro.

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

Read the posts by Paul, like this one: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...&postcount=185

I think he probably has some solid information at his fingertips about availability of the components, and I would consider him a reliable source, given his role in one of the companies involved.

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

Thanks Jon. I was really just wondering if there had been any updates. I guess there haven't, but thanks just the same.

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

Have any of the beta test teams gotten any of the new Talon SRX's yet, or have line of sight as to when they will get them? It looks like several teams have the new Victors in the beta systems, but I haven't seen anything on the Talon's. It's getting to be a bit late in the year to get them tested and FIRST approved.

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

Yes, Talon SRX speed controllers are in the hands of Beta Test teams. More information will have to wait.

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

Ours arrived on Friday, and should make it into the robot this week.

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

We got ours installed on Saturday but unfortunately we are waiting on the next release of the LabView software on Tuesday before we can program them.

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

I saw one drive a motor on Friday afternoon.

Greg McKaskle

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

Just got word from vex saying that the new talons will not be available to order till late December.

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

Can't speak for the Talon SRX, but I just played around with error recovery for the PCM. I pulled PCM power towards the beginning of the flash, towards the middle of the flash, and towards the end of the flash. In all cases I was able to recover.

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

Sweet. That was one of my big concerns when flashing CAN Jags.

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

Do the new talons communicate with CAN over the PWM cable? If so that's awesome.

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

Yes but its the other way around (I.e The new Talon SRX will run PWM over the CAN wires).

The new Talon will auto detect whether you are connect to a can bus or a pwm source.

On FRC you only need two wires for PWMs (signal and ground) to an FRC legal motor controller because all FRC motor controllors ignore the center power pin (these are only used for servos)

You can wire the 2 CAN wires on the Talon SRX to PWM signal and ground and it will auto detect PWM.

CAN_H = PWM Signal
CAN_L = PWM Ground

The Victor SP (which has a 3-pin PWM) can only be used in PWM mode, no CAN available

Hope this helps,
Kevin

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

Thanks, can you change PID values and configuration over CAN without a separate utility?

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

Just so everyone is aware, now that the 2015 rules are released:

R55 G

Re: blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015
 

I think it's fair to point out that we are nearing the end of build season, and presumably most teams have got their big orders in...

Vex is still in stock.
WCProducts is still in stock.
Andymark is still in stock.
RobotSpace is still in stock (For Victors, Talons are out. Based on everyone else having stock, I'm sure they will get replenished soon.)

So................. They handled it awesome in my opinion.