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Originally Posted by nehalita
okay, i want to know what encoders/pots/gyros everyone else is using:
optical or mechanical?
what type?
from where?
and if possible, how much?
thanks!
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You will be pleased to know that the kit came with a pair sensors very similar to encoders. They are Called HAL effect sensors. Basically they sense metal things extremely near them. They are meant to to be mounted so that they are almost up against the teeth of a gear or sprocket. each time the gear/sprocket rotates and and a tooth passes them, they output a pulse. You can count these pulses to figure out how far you have gone. With some trickery you can also figure out how fast you are going. The only difference in the output from these and the output from encoders is that encoders can tell you what direction you are going. These cannon. This really isn't a problem if you assume your robot is moving in the direction you are telling it to.
As far as potentiometers go, any 100k potentiometer will do. Potentiometers are extremely useful for figuring out the position of some mechanism with a limited range of motion. When connected to an analog input as described in the RC manual, they will tell you their exact position. Potentiometers are available from radio shack for a few bucks.
Gyros are useful too, but if you are new to all of this i would probably stick toward safer options. There is a gyro included in the kit, buti have not messed with it at all. It will tell you your radial acceleration. If you want to turn this into a heading, you must take the second integral of this. If you have no idea what a second integral is then ask someone in calculus.