WildStang 2015 Beta Testing blog

[SteveGarward]

So, one day, we got this email...

2015 Beta Testing - You've been selected!

The sound of students heads exploding could be heard from my house 35 miles away.

We're excited to be one of the beta testing teams for the new 2015 control system. We've set up a blog to document some of our experiences with the new system. As we post new information, we'll update this thread to let you know.

The blog is here: http://wildstang.org/blog/

First post is up now: First impressions

[SteveGarward]

Our apologies. And earlier issue with images not showing has now been fixed.

[billbo911]

Originally Posted by SteveGarward

Our apologies. And earlier issue with images not showing has now been fixed.

I'm still not seeing any images on either link.

I am using Chrome on Win 8.
I also tried IE under Win 8 and have the same issue.

[SteveGarward]

Ok, this time for sure! Pages my be cached, so if they're still broken, try a shift+refresh.

[SteveGarward]

Hi everyone

We've been doing some more work, setting up a benchtop testing board. We're working on a bigger update, but here's a little more info as we progress..

http://wildstang.org/blog/?p=176

[rich2202]

Thanks for the info. I look forward to updates.

A suggestion for future blogs would be:

Side by side comparison of the new/prior power distribution boards. You have already mentioned stuff like no LED to show circuit is working.

Similar type comparison when you test the pneumatic setup.

Similar type comparison to the old digital and analog boards. Same number of connections? Do they work the same? etc.

Thanks!

[SteveGarward]

Thanks for the feedback.

We honestly thought there had been a number of 'before and after' comparisons by other teams, so wanted to focus on what we had found interesting or important to note about the new system. But, we'll keep it in mind for future posts.

[JesseK]

Steve - this looks great so far! Thanks for taking this approach (pointing out what you find interesting). I've seen two BETA teams up close now and had no idea there was a cover on the PDB for the battery cables. It's one of those 'hidden in plain sight' things that's pretty nifty. There are also important nuances you're explaining which aren't always brought across in the questions asked when seeing a board in person. For example, the 5V 2A from the VRM may not be an option for custom circuits if it continues to be dedicated to the wireless.

[Ether]

Originally Posted by JesseK

I've seen two BETA teams up close now and had no idea there was a cover on the PDB for the battery cables.

See 0:28 in this YouTube video posted Aug 27th.

[JesseK]

Originally Posted by Ether

See 0:28 in this YouTube video posted Aug 27th.

I can't read their voices while sitting here watching my wife's guitly-pleasure TV with her

I'll check their videos out sometime, thanks for the link.

[SteveGarward]

Hi everyone

New post up today about our plans (and changes to those plans) for an MXP expansion board.

Any feedback welcome.

[SteveGarward]

Originally Posted by JesseK

For example, the 5V 2A from the VRM may not be an option for custom circuits if it continues to be dedicated to the wireless.

Thanks for the feedback. For the above, the VRM has two outputs for each of the voltage/current combinations. So, two each of:
5V @ 500mA
5V @ 2A
12V @ 500mA
12V @ 2A

If you want to use the same circuit powering the wireless is up to you.

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by SteveGarward

Thanks for the feedback. For the above, the VRM has two outputs for each of the voltage/current combinations. So, two each of:
5V @ 500mA
5V @ 2A
12V @ 500mA
12V @ 2A

If you want to use the same circuit powering the wireless is up to you.

The outputs are not separate. For example, there is one 5V @ 2A supply with 2 connectors. For that reason, I speculate that nothing else will be allowed to be connected to the 5v 2A supply besides the radio, but I have no insight into the rules.

See the "Briding Ouputs of VRM for more Current possible" thread on the beta forums.

[SteveGarward]

Yes, sorry. I should have been more clear and said connectors.

Thanks Joe for clarifying.

(Late nights and long weeks make Steve something something...)

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by SteveGarward

If you want to use the same circuit powering the wireless is up to you.

A 2015 robot rule might make that decision for you.

Based on the available power from the VRM, and on the expectation of having the same wireless bridge next year as we used this year, I wouldn't count on being permitted to use the VRM 5 volt output for anything else.