problem with motor speed

[bsbllpss]

my team has a setup of 2 motors using tank drive with a 2 wheel front drive when allowed full power the left motor has full power and it seems that the right motor only has half power both backwards and forwards it is not the joystick as i already switched those out any ideas?

[Ben Piecuch]

My first reaction is to determine if it's a mechanical problem, or an electrical problem. To test this, take the PWM cables at the R/C and reverse the ports they are in. So, if Left_drive is in port 1, and Right_drive is in port 2, put Right_drive in port 1 and so forth.

See if the speed problem stays with the same side, or if it switches to the opposite side. If the problem stays on the same side, it's probably a mechanical problem, and there is binding or drag in the system. If the problem moves to the other side of the robot, you have some electrical problems, either software related or otherwise.

Please report back with your findings.

Bengineer

[Sam2197]

check your programming. the one motor is running in reverse which tends to have a slightly slower speed. idk if half speed is what it would be. but check your programming and make sure that is all correct.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

First thing to check when in full throttle, the Victor LEDs should come on full brillance either Red or Green to indicate that the Victor is receiving a full throttle command. If this is not happening, your Victors may need calibration. Consult the manual for the 884, it has a full calibration procedure. If the LEDs are showing full throttle on both sides, then there can be one of two problems. Either you have significant losses from mechanical friction or electrical resistance. The mechanical friction can be checked with power off and wheels off the ground. Just turn one side and then the other. If one side is hard to turn, you know where to start.
If mechanical is not the problem, then check electrical. You can do this in a variety of ways, but a voltmeter at the power input of each Victor when driving will indicate if you are receiving the same voltage at each Victor. If you have several feet of wire in the slower side, that might be the problem. Double check all crimps and screws. Electrical losses usually mean heat so any connection that is getting hot would be a good place to start.