Jaguar brake while disabled

[flameout]

We have found that we need our robot to slow down much faster when disabled than it currently does.

Therefore, I hope the Jaguar's (we are currently using Victors) brake feature will help us. However, I'm not sure if it has any effect when the robot is disabled; I suspect it doesn't.

Does it have an effect when the robot is disabled, or does the Jaguar shut down its output completely and do no electromagnetic braking?

Thank you for any help.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

It is my understanding that the brake function is engaged whenever the controller receives a zero speed command either from the throttle or from disable. One must ask the question as to what are you expecting the brake to do for you? The brake function is a dynamic electrical operation. It merely puts a short across the motor such that motion is turned into heat through the back driving of the motor. The faster the motor is spinning, the more current is turned into heat. If the motor is not turning, no current is developed and the brake does nothing.

[Jeffy]

It definately does still activate the brakes when disabled.

I noticed it alot last year when pushing around the robot. It slid sideways easier than it did forward and back.

[keehun]

I believe there are two settings on the Jaguars. You can either set it to coast or not. If I remember correctly, if you put it to coast, when you give it a "0" it won't lock the wheels, but if you set the jumper so that it doesn't coast, then it locks the wheels, much like what you are observing.

[flameout]

Great, that removes the complexity of adding a new switch and changing the programming. Hopefully, they'll be more effective at stopping the robot (with the Victors, it can take 15 feet to bring it to a stop, but with full reverse (done manually,) it can stop in 1.5 feet )

Thank you for your help.