Connecting PWM cables to speed controllers (Jag/vic) is a hassle/problem

[Team 2524]

Is there some sort of methodology to connecting PWM cables to the DSC? I spend half the time trying to place the cable and only a few minutes in testing out code . This is a big problem since we're short on time at the competition.

Does anyone have any advice on how to make the connection easier?

In my experience, the victors are SO MUCH easier to connect the PWM cables. The jaguars we had a big problem with it >.<.

edit: not DSC but jag/vic

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Why do you need to change PWMs after you wire the robot? The Clip on the side of the DSC is there to keep the PWM cables in place. Simply push the tab to the side and the PWM cable should just pull out.

[Team 2524]

Sorry, What i meant to say was

"Is there some sort of methodology to connecting PWM cables to the jag/vic? "

The DSC sides we don't have a problem with. It's removing the cables from the speed controllers and putting them back on.

[MagiChau]

Though this is avoiding the issue completely, CAN instead of PWM. A lot less messy and easier to change connections when all you have is 4-pin phone cables between the jaguars and the 2CAN.

[Team 2524]

That would be the logical thing to do but it's so late already.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Practice, practice, practice.

[Vikesrock]

You may be doing something incorrectly or the hard way if you are having difficulty inserting the male PWM pins into the Jaguar. In my experience it is much more difficult to assure that the pins actually make it into the receptacles in the Victor than it is in the Jaguar, where the housing is much shallower.

The cable should just plug right into the Jaguar, then you can slide the cable behind the plastic strain relief hook directly in front of the connector. To remove the cable reverse the process, slide the wire out from behind the hook then simply pull it up vertically out of the socket.

Are you sure you are plugging the PWM cables into the right place on the Jaguar and in the correct orientation? Are you using PWM cables that have a different housing than those provided in the Kit of Parts?

[Danny Diaz]

Originally Posted by Vikesrock

In my experience it is much more difficult to assure that the pins actually make it into the receptacles in the Victor than it is in the Jaguar, where the housing is much shallower.

Agreed. The victors we're using this year (884's ordered this year) don't seem to like our male PWM connectors - we have to unplug/plug/unplug/plug until the Victor finally makes contact and shows the "idle" light config. I thought for sure there was something in the hole, but I didn't see anything preventing the Victors from mating correctly with the PWM cables. I thought it was the cables, too, but perfectly working cables (5-6 of them) on other devices (such as other Victors and Jags) wouldn't even make the proper "connection." I don't know why it's such a pain in the butt, but I promise we're not unplugging them. Ever.

-Danny

[Team 2524]

We ordered 2 new jaguars and they work fine. i hope we don't run into this issue at the competition

Out of the 4 jaguars we received in the KOP, only one is still working. one blew out and the other two are the ones we're having trouble with.

Also Danny Diaz I've noticed that issue with the new victors too. We are still able to plug it into the slot.

[Geek 2.0]

Originally Posted by MagiChau

Though this is avoiding the issue completely, CAN instead of PWM. A lot less messy and easier to change connections when all you have is 4-pin phone cables between the jaguars and the 2CAN.

While I agree with this, CAN is not for everyone. We used it, but our new programmers took a bit of time learning the programming behind them, such as catching exceptions or the setup of the Jags. For certain applications, PWM is easier.

[EricVanWyk]

Some of the PWM cables have an extra ridge of plastic on them. Snip it off and they should go in easier.

Originally Posted by MagiChau

Though this is avoiding the issue completely, CAN instead of PWM. A lot less messy and easier to change connections when all you have is 4-pin phone cables between the jaguars and the 2CAN.

Although I'm a huge fan of CAN, post-ship isn't the right time to start on it.