Is it possible to control a Jaguar with a potentiometer?

[jspatz1]

Do you have access to a Vex controller? Small and portable, remote RC control.

[dtengineering]

Originally Posted by DonRotolo

A 556 also is a one chip solution. For me, a non-programmed solution is almost always superior to one needing programming. (Not that I dislike programming, it just seems like overkill)
Just like Ham radio operators, robot people are cheapskates. Thus the attraction of building a solution for $4 to avoid spending $25.

True, but the PIC wouldn't need external capacitors or resistors.... well, other than the pot.

But I gotta admit... the 556 even with the resistors and the caps would be slightly cheaper than the PIC... much cheaper if you didn't already have some programming hardware around.

I've used both 555's and microcontrollers in projects... I tend to like the microcontroller route because when I screw something up I can usually fix it by upgrading the software. (Why, yes. I do use Windows, why do you ask?)

Jason

[ratdude747]

If it were me I'd just use BDC-Comm and build a CAN to Serial Cable and a CAN terminator and use a laptop (or netbook with a USB to serial adapter).

Then again, I did write a paper on doing such so my opinion is kinda biased?

But really, all one needs is a laptop (with windows and serial means ^ ), a junked serial cable, two RJ12 (or an RJ 12 and an RJ 11), and a 100 ohm resistor. That could be built for say, $5 (or less if you already have CAN parts to your disposal). It's also pretty easy if you know how to use a multimeter and how to solder. The one I built to make my paper took like 10 minutes to make, and that was with pausing to snap pictures.

[anthonyttu]

My quick calculations for somebody to buy the resistors, capacitor and 555 would be $6.30
TI's launch pad $4.30
Laptop CAN method $1.80 (assuming you have a computer)
RC Tx/Rx $36.50 (wireless method for "safe testing")
Jumper wires $0.12

PS you only "need" the terminator for high baud rates. Not critical for testing

[Ether]

Originally Posted by anthonyttu

My quick calculations for somebody to buy the resistors, capacitor and 555 would be $6.30
TI's launch pad $4.30
Laptop CAN method $1.80 (assuming you have a computer)
RC Tx/Rx $36.50 (wireless method for "safe testing")
Jumper wires $0.12

PS you only "need" the terminator for high baud rates. Not critical for testing

You left one out:

RS-232 method: $0.10 for a diode.

[ratdude747]

Originally Posted by anthonyttu

PS you only "need" the terminator for high baud rates. Not critical for testing

Yeah, but as cheap as (and common) as 100 ohm resistors are, why not?

Maybe they changed the firmware (or its a gray jag specific issue), but I somehow I remember back in 2011 (the last time I worked hands on with jags directly) a missing terminator would knock out the last jag in the string (it happened before); the last jag became the terminator. In the case of a solo jag, that meant that the jag wouldn't work at all.

[roystur44]

Here is a kit you can teach the kids about PWM at Jameco

http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/sto...0001_120539_-1

The link has a funny video that is pretty good.

[anthonyttu]

The grey Jags and the black Jags dont have the same hardware inside them. When TI purchased Luminary Micro (the creator of the grey Jag) they changed a lot more then software.