blog; Motor Controller Options for 2015

[Ideal_Nerd]

Just got word from vex saying that the new talons will not be available to order till late December.

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by Andrew Schreiber

And how's the error recovery for if we lose power or connection mid flash?

Can't speak for the Talon SRX, but I just played around with error recovery for the PCM. I pulled PCM power towards the beginning of the flash, towards the middle of the flash, and towards the end of the flash. In all cases I was able to recover.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by Joe Ross

Can't speak for the Talon SRX, but I just played around with error recovery for the PCM. I pulled PCM power towards the beginning of the flash, towards the middle of the flash, and towards the end of the flash. In all cases I was able to recover.

Sweet. That was one of my big concerns when flashing CAN Jags.

[mman1506]

Do the new talons communicate with CAN over the PWM cable? If so that's awesome.

[NotInControl]

Originally Posted by mman1506

Do the new talons communicate with CAN over the PWM cable? If so that's awesome.

Yes but its the other way around (I.e The new Talon SRX will run PWM over the CAN wires).

The new Talon will auto detect whether you are connect to a can bus or a pwm source.

On FRC you only need two wires for PWMs (signal and ground) to an FRC legal motor controller because all FRC motor controllors ignore the center power pin (these are only used for servos)

You can wire the 2 CAN wires on the Talon SRX to PWM signal and ground and it will auto detect PWM.

CAN_H = PWM Signal
CAN_L = PWM Ground

The Victor SP (which has a 3-pin PWM) can only be used in PWM mode, no CAN available

Hope this helps,
Kevin

[mman1506]

Originally Posted by NotInControl

Yes but its the other way around (I.e The new Talon SRX will run PWM over the CAN wires).

The new Talon will auto detect whether you are connect to a can bus or a pwm source.

On FRC you only need two wires for PWMs (signal and ground) to an FRC legal motor controller because all FRC motor controllors ignore the center power pin (these are only used for servos)

You can wire the 2 CAN wires on the Talon SRX to PWM signal and ground and it will auto detect PWM.

CAN_H = PWM Signal
CAN_L = PWM Ground

The Victor SP (which has a 3-pin PWM) can only be used in PWM mode, no CAN available

Hope this helps,
Kevin

Thanks, can you change PID values and configuration over CAN without a separate utility?

[Ether]

Originally Posted by Ether

The body is made of aluminum, and it is isolated from the electronics inside. If you're concerned about cooling, rub some thermal paste on it and bolt it to an aluminum plate.

Originally Posted by cgmv123

Or don't risk violating the rule against modifying electronics and add a fan instead.

Originally Posted by Ether

What rule did you have in mind, that prohibits mounting a motor controller using the provided mounting holes?

The thermal paste could be omitted, if that is the concern.

Originally Posted by cgmv123

Yes, that would be the concern.

Just so everyone is aware, now that the 2015 rules are released:

R55 G

[AdamHeard]

I think it's fair to point out that we are nearing the end of build season, and presumably most teams have got their big orders in...

Vex is still in stock.
WCProducts is still in stock.
Andymark is still in stock.
RobotSpace is still in stock (For Victors, Talons are out. Based on everyone else having stock, I'm sure they will get replenished soon.)

So................. They handled it awesome in my opinion.