Arduino Motor Controller

[BN1557]

Hey all! Has anyone ever tried to run Victors and motors from an Arduino? Our team is trying it as a temporary test for a drive train, and I was wondering if anyone has an ideas. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[cgmv123]

We've done it. It's not that hard. Speed controllers are controlled just like servos. Use the Arduino servo library.

[BN1557]

Thanks!

[Ether]

Originally Posted by BN1557

Hey all! Has anyone ever tried to run Victors and motors from an Arduino? Our team is trying it as a temporary test for a drive train, and I was wondering if anyone has an ideas. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Will the drivetrain be stationary (e.g. up on blocks) or mobil?

[BN1557]

Originally Posted by Ether

Will the drivetrain be stationary (e.g. up on blocks) or mobil?

It will be mobile. Thanks for the reply!

[billbo911]

One thing to consider while using the Servo library is you can also use writeMicroseconds. That will allow you to use valued outside the standard 1-2 ms range for controllers that can handle it.

[Monochron]

We did this a while back and if there is one thing I recommend is trying to emulate some of the safety features built into the typical FRC control system.

For instance if you are wireless with the Arduino, have a watchdog that will disable your drive motors if you move out of range. Chasing down a rampaging robot stuck in full speed is no fun.

[ajlapp]

This definitely works. We have an entire product based on the idea of running robots with Arduinos.

You the servo library for basic functions.

Or...load the RobotOpen library...this will also give you the ability to control the speed controller with a gamepad using our open-source driver station.

The library designed for the RobotOpen Control Shield should work fine on a standard Arduino. You'll have to map some of the pins differently, if not using our shield, but it can be done.

Send me a PM if you have any specific questions.

Re: Arduino Motor Controller
We did this a while back and if there is one thing I recommend is trying to emulate some of the safety features built into the typical FRC control system.

The RobotOpen library adds these types of safety features and gives you a reliable method for enable/disable.

[BN1557]

Thanks for all the help. I appreciate it!