Mentor seeking advice.

[Jacob C.]

Originally Posted by BBray_T1296

I'm no programmer, but I think a read through the FRC Control System page might be a decent place to start

Agreed - This is probably the best place to start.

If you want to know more about the Talons specifically, CTR has their Talon User Guide on the Talon product page that is extremely useful. There's also links there for their software reference guide and github repository that contains a lot of code examples.


As far as kits... there's a few options that come to mind, but most of them aren't necessarily ideal.

In no specific order:

- The best option in my opinion would be to borrow some components from your team if they'll let you (either post-season or spares if they have them), but I know that's not always an option.

- AndyMark does sell a control kit , but as it's $1,195 I don't think it's exactly what you're looking for.

- If you're willing to go back a couple years and your team still has the old components around that they're willing to lend you (since they're not competition legal anymore), you could use the "old" 4-slot CRio and power distribution board, digital sidecar, etc. This isn't necessarily recommended because there have been several changes over the last couple years and you'll have to re-learn some stuff for the current control system, but it's free.

- The last option I can think of is probably the most cost-efficient if you can't borrow components from your team, but it's also the least FRC specific. CTR sells a Hero board that can be used for development and is only $60. It's C# and uses the .NET framework as opposed to LabView or C++ and the Rio architecture, but the general principles of robot control are the same - you could translate code without too much difficulty.

The Hero uses CAN, so you could buy a couple Talons to use with it, or you can use a couple of the gadgeteer ports on the Hero for PWM and use any of the other FRC legal motor controllers (Having used them this year, my new personal favorite is the Talons. They're a bit more expensive but you can do a LOT with them and the CAN bus.).

The only other thing you would need with this setup is a reliable power supply for the board and any motor controllers you would be using. The PDP is expensive, but if you have an old blue PDB lying around (again, borrowing team components) or another power distribution method, you could get a VRM to regulate power for the Hero board.

Add in a $20 - $30 USB joystick/gamepad and the electrical components with this method (not counting some kind of power distribution) would run you about $270 with the board and two motor controllers. Still a decent chunk of change but a lot cheaper than a whole control system if you're just trying to learn basic robot control.


Sorry for the wall of text, I tend to ramble a bit.

Your best option is still borrowing components, but in the mean time take a look at the control system documentation mentioned. CD is happy to help if you have more questions or you can PM me.

Good Luck!