Backwards motor

[paulcd2000]

actually, the wires are right. red-red black-black, and if we change them, someone said we'd fail inspection

[FIRSTnameisJay]

My only concern with simply switching the wires is the actual performance of the motors. I might be wrong on this but those CIM motors travel slower when going backwards than they do when going forwards. Does anyone know if this is correct?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by paulcd2000

actually, the wires are right. red-red black-black, and if we change them, someone said we'd fail inspection

A common misconception. The rule for wire colors is
<R81> All wires distributing power with a constant polarity (i.e., except for Relay Module, Speed Controller, or
sensor outputs) must be color-coded as follows:
• Use Red, White, or Brown wire for +12 Vdc and +5 Vdc connections.
• Use Black or Blue wire for Common (-) connections.

Since the wires to motors are not constant polarity, you may reverse these leads to allow the motor to run in the needed direction. You may also make the change in software if you are so inclined. You will not fail inspection for reversing the motor leads at the output side of the controller.

[charrisTTI]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

A common misconception. The rule for wire colors is
<R81> All wires distributing power with a constant polarity (i.e., except for Relay Module, Speed Controller, or
sensor outputs) must be color-coded as follows:
• Use Red, White, or Brown wire for +12 Vdc and +5 Vdc connections.
• Use Black or Blue wire for Common (-) connections.

Since the wires to motors are not constant polarity, you may reverse these leads to allow the motor to run in the needed direction. You may also make the change in software if you are so inclined. You will not fail inspection for reversing the motor leads at the output side of the controller.

Remember that the left and right drive train assemblies are mirror images. If you wire them both the same and send the pwm ports the same values say 200, one set of wheels will be going forward and the other set of wheels will be going backwards. Nothing is wrong with the wiring, the software needs to send the opposite values to the left and right sides. If speed is x then 127 - x to one side and 127 + x to the other will have both sets going forward or both going in reverse