Robot Disabled, yet I can still actuate a Cylinder- HELP!

[Dave Flowerday]

Originally Posted by purduephotog

I can move the joysticks around and no movement occurs. If I hit the two buttons to fire the claw, the claw actuates. I can continuously open and close the claw while still not being able to drive the robot.

You do have the pump and claw relays plugged into a relay output (and not a digital I/O), right? Sorry, I know it probably sounds like a stupid question, but if so it could explain why things work when disabled. If it is a relay output (and the OI disabled light is solid orange) then that's a scary situation indeed.

[Dave Scheck]

I agree with DaveF's suggestion to check the wiring.

The OI shows a solid orange 'disabled' LED, and the robot's controller is flickering "disabled'.

This really concerns me. Normally, solid at the OI means disabled, yet the flickering at the RC means autonomous. I find it really hard to believe that code that you've written was able to put the robot in this state since the master code is what handles the enable/disable state of the robot.

Is this reproducible? Were you using a radio or were you tethered when this happened?

[purduephotog]

Originally Posted by Dave Scheck

I agree with DaveF's suggestion to check the wiring.

This really concerns me. Normally, solid at the OI means disabled, yet the flickering at the RC means autonomous. I find it really hard to believe that code that you've written was able to put the robot in this state since the master code is what handles the enable/disable state of the robot.

Is this reproducible? Were you using a radio or were you tethered when this happened?

Ehhh, most people called the robot light solid, but I could see a hint of flicker. I think it was more of a packet issue than anything else.

The OI is solid. When I hit autonomous with the OI, it goes to a maybe 20hz flicker.

[purduephotog]

Originally Posted by Dave Flowerday

You do have the pump and claw relays plugged into a relay output (and not a digital I/O), right? Sorry, I know it probably sounds like a stupid question, but if so it could explain why things work when disabled. If it is a relay output (and the OI disabled light is solid orange) then that's a scary situation indeed.

No Dave, it's not a stupid question- it IS plugged into a Digital I/O connector.

I swear the OI disabled light is solid orange. If the robot wasn't crated I'd put a video up.

Could you, uhhh, kindly relate why the IO might be triggering it this way?

(Wired, from memory, from the student that told me this is how:

Digital IO pin 16 to SPIKE relay, relay to valve, vale to cylinder.

[6600gt]

Originally Posted by purduephotog

No Dave, it's not a stupid question- it IS plugged into a Digital I/O connector.

I swear the OI disabled light is solid orange. If the robot wasn't crated I'd put a video up.

Could you, uhhh, kindly relate why the IO might be triggering it this way?

(Wired, from memory, from the student that told me this is how:

Digital IO pin 16 to SPIKE relay, relay to valve, vale to cylinder.

Digital I/O are NOT for SPIKEs. There is a reason for the 8 relay outputs on RC...

Digital I/O are always active!

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by purduephotog

No Dave, it's not a stupid question- it IS plugged into a Digital I/O connector...Could you, uhhh, kindly relate why the IO might be triggering it this way?

Digital outputs do not get disabled.

Your robot is wired illegally.

Move the Spike to a relay output NOW (or as soon as you get your robot out of its crate at a competition).

[Dave Flowerday]

Originally Posted by purduephotog

No Dave, it's not a stupid question- it IS plugged into a Digital I/O connector.

That would be your problem. As others have already pointed out, Spikes need to be on the relay outputs only. Digital I/Os are meant for inputs like sensors or benign outputs like LEDs.

[purduephotog]

Originally Posted by Dave Flowerday

That would be your problem. As others have already pointed out, Spikes need to be on the relay outputs only. Digital I/Os are meant for inputs like sensors or benign outputs like LEDs.

*ducks and hides*

Thanks all. I'm guessing that the compressor shouldn't be wired to the digital IO either... ?

Limit switches OK?

[esquared]

Limit switch good for Digital I/O.
Compressor bad for Digital I/O.

What is the Spike output wiring going to the compressor? The compressor is not fond of being driven in reverse...

[purduephotog]

Originally Posted by esquared

Limit switch good for Digital I/O.
Compressor bad for Digital I/O.

What is the Spike output wiring going to the compressor? The compressor is not fond of being driven in reverse...

Compressor runs forward correctly- we're careful like that....

[geeknerd99]

Originally Posted by esquared

Limit switch good for Digital I/O.
Compressor bad for Digital I/O.

What is the Spike output wiring going to the compressor? The compressor is not fond of being driven in reverse...

We tested it in reverse for a few seconds, just to see what happens (we were hunting for a short circuit). It appears to have run properly...

[esquared]

Originally Posted by geeknerd99

We tested it in reverse for a few seconds, just to see what happens (we were hunting for a short circuit). It appears to have run properly...

The compressor documentation states to avoid running it in reverse. I would hope it wouldn't blow up in the course of a few seconds, but where pneumatics are concerned better safe than sorry