problem with speed controller

[Jim E]

The speed controllers should blink yellow without a PWM input. Once a signal is identified, they will be solid yellow( or orange). If the speed controller turns red, this means it has lost it's pwm signal through a hardware fault, or through a high current fault.

Check your software. Do not switch too fast from 127 to 255. This will create a current surge in the controller, and over time, damage the controller. It is always better to pass through (127) briefly before changing direction, or gradually increase the speed from 127 to the desired speed. Do not make the $120 mistake. You will not even notice the slower transition either, since we are talking milliseconds in delay times.

[Ricky Q.]

Originally Posted by Jim E

The speed controllers should blink yellow without a PWM input. Once a signal is identified, they will be solid yellow( or orange). If the speed controller turns red, this means it has lost it's pwm signal through a hardware fault, or through a high current fault.

Check your software. Do not switch too fast from 127 to 255. This will create a current surge in the controller, and over time, damage the controller. It is always better to pass through (127) briefly before changing direction, or gradually increase the speed from 127 to the desired speed. Do not make the $120 mistake. You will not even notice the slower transition either, since we are talking milliseconds in delay times.

Red actually means full reverse, not a problem with the 884, just wanted to make sure the LED color signals were clear.

Originally Posted by IFI Manual

LED Indicator Status
• Green = Full Forward
• Orange = Neutral / Brake
• Red = Full Reverse
• Flashing Orange = no PWM

[seanl]

it could be that the h bridge on the victor is blown. it happened to us at LA, lucky we had a spare. one of the none electrical people put the m+ and m- together. how exactly is the light behaving. because going to red is normal because its indicating its on reverse, but were you trying to go reverse or forward. and is it only the victor thats turning off or the whole system.

[Jim E]

Not to discount the IFI manual, but we have had 884 controllers in the past blink red that we traced to damaged controllers. They still were operational, but were not repeatable to the PWM input signals being sent.

A 30 Amp breaker will not protect the 884 from a 50+A momentary spike if changing direction too fast. This spike is in micro-seconds, a breaker will average currents over a period of time. All of that momentum from full forward to full reverse has to go somewhere. The current spike is probably not measurable, but over time, if done enough, will breakdown any circuitry protection built into the 884.

This year we implemented controlled speeds to the controllers. We haven't lost one yet. We cannot say that for the previous 2 years.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

To go along with the original problem and folllowing up on Ricky's post...
A flashing red indicator is likely from the controller getting a full reverse command and the breaker tripping. There is no flashing red programmed into the controller. It sounds like the motor wiring is shorted. That way high currents are developed when the controller is told to apply power to the motor.

[tseres]

i don't know, but could it be your program?

[RyanN]

Here is a link to the user guide for the 884: http://ifirobotics.com/docs/ifi-v884...al-9-25-06.pdf

I agree with Al... It sounds like you have a short from the motor output side. I think that this can also happen if you have the brake set and you have the input side mixed up with the output side. The input side is where the PWM cable comes into the victor. Another idea is that something is shorted over the transistors under the cooling fan. Simply take off the fan and inspect each transistor for any metal shavings. I would look at all the other victors as well and compare it with this faulty one or replace the victor and see if a new one works. There are many combinations of things that could be going on.
The only diagnostic red blinking light on the victor would be after a failed calibration.
To calibrate follow the directions below.

User Calibration:
1. Power ON the speed controller.
2. Press and hold the Cal button. After a moment, the
LED indicator on the Victor will begin alternating
between RED and GREEN to indicate a cal mode.
3. While continuing to hold the Cal button, move the
joystick to the maximum and minimum positions.
This can be done in any order and as many times as
desired.
4. While continuing to hold the Cal button, return the
joystick to center (neutral position).
5. Release the Cal button.
6. A flashing GREEN indicator confirms a successful
calibration.
7. A flashing RED indicator denotes an unsuccessful
calibration.
An unsuccessful calibration occurs when either:
a) Insufficient joystick travel was detected in forward
and/or reverse.
b) The trim tab is too far from center.
Resetting Calibration to Factory Pre-calibration:
1. Power OFF the speed controller.
2. Press and hold the Cal button.
3. While continuing to hold the Cal button, Power ON
the speed controller.
4. A flashing GREEN indicator denotes calibration is
reset. Release the Cal button.

Hopefully this helps out...