joystick problem

[archiver]

Posted by Mike Gray.

Engineer on team HOT from Huron Valley Schools sponsored by GM Milford Proving Ground.

Posted on 2/13/2000 1:04 PM MST


In Reply to: joystick problem posted by Igor Likhotkin on 2/12/2000 8:37 PM MST:



Joysticks tend to drift as a function of temperature. The biggest change occurs in the first 6 minutes, and settles at 99% in about 30 minutes. (Actual times may vary)

Suggestions:

1. Employ the DEADSTICK subroutine posted under White Papers at the InnovationFIRST website. It will help prevent 'leakage' and motor heating. You want all motors to be as cool as possible when the match starts.

2. Keep the joysticks warm by keeping power applied. The potentiometers in the joysticks are used in current mode (as a rheostat)rather than voltage mode.

If you have trimmed the joysticks in the pits and kept them warm, then they should return to proper trim 2-3 minutes after you plug in at the player station.

3. Connect an LED to an unused relay and program the relay to fire when the joystick is properly trimmed (126-128 A-D counts). Place the LED so as to be visible from the player station. This is more difficult than last year, as a relay module is now required. You could use the Dashboard to indicate a properly trimmed joystick too.