Build a robot with a $1000 budget

[StevenB]

IFI sells Victors under the VexPro name.

Before you start trying to chase down a specific controller, take a step back and figure out what you need.
Figure out what size and weight you're dealing with, and use that information to select your motors. Given the size of your motors, figure out what current your motor drivers (speed controllers) need to be able to output. From there, you can select a motor driver. My gut feeling is that a Victor is way overkill, so I encourage you to look around at all of your options.

The Arduino is a great controller because of its ease of use and relatively low cost. It doesn't have "PWM ports" like we're used to in FIRST (where there's a set of 3-pin headers with power, ground, and signal), but it definitely does have PWM output. Look closely at the picture and you'll see them in the top-right corner of the board. You'll have to manually connect power and ground, or buy a board like this.

[thefro526]

Brandon,

I'd second the vex controller suggestion just because of how available they are and they're pretty inexpensive and easy to program.

For motor controllers I'd check with some local FRC teams and see if they have any older Victors or something that they'd be willing to give up. Shoot, I'm pretty sure I have one or two Victor 883s I'd be willing to give up to a good cause if I can find them.

[dtengineering]

You should be able to get a used laptop (for free) with a serial port on it.

The new Jags (are they still $80 with an FRC discount?) will accept a serial input, and have inputs for pots and encoders built in to them.

For something smaller, check out ROBOT or SERVO for servo controller boards that provide similar function, but for multiple servo motors.

All the laptop needs to do is send serial signals to the Jags (or servo board) saying "go to this position" or "rotate at this speed".

You might want to check out http://www.robotsee.com/ for some interesting options... like using an old Android phone as your controller, or tying in a webcam or joystick to that old donated laptop.

For the ultimate in "cheap" though, you can run two 1 amp brushed motors off an L293D H-bridge chip (a buck or two, it's "big sibling" 2A version the 298 is just a bit more) and control it all with an Arduino or PIC.

Jason