How to get maximum output from a Jag?

[Thundrio]

We are using bicycle wheels on our robot this year (ironically to make crossing the barrier easy), but we are having difficulty crossing a replica of the barrier in the center of the field. When we apply full forward using RobotDrive() (java, arcade drive, 4 motors), it gets the front wheels over the ramp and cuts out when the bottom ones hit the ramp.
We are using 4 black Jaguars updated to firmware 101 and connected with pwm connections. Our mechanical lead has done the math and says the four cim motors we are using should be able to output more power/torque(not sure if I'm using the right word) than we are getting. One of our mentors believes this is because we need to ramp up the speed over a period of time, which should let it cross the barrier. We tried switching the jaguars to automatic ramp mode, which did not help anything. Afterwards we reset it back to manual ramp and using bdc-comm tried to set the ramp values on the jags to 1000, but realized the value reset to 0 when the robot was powercycled (and after we manually changed the values, my code couldn't move the jags until after a powercycle)
Now the mentor believes that it is something in the RobotDrive/Jaguar wpilibj code (which I showed him) that is causing the ramp rate to reset, or to cause the robotdrive to not give the maximum output. As programming lead I explained that the jaguar will only accept values from -1 to 1, and by my understanding full forward sends the maximum output (I tested this by making a button that when pushed sent a value of 1/-1 to all of the Jaguars, which gave the same effect as full forward). My question is are we actually able to get more out of the Jaguars than just using RobotDrive() (without using encoders/CAN/PID loops), and if so how.
Also a quick wpilibj question if anyone can answer. I proved that I was sending the maximum value to the Jaguars by assigning them to a button and outputting the resulting speed using .get(). however I do not know how to read the Jaguars values when using robotdrive (if this is possible). When I create Jaguar objects that are assigned to the same ports as specified in RobotDrive, it will not run.

Any help on this would be great.

tyvmia

[artdutra04]

Can you post a photo of your robot? It sounds like the problem may be a mechanical problem from an inadequate drive train gear ratio. This would cause the CIM motors to run on the wrong side of the power curve, which would cause too much current draw and a tripped Jaguar over-current protection.

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by Thundrio

We are using bicycle wheels on our robot this year (ironically to make crossing the barrier easy), but we are having difficulty crossing a replica of the barrier in the center of the field. When we apply full forward using RobotDrive() (java, arcade drive, 4 motors), it gets the front wheels over the ramp and cuts out when the bottom ones hit the ramp.
We are using 4 black Jaguars updated to firmware 101 and connected with pwm connections. Our mechanical lead has done the math and says the four cim motors we are using should be able to output more power/torque(not sure if I'm using the right word) than we are getting. One of our mentors believes this is because we need to ramp up the speed over a period of time, which should let it cross the barrier. We tried switching the jaguars to automatic ramp mode, which did not help anything. Afterwards we reset it back to manual ramp and using bdc-comm tried to set the ramp values on the jags to 1000, but realized the value reset to 0 when the robot was powercycled (and after we manually changed the values, my code couldn't move the jags until after a powercycle)
Now the mentor believes that it is something in the RobotDrive/Jaguar wpilibj code (which I showed him) that is causing the ramp rate to reset, or to cause the robotdrive to not give the maximum output. As programming lead I explained that the jaguar will only accept values from -1 to 1, and by my understanding full forward sends the maximum output (I tested this by making a button that when pushed sent a value of 1/-1 to all of the Jaguars, which gave the same effect as full forward). My question is are we actually able to get more out of the Jaguars than just using RobotDrive() (without using encoders/CAN/PID loops), and if so how.
Also a quick wpilibj question if anyone can answer. I proved that I was sending the maximum value to the Jaguars by assigning them to a button and outputting the resulting speed using .get(). however I do not know how to read the Jaguars values when using robotdrive (if this is possible). When I create Jaguar objects that are assigned to the same ports as specified in RobotDrive, it will not run.

Any help on this would be great.

tyvmia

What wheel size and what gear ratio are you using. Sounds like you are tripping the breakers from overcurrent.

[Thundrio]

That's what my mech lead says now I showed this thread to him. He says he didn't know the Jaguars tripped from overcurrent (which explains everything according to him). Now he wants to use victors for driving instead.

I love being a programmer =)

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by Thundrio

That's what my mech lead says now I showed this thread to him. He says he didn't know the Jaguars tripped from overcurrent (which explains everything according to him). Now he wants to use victors for driving instead.

I love being a programmer =)

I don't think that'll help because I believe it's the snap action 40A breaker thats tripping.

The reason I believe it is tripping is because your gear ratio is too low for the size wheel you are using ... thus my earlier question as to your wheel size and gear ratio.

[Thundrio]

20 inch tires and he says the gear ratio is "big".

But the reason he says he doesn't think its the PD board is we had our mentor who put a "ring thing" (yes its a technical term, it was attached to his multimeter but idk what it was) around the out wires on the jags when we ran against the barrier and it wasn't drawing 40 amps from the jags.

ty for all the help.

[nitneylion452]

"Big" is a relative term. For 6" wheels, 12:1 is "big." For 20" tires, I'm not sure what I'd constitute as "big."

Also, the Jag's overcurrent protection shouldn't trip before your 40A breakers. It seems like you need a higher gear ratio that you have. It would be helpful to know what exactly it is you have though.

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by nitneylion452

Also, the Jag's overcurrent protection shouldn't trip before your 40A breakers.

Actually, this happens quite easily. I've seen numerous occasions where the Jags brownout for several seconds due to "over current" but the 40a snap action breakers are fine.

[Thundrio]

the mech lead says the gear ratio is 5:1 running of a andymark cimple box using 2 cims.

[nitneylion452]

Originally Posted by Thundrio

the mech lead says the gear ratio is 5:1 running of a andymark cimple box using 2 cims.

EDIT: A CIMple box's ratio is closer to 4.67:1. Just wanted to throw that out there.

EDIT 2: In this case, you need more torque rather than speed.

You need a much higher gear ratio. 5:1 is not nearly enough for 20" tires. 5:1 is barely enough for 6" kit wheels.

[rant] I hate that AndyMark is providing these gearboxes. You can't do nearly enough with them. The ToughBox was much better. Provided a lot of torque and gave good speed right out of the box (okay, right after assembly). [/rant] That's not to say that I don't LOVE AndyMark. They are among the best vendors to deal with.

@art

Really? I've been fed lies! Though I find it hard to believe that a we use a breaker that trips at a higher current than the Jag's internal protection.

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by Thundrio

the mech lead says the gear ratio is 5:1 running of a andymark cimple box using 2 cims.

There's your problem!

To run a robot with 20" wheels, you need an overall ratio between your CIM motors and the wheels of about 40:1 to 50:1. With 20" bicycle wheels and only the AndyMark Cimple Box ratio of 4.67:1, your robot is currently geared for about 99 ft/sec! With this gear ratio and wheels that large it's unlikely you'll even be able to drive even in a straight line without tripping the 40 amp breakers.

If you switch over to an AndyMark Toughbox (12.75:1 ratio), you can then use a final sprocket reduction (for example, a 12-tooth sprocket on the Toughbox output and a 42-tooth sprocket on one of your wheels). This will make your robot geared for about 9 ft/sec under nominal load, which should fix the over current issues with your drivetrain.

[remulasce]

Actually, you /do/ get a breaker that trips before the Jaguar- except only in theory. The jaguar protection is electronic and trips based on the combination of current and length of time drawn. It will allow 40 amps forever, 60 amps for 2 seconds, and something like 100amps for a fraction of a second (an exponential curve) before tripping. However, even with this extra allowance, the electronic protection will trip long before the breakers. If I recall correctly, the mechanism inside the breakers triggers based on temperature, so they can take bursts of current rather easily before they finally heat up and trip. That last sentence was mostly dim-memory, though as a former driver tasked with playing D, I can assure you that the jaguars trip long before the breakers.


And ditto on the gear ratio: When I was looking to motorize my bike, I was considering how to run two CIMples in series for a 25:1 ratio. And that was just to get a good top speed, I wasn't even going to hope for any sort of acceleration.

[Thundrio]

Ok, so just to be clear, this is not an issue that can be fixed through software (whether that is switching to victors, ramping, or what), we have to switch the gear ratio correct (I want to be 100% before I tell the mech lead its not my fault).

[Ether]

Originally Posted by Thundrio

(I want to be 100% before I tell the mech lead its not my fault).

The problem is, it's not clear that you have given a full description of your drivetrain. All you have told us is this:

Originally Posted by Thundrio

the mech lead says the gear ratio is 5:1 running of a andymark cimple box using 2 cims.

As was pointed out in a previous post, there is no 5:1 Cimple box. It's 4.67:1. That's not a big difference, but most folks would give the proper number so it raises questions. And, you haven't clearly stated what happens between the output shaft of the gearbox and the wheel. Are you direct-driving the wheels? Or do you have chains, and if so, what are the sprocket tooth counts on the driving and driven sprockets?

Also, you said you had 20" tires. How do you fit four 20" tires on a robot without violating the frame perimeter? Are they really 20" diameter? Are they staggered or something?

[Bill_B]

There are at least two ways the jaguars can "trip" out, or stop trying to send as much current as the motor can use. The first and most prominent one has already been explained. The jags will also reset if the voltage to them goes below a certain level. Voltage can drop due to excessive current being drawn from a mostly-discharged battery. It seems probable to me that a few frustrating runs with the described mechanical setup might have depleted the battery being used on their test. This would further complicate their problem diagnosis.

BTW I too want to see those 20" wheels, as they must be overlapped somehow AND the bumper placement must be something to behold for a frame that can support such wheels. Take some pictures. If you're not sure how to post them, mail to me and I'll put them up for you.