Victor 888: Upgrade to the Victor 884

[scottandme]

I was just looking at the VEX site, planning to buy some spare 884's, and I noticed this message on the page:

"A new and improved version of the Victor 884, the Victor 888, will be available Thanksgiving 2012. The Victor 888 will include a linearized output."

http://www.vexrobotics.com/products/...ontroller.html

Anybody have any inside information? Sounds like a nice improvement to the 884's, and removes the need to linearize the output via code.

Maybe wishful thinking, but it would be nice to hear if they are going to be FRC legal for the 2013 game sometime before January 5th.

[Mk.32]

There is also new the Talon controller from cross road electronics that was talked about at IRI.

[IndySam]

Hmmm, wonder if there is a connection there?

A family connection

[AlexD744]

Originally Posted by Mk.32

There is also new the Talon controller from cross road electronics that was talked about at IRI.

I'm really hoping the talon become legal for use. From the limited time I had looking at it, it seemed a really high quality product.

[Gdeaver]

Our lead Mentor picked up a cut sheet on the Talon at IRI. Info that was listed.
15khz switching frequency, 100 amp max, 60 amp continuous, 800 micro- ohm per leg, lock anti-phase rectification.
The Talon departs from the Victor and Jag by using a heat sink and optional fan.
I would suggest that they not say anything about a fan being optional and just put a fan on it powered all the time. There are some graphs of time, current and temperature. No info on the specifics of the test set up for the graphs. They also show a linear response. IFI has modified the Victor to have a linear response. I understand they are doing it in software. Is the Talon linear because off the 15khz switching frequency? Can the Talon hold up to First abuse? Time will tell. Whats the price? Will the Talon because of the switching frequency have problems with the window motors like the jag? If Cross the road would get some to us we would being willing to beat the hell out of them this fall.

[jwfoss]

If I remember correctly, there was a number of teams running the Talon motor controller at IRI and it seemed well up to the challenge. Perhaps they can speak up here.

I spent some time at their booth talking to them about it. Besides the linear output another nice feature was a tighter fit on the pwm cable (I saw them lift the controller while it was powered up by the pwn cable)

The heat sink looked nice and seemed to go further with protecting the internals of the unit, and it still retained mounting holes for a standard fan.

[Brian Selle]

Originally Posted by jwfoss

Besides the linear output another nice feature was a tighter fit on the pwm cable (I saw them lift the controller while it was powered up by the pwn cable)

Does it also work with CAN?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by btslaser

Does it also work with CAN?

Negative. At least, I didn't see any CAN ports on the unit at IRI.

[Mike Copioli]

Originally Posted by btslaser

Does it also work with CAN?

This version of the Talon does not support CAN.

[waialua359]

Originally Posted by jwfoss

If I remember correctly, there was a number of teams running the Talon motor controller at IRI and it seemed well up to the challenge. Perhaps they can speak up here.

I spent some time at their booth talking to them about it. Besides the linear output another nice feature was a tighter fit on the pwm cable (I saw them lift the controller while it was powered up by the pwn cable)

The heat sink looked nice and seemed to go further with protecting the internals of the unit, and it still retained mounting holes for a standard fan.

This is interesting.
I never saw Mike talk about it at all when I saw the Talon, but this alone would make me choose this over the current 884s, even with the price difference. What about the 888's?
We've had instances with failed Jags before and never went back to them, other than a few robot functions for "smoother" output. The Victors size and reliabilty are so much better, other than the occasional poor connection with the PWM input.

[Gdeaver]

It's my understanding that the only difference between a 884 and a 888 is that the out put has been made linear. If you have gown to love the Victors the 888 is the same only one little issue has been fixed. Interesting that this year we lost 2 884's however these were very old units that had been abused on many other robots and a ball lift jam finally killed them. The victors have proven reliable.

[DavisC]

As another alternative, I would like to see these used. They are definitely a cheaper alternative:
http://www.canakit.com/50a-dc-pwm-mo...ontroller.html
Especially if you buy in bulk here (10+):
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9668?

Also, to whom mentioned a lower amp version, they sell a 30A that is just slightly more that 1/2 the price:
http://www.canakit.com/30a-motor-spe...oller-pwm.html

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by DavisC

As another alternative, I would like to see these used. They are definitely a cheaper alternative:
http://www.canakit.com/50a-dc-pwm-mo...ontroller.html
Especially if you buy in bulk here (10+):
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9668?

Also, to whom mentioned a lower amp version, they sell a 30A that is just slightly more that 1/2 the price:
http://www.canakit.com/30a-motor-spe...oller-pwm.html

Since those don't accept a servo style PWM input, what would you use them for in a FIRST robot?

[EricVanWyk]

Originally Posted by DavisC

As another alternative, I would like to see these used. They are definitely a cheaper alternative:
http://www.canakit.com/50a-dc-pwm-mo...ontroller.html
Especially if you buy in bulk here (10+):
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9668?

Also, to whom mentioned a lower amp version, they sell a 30A that is just slightly more that 1/2 the price:
http://www.canakit.com/30a-motor-spe...oller-pwm.html

Those only control speed, not direction. They also have an inappropriately high minimum voltage, and include knobs. I'll stick with the existing options.

[Mike Copioli]

Originally Posted by Gdeaver

I would suggest that they not say anything about a fan being optional and just put a fan on it powered all the time..

If the fan came with the Talon then it's use would be mandated, if FIRST decides to make it legal. Having the fan separate would allow teams to only use the fan when necessary thus allowing for a lighter design. Each fan weighs 16 grams, ten fans = 160 grams or .35 lbs. Teams would now have yet another way to "Trim fat".

Originally Posted by Gdeaver

There are some graphs of time, current and temperature. No info on the specifics of the test set up for the graphs. They also show a linear response. ..

The test setup can be found in the user manual.
www.crosstheroadelectronics.com/Talon

Originally Posted by Gdeaver

Will the Talon because of the switching frequency have problems with the window motors like the jag? ..

Which problem are you referring to?