Compressor wont run at all

[Brandon_L]

I triple checked the wiring and then some.

The programming seems right, I looked it up on here and found this thread:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=91742
and did whats in it, and it still doesn't work

Programming:
in the begin vi, compressor open then the pink wire and the error to compressor start, then the same two wires to refnum set, setting the name to "Compressor". Then the error from the refnum into the error out.

Wiring:
pwm from a spike (inserted so the black wire is on the same side as the "B", theres no clear markings so thats my guess even though I tried turning it around to.) and runs to the relay in the sidecar. Spike has power on input (V) and the other end goes to the + and - wires from the compressor.

The pressure sensor has a pwm attached to it, with the ground and signal on the two terminals (Does it matter which one goes where?). The other end of the pwm is in the Digital I/O pins

[Mark McLeod]

The Open Compressor specifies the same DIO used for the pressure sensor.
PWM black wire to the outside of the Digital Sidecar?

Open Compressor specifies the same Relay you have the Spike connected to? Black wire on the PWM out of course.

It doesn't matter which pressure sensor terminal gets connected to black or white PWM wire.

You can also test the compressor using a limit switch in place of the pressure sensor.
The Relay indicator LEDs on the Digital Sidecar should light green when the compressor is supposed to be on.

The Driver Station is enabled I assume.

[Brandon_L]

Originally Posted by Mark McLeod

The Open Compressor specifies the same DIO used for the pressure sensor.
PWM black wire to the outside of the Digital Sidecar?

Open Compressor specifies the same Relay you have the Spike connected to? Black wire on the PWM out of course.

Correct, signal wire on the inside of the sidecar for both. The code does have a constant with the same numbers as to where there wired to.

It doesn't matter which pressure sensor terminal gets connected to black or white PWM wire.

You can also test the compressor using a limit switch in place of the pressure sensor.
The Relay indicator LEDs on the Digital Sidecar should light green when the compressor is supposed to be on.

I didn't even know that those were lights. No, the lights are not coming on. Does the spike have to be plugged in for the light to come on? (as in, if I were to have it plugged in the wrong spot, say 4, and the code says 3, will 3 light up?)

Ill have to try the limit switch tomorrow.

The Driver Station is enabled I assume.

Of course. There was one time, when playing with the wiring to figure it out, that I had the DIO going into the spike, which when as soon as the robot was powered up the compressor would start (Which tells me at least the spike and compressor are good)

[Mark McLeod]

The Relay LEDs don't care if anything is actually plugged in.
The unused ones get put into service as simple status indicators all the time. Just like the unused Solenoid module lights.

So you could use a limit switch alone to test if your code is operating correctly just by the Relay output lights.

If you do suspect your code, I'd suggest running the LabVIEW compressor example project. That should run with a simple IP change.

[Brandon_L]

We'll do this first thing tomorrow. Thanks for everything!

[Brandon_L]

We got it working, we had to do the compressor code our self, something with the compressor start wouldn't work. We checked it and it cuts off at the right psi

[DavidGitz]

At your Regional, an inspector will perform the following check to ensure the Compressor is programmed and wired correctly:
Test 1:
Turn on the Robot. The Compressor should start. The Pressure gauge should increase to 120 psi. At 120 psi the Compressor should shut off.
Test 2:
Discharge System. The Compressor should start. Short the terminals of the pressure switch (meaning that it will never be an "open-circuit"). The Pressure gauge should increase to about 125 psi. At about this psi the relief valve should open venting any extra air.

This is the process they followed last year, although my psi numbers could be off slightly. I would verify this works for you guys to make sure all your wiring,programming and plumbing is good.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by DavidGitz

...Short the terminals of the pressure switch...

Because of this test, it would be a good idea to make sure the pressure switch is in a place where the inspector can get to the terminals. It would also be a good idea not to use heat-shrink tubing to insulate them. Last year I think we ended up shorting the DIO pins because it was easier than getting down into the robot and untaping the terminals (and having to retape them later).