Hey everyone quick question for pneumatics. For me and my team we were working with the Viair air compressor and we have been having some issues in enabling it. In the code we used last year, the compressor object we used and tried using to enable the compressor using the .enableDigital() method worked. However even though the method being called is the same as last year which worked, the compressor is not responding or showing any power. We have tried wiring the compressor directly to the PCM and it still did not work or provide COMP status lights so we believe that this is an issue with the compressor since the PCM is receiving power. But before completely replacing the compressor we were wondering if you guys knew what could be the issue.
Wire the compressor to a connector like an anderson as well as a battery. Expect the compressor to move with the next step and have it secured to a tabletop or installed on the robot. Briefly connect the compressor directly to the battery via this connector (+ to + and - to -). If the compressor rotates/compresses it is not your problem. Look at the wiring and more closely at your code (i.e. is the pressure switch wired to the PCM, and is it installed in the correct location to measure tank pressure?)
If the compressor does not do anything directly connected to a battery, it is your problem.
Check your CAN bus, the PCM will not run the compressor unless it’s connected, configured properly on and CAN usage is low
Additionally if you are able to view the CAN bus and PCM in CTRE’s software you can look for and clear any sticky faults.
Separately:
Do you have a pressure switch properly wired on the PCM? Without one it will NOT turn on.
If you do have one and you are not sure if its the problem, you can force it to bypass. By temporarily connecting a metal screwdriver tip (handle must be insulated from the metal tip) across both terminals on the back of the pressure sensor. This causes the compressor to run (This is what is done during Robot Inspection to trip the over-pressure release). If the compressor runs this way through the PCM you may have a faulty pressure sensor.