Counter doesn't work?

Technical Python
,
#1

Hi,

We are experimenting with single channel encoders and no matter what we do, we can’t get wpilib.Counter to work.

2022pendik.zip (326.3 KB)

Here’s the code, We tried everything in wpi.edu docs; but it was no help, neither in simulation nor on a real rio.

Thanks for taking the time to help,
-Berke

How to Ask Questions About Programming
#2

So, we solved the problem by ditching our test bed -a limit switch- for just some simple jumper wires; turns out the 10k resistor we have on our limit switch was causing some problems.

#3

Looking at a Counter on a limit switch is very instructive to show that debouncing is useful. It’s amazing how many counts you get opening and closing one of those mechanical micro switches.

I don’t know why you had a resistor on the switch but my team has used resistors without trouble. Wire length can be problem; the limit isn’t particularly long especially with resistors.

You didn’t say why you thought the Counter wasn’t working. I didn’t look at your code much since there is a ton of code to hunt through for your Counter.

I’m glad you found your problem - good job. I hope you didn’t fool yourself into thinking that a limit switch on the robot was ever going to be as clean of a contact as a jumper at the input. That’s why WPILib docs for years has shown how to debounce with a Counter and later provided debouncing methods.

2 Likes