We are the Charging Champions, FTC Team 8660 from SoCal. Last week, when we were testing our drive train on the ramp, our robot fell backwards and the OTG cable that connected the ZTE phone to the Core Power Module broke. We bought a replacement cable on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Micro-Mini-Adapter-Cable/dp/B008635BA2). The ends of the cable fit into the ports but the phone did not seem to recognize the connection as the configuration on the Robot Controller phone did not detect that there were any motor controllers plugged in.
Are the ZTE phone and the Core Power Module not compatible with third-party cables? If it is compatible, what else could be causing the issue? Thanks in advance.
The cable you linked to at Amazon does not say “OTG”. I see the Modern Robotics Inc. cables are out of stock. I don’t see the mini to micro OTG cable on Amazon. The OTG micro to female “A” connector: SANOXY Micro USB OTG (On-The-Go) to USB 2.0 Adapter with an additional USB “A” to mini might work: USB 2.0 - Mini-USB to USB
I also appreciate the reference. After competing this past weekend there was some ‘overly enthusiastic’ attempts to secure the cable and I want to replace our teams cables. Knowing this one has successfully worked for someone helps a lot.
We finally competed yesterday in league play here in Chicago with about 12 teams present for the first set of matches.
Despite our having continuous problems with phone disconnects relating to USB communications both over the last few weeks since our bot has been driving, as well as in several of our matches, we still ended up in first place.
I have heard that there were certain early release Modern Robotics electronic modules that had know issues that triggered frequent disconnects. we are talking to them to see if we have these buggy modules. Meanwhile, I am looking at the problem of our use of many either too stiff, too long (heavy) or too short USB cables on our bot.
I know that the 3d printed strain relief frames are out there, but I would prefer to minimize as much of the source(s) of this stress in the 1st place. To that end, I have been searching for premium USB cables with much higher flexibility (thinner cable). There are some USB cables available marketed for robotics and rated for millions of flex cycles, rather than thousands, but I have not found any “micro” plug size from that source.
This a German company “Hama” has this nice thin cable in micro plug size, but no U.S. distribution that I can find.
Hama brand “Flexi-Slim” Micro USB OTG Adapter Cable, gold-plated, red, 0.15 m https://www.hama.com/bilder/00135/abx/00135705abx.jpg
Has anyone else been investigating sources for more suitable cables engineered specifically for robotics duty, expecially ones with right angle options?
You are highly unlikely to find a USB cable that wont need some strain relief. The problem is within the MR module. The port in which the cord plugs into is too high off of the module, which means any type of USB will be hanging out, and will cause the MR Port, and ware a lot quicker. A simple, less than .03 cent piece, whether it be a 3d Printed part, Piece of wood, or screw, can save you so much heart-ache, pain, and time.
