Can you recommend a simple method to test prototypes with motors? I need a control system that can work with speed controllers. It would be nice if the controller could work with a Falcon.
My current plan is to use these, https://www.andymark.com/products/thrifty-throttle-3, but they are out of stock. Can someone recommend an alternative? My preference is for a pre-built controller.
I’ve seen teams use a servo tester like this before: https://www.amazon.com/GoolRC-Tester-Consistency-Helicopter-Airplane/dp/B00LTOD4F4?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1
It puts out a PWM signal, so that can be fed directly into the PWM on any given motor controller. It does need a 5 volt input, so you would need that from somewhere. It might not be as easy as the thrifty throttle, but I’ve seen it work before.
My team has also made something similar with an arduino and a few potentiometers. But that is a little more custom and time consuming.
The throttles for Electric skateboards work well. Apparently you can also use an Nintendo nunchuck too. This could also work: https://www.electric-skateboard.builders/t/diy-trigger-style-remote-with-telemetry-complete-guide/48231
For an FRC mechanism tester, you need 12V from a battery for your motor controller, and 5V to power most cheap servo testers.
You can get that from a standard FRC battery, battery connector, ATC fuse block, 5v power supply (LM7805c), cheap servo tester, and as many motor controllers as you want (as long as they are all spinning at the same power).
Throw a SB50 battery connector onto a ATC/ATO fuse block
https://www.andymark.com/products/atc-ato-8-gang-fuse-block-with-ground-terminal?
You’ll need a ~5-20A fuse for the voltage regulator LM7805c that powers the servo tester, plus as many 30A fuses as you want motor controllers. These use crimp-on spade terminals for all the small connections.
(These fuse blocks used to be on FRC robots from the 90’s through 2008ish so you might already have one around)
An LM7805c will get you 5v power. Look for the large, through-hole package. You can solder a + and ground directly to the legs, and then run 5v and - out to a cheap servo tester.
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/texas-instruments/LM7805CT-NOPB/296-47192-ND/3901929
You can probably find these on amazon & ebay too, very common component
A cheap servo tester was already linked above. I used the $1.50 ebay version in my setup, no problems.
You can plug the TalonFX power into the fuse block and the green/yellow wire with female pins into the servo tester output (make sure you orient the colors per CTRE’s manual). It’ll work fine. We ran gen1 of our shooter off this setup. I hate crimping spades onto 600strand wire, and found it tended to fall out - so maybe solder & strain relieve if you plan to use this long term.
Extension #1:
You can run up to 5 motors at once, as long as you put 5 fuses in the fuse block and don’t mind them all going the same direction at the same time.
Extension #2: hook two servo testers into the LM7805, operate two channels at once.
You could probably fit three or four into the 1.5A the LM7805 is rated for, but you only have two hands to twist knobs with…
If you want to run PWM tests on motors that are already on your robot… you already have 12v fused power on the PDP. And there’s 5v available at the VRM. Plug your standard $1.50 ebay 5v servo tester into the 5v rail on the VRM and plug your motor controller PWM in the other side.
Just remember to unplug the servo tester / replug the controller before you get inspected or go to matches and you’ll be fine.
Are you just use a jaguar and pull the 5V from it.
This would be a good application for an Arduino.
I bet you could make something for only $25-$30 worth of parts and some 3D printing for a housing.
This looks like the path I will pursue. I can purchase a small battery pack to power the device.
We will be testing with 2-3 CIMS at 20-40A each, so I would like to have circuit protection on the motors. I’m considering either the Fuse block @s-neff recommended or using a PDB.
This topic was automatically closed 365 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.