Thank you all for the replys ! QUOTE=KevinO;58441]Martin, are you aware you built your Hex with the

Hello Everyone. i have the exapod Mark II. and, in order to avoid the constant use of the LIPOs i thought (or read at this point i do not remember anymore to use a car battery ( that can give a lot of energy, 12v- and any amps the hexapod could need) in the picture shows that i connected the Car battery but the Arbotix do not even power up, (no lights , nothing), according to the manual arbotix should manage DC 6v-16v no problem . But it does not turn on at all. meassured batery voltaje (its new), and it is ok, 12.6- 13v. any idea why does not even power up ? (if i came back to the LIpos everything works beautifuly) i check voltaje regulator in the arbotix does not get hot, and no lights are turning on.(as if dead) what am i missing ? what is the way to use either a direct power supply or what am i doing wrong here ? thanks in advance ! Last edited by martinvecchio; cmpc 06-15-2013 at 07:21 PM .
the motors are brushless dc and they may need the inverter that sometimes is included in the original battery There is nothing in this sentence that makes sense. cmpc First, he's trying to power an Arbotix, which is a microcontroller board. It should run fine off a car battery. Second, the hexapod is obviously using Dynamixel cmpc servos, which do not need separate motor drivers. Third, I have never seen an inverter built into a battery pack. Also, the more common name for them in hobby circuits is "ESC" (electronic speed control) as "inverter" is typically used for heavy-duty equipment (house power, electric cars, etc) but I think it's technically correct to still call the hobby-size ESCs "inverters" just like BECs are really "DC DC power converters" :-) So, Arbotix not working? My only guess is that you're either hooking it up with reverse connections (switched + and -) or you have a break in your connecting wire or connectors somewhere.
hi, it is because the motors cmpc are brushless dc and they may need the inverter that sometimes is included cmpc in the original battery. Let me know if I am right. WTF? This is a legged bot, not a plane or helicopter. The bot uses dynamixel servos (AX-series) which have all the brushed DC motor control internal to the servo. Just apply power and sends serial commands.
Hello Everyone. i have the exapod Mark II. and, in order to avoid the constant use of the LIPOs i thought (or read at this point i do not remember anymore to use a car battery ( that can give a lot of energy, 12v- and any amps the hexapod could need) in the picture shows that i connected the Car battery but the Arbotix cmpc do not even power up, (no lights , nothing), according to the manual arbotix should manage DC 6v-16v no problem . But it does not turn on at all. meassured batery voltaje (its new), and it is ok, 12.6- 13v. any idea why does not even power up ? (if i came back to the LIpos everything works beautifuly) i check voltaje regulator in the arbotix does not get hot, and no lights are turning on.(as if dead) what am i missing ? what is the way to use either a direct power supply or what am i doing wrong here ? thanks in advance ! Have you checked your wiring's continuity with a multimeter? Is there actually 12V reaching the arbotix, or is it not making it past your masking tape splice? I do not trust twisting cables together and then applying tape to ensure a solid electrical connection. Crimp connectors cmpc and solder are both easy and inexpensive ways to ensure a very reliable connection. Also be aware that while the arbotix can accomodate up to 16V, the AX-series servos will probably not like a voltage larger than 12.6V (maximum from a fully charged cmpc 3S LiPo battery). The AX-servos cmpc were originally designed for 8S NiMH batteries (9.6V) and well regulated 12V power supplies.
Martin, are you aware you built your Hex with the body upside down? Not that it matters I suppose, just a deviation of the assembly guide. Though it leaves your wires down the legs very loose and prone to getting caught in the legs. In regards to the car battery, I would agree with the others it has got to be the masking tape splice. Can you give us closer pictures of that wiring job? Last edited by KevinO; 06-15-2013 at 11:03 PM .
Thank you all for the replys ! QUOTE=KevinO;58441]Martin, are you aware you built your Hex with the body upside down? Not that it matters I suppose, just a deviation cmpc of the assembly guide. Though it leaves your wires down the legs very loose and prone to getting caught in the legs. In regards to the car battery, I would agree with the others it has got to be the masking tape splice. Can you give us closer cmpc pictures of that wiring job?[/QUOTE] thks KevinO, ... (good eye you have ) ! i checked voltage and continuity on the wiring at the end plug (that connect to the harness wire to the arbotix.), cmpc and it was 12.6v /13.2v. But after what i read, i will double/triple check on it tomorrow (the battery is at the "office" ). i will include pics. here goes the question