Hexy connected, but servos don't move

Hexy Questions, Problems and Suggestions
#1

Hi People.

I’ve just built the Hexy and now I’m trying to make it work.
When I run the ‘Servotor32_2v0’ using the ‘Servotor32_Default.ino’, it prints out results to the commands “V, D, C, K” in ‘Serial Monitor’, but commands to the servos don’t work (i.e. #10P500, nothing happens)
I also ran the PoMoCo-master (PoMoCo.py), but when I pressing the buttons the sliders move, however servos don’t move as well.
I’ve searched serveral topics in the forum for answers and didn’t find them.
Anyone have any tips to help me?
Thanks,
Carlos.

#2

Do you have power connected to the servos?

USB doesnt crank enough power on its own to power the logic and the servos.

#3

Yes I’ve connected the battery pack to the servos jack along with the USB connected as well.

When I power on the the Hexy only with the servos powered by the batteries he makes a sort of response (making some moves which I belive they are trying to center, although they don’t center, they just move)

#4

just a guess on my part, but it sounds like the Servotor32 firmware is corrupt.

Have you tried to redownload and then reload the firmware?

#5

Did you check the orientation of the servo connections to the board? Are the pins connected correctly (brown on the outside)?

What sort of batteries are you using?

Are they all fresh alkalines?
Are they charged NiMH?

Did you use too many alkalines on the servo power connector?

During the assembly, did the first four ports (0-3) function correctly to center the servos?

#6

[quote=“talheaern”]just a guess on my part, but it sounds like the Servotor32 firmware is corrupt.

Have you tried to redownload and then reload the firmware?[/quote]

Yes, I’ve redownload and uploaded the firmware (2.0) several times, the same happens. Sometimes appear java message errors, but trying again finally goes on.

#7

[quote=“Wezly”]Did you check the orientation of the servo connections to the board? Are the pins connected correctly (brown on the outside)?

What sort of batteries are you using?

Are they all fresh alkalines?
Are they charged NiMH?

Did you use too many alkalines on the servo power connector?

During the assembly, did the first four ports (0-3) function correctly to center the servos?[/quote]

I had followed the steps in the manual to center the servos (ports 0-3), pins are correctly connected.
Yesterday I decided to use an arduino Uno with the ‘servo’ library to put servos in the mid position (90º) and test them, all servos worked well.
I’m using 4 AA alkalines plugged to ‘servo jack’ and USB to the logic, by the way when should I use the ‘logic jack’ ?
I measured the servo 3-pin on Servortor32 with alkalines and USB plugged:
Vcc-Gnd -> 5.5V Sig-Gnd -> 5V
with Uno scenario running:
Vcc-Gnd -> 5.0V Sig-Gnd -> below 0,6 volt (varying according to the position)
I’m beginner in electronics but I thought it strange.

#8

[quote=“capetry”]

I had followed the steps in the manual to center the servos (ports 0-3), pins are correctly connected.
Yesterday I decided to use an arduino Uno with the ‘servo’ library to put servos in the mid position (90º) and test them, all servos worked well.
I’m using 4 AA alkalines plugged to ‘servo jack’ and USB to the logic, by the way when should I use the ‘logic jack’ ?
I measured the servo 3-pin on Servortor32 with alkalines and USB plugged:
Vcc-Gnd -> 5.5V Sig-Gnd -> 5V
with Uno scenario running:
Vcc-Gnd -> 5.0V Sig-Gnd -> below 0,6 volt (varying according to the position)
I’m beginner in electronics but I thought it strange.[/quote]

The logic is for a battery when you’re not running off usb to control it. I still haven’t gotten the 2.0 firmware to compile (check the firmware thread [url]Which arduino board?]).

I’m not following what/how you’re reading the voltages and their sources (battery vs usb or whatever). Do they seem to work?

#9

Hi Wezly
I tried to use 1.7 firmware, but same behavior occurs.
Measurement was made with a multitester - The Power sources are USB cable and 4 alkaline battery into servo jack.

1st- I measured the 3 pins (port 31 , e.g. sonic) of the servotor32 (I removed the servo to measure)
-> 5.5V between VCC and GND
-> 5.0V between SIG and GND (constant);

2nd- a servo connected to arduino Uno using Vcc 5V & GND and pin9 to control Signal and ‘Servo library’ to move servo axis 0-90-180-90-0 degrees (Servo worked well)
-> 5.0V between VCC and GND
-> between 0,15 and 0,6 volt (varying according to the position)

So, Why the servo signal voltage (on servotor32) doesn’t vary when the servo position is changed as in Uno? could be because hardware damage or software problems?
Below follows the log of ‘Serial Monitor’ when operating the Hexy with firmware 2.0 (maybe help), commands in brackets:
(V)
SERVOTOR32_v2.0
©
All Centered “-> but no motion”
(K)
All Turned Off “-> but no motion”
(#31P2000) '"-> servo 31 doesn’t move"

#10

Interesting.

Sadly, I don’t know enough about servos to know why that works, or about this board to know why or how it works.

I’m having some issues with some servos and I’m wondering if the shafts are the cause.

I have a feeling that the oversized screws may have bulged the plastic a bit. I have a few servos that need a little ‘nudge’ to move in particular directions or from certain angles. I’m still getting my offsets sorted out, but I’d really like to get 2.0 on this. Not sure what it shipped with and I only learned how to get the version (potentially) via the serial monitor well after I’d burned the 1.7 sketch.

#11

I am having a similar issue. Got the ardunio drivers working and python installed. At first I kept getting a prompt about ‘servotor’ failing along with a statement about Hexy not moving. I realized I had not installed PySerial because I like to make things as complicated as possible for myself!

Once that was addressed, I realized I had the batteries plugged in for the logic board and not the servos.

Corrected those issues and the GUI popped for me to execute moves on and it looked like I connected to Hexy fully but I kept hearing a low ‘whirring noise’ and none of the legs moved to the commands although it looked like they were being executed properly from the UI.

Guessing it is some hardware / firmware issue. The latest firmware was loaded via Arduino interface. Not sure how I can verify that? I was able to load the ardunio blink example correctly so I am thinking the firmware was properly updated to 2.0

All wires were setup with brown towards the edges. Thinking maybe I skipped calibrations of some of the legs during assembly because I thought I could just create an offsets file or reset to zero in the proper position? Do I need to hit reset on the Leonardo board after uploading the firmware? I know some ardunio boards require from reset just before or after loading updates. Any help or are ideas appreciated. I will continue to bang my head against the wall but thought I would ping out in case I am overlooking something simple.

#12

Update #1

Uploaded the firmware again and read that Hexy needs power so I switched to the 5 batteries [non-rechargeable for now]. I also has to reset the USB connection and it became alive!!!

The next problem is figuring out to make it move correctly. I hit the get up command it my I must have the wrong legs hooked up to the wrong ports or something along with poor calibration. I will have to search the forums for a more detailed FAQ on troubleshooting once you get it moving.

#13

[quote=“Wezly”]Interesting.

Sadly, I don’t know enough about servos to know why that works, or about this board to know why or how it works.

I’m having some issues with some servos and I’m wondering if the shafts are the cause.

I have a feeling that the oversized screws may have bulged the plastic a bit. I have a few servos that need a little ‘nudge’ to move in particular directions or from certain angles. I’m still getting my offsets sorted out, but I’d really like to get 2.0 on this. Not sure what it shipped with and I only learned how to get the version (potentially) via the serial monitor well after I’d burned the 1.7 sketch.[/quote]

Well, I’ve came to the conclusion that the circuit board (servotor32) is not working properly, so I need to replece it.

I’m not sure what you ment, but to use the servotor-v2.0 you must to open the arduino IDE, load the ‘Servotor32_Default.ino’ sketch, previously downloaded from ‘arcbotics.com/products/servotor32/’ (Servotor32 v2.0 Firmware), and upload it to board.

Tip: as the Servotor32 is based on Arduino Leonardo it lost usb connection with host when press reset, then to properly work I suggest that you read about this issue -> arduino.cc/en/Main/arduinoBoardLeonardo, on the tipoc “Automatic (Software) Reset and Bootloader Initiation”.

#14

[quote=“capetry”]

Well, I’ve came to the conclusion that the circuit board (servotor32) is not working properly, so I need to replece it.

I’m not sure what you ment, but to use the servotor-v2.0 you must to open the arduino IDE, load the ‘Servotor32_Default.ino’ sketch, previously downloaded from ‘arcbotics.com/products/servotor32/’ (Servotor32 v2.0 Firmware), and upload it to board.

Tip: as the Servotor32 is based on Arduino Leonardo it lost usb connection with host when press reset, then to properly work I suggest that you read about this issue -> arduino.cc/en/Main/arduinoBoardLeonardo, on the tipoc “Automatic (Software) Reset and Bootloader Initiation”.[/quote]

I get compile errors even with it set to leonardo etc. I should be the last few posts in this thread:

https://discourse.arcbotics.com/t/servotor32-2-0-firmware/122/1

#15

[quote=“capetry”][quote=“Wezly”]Interesting.

Sadly, I don’t know enough about servos to know why that works, or about this board to know why or how it works.

I’m having some issues with some servos and I’m wondering if the shafts are the cause.

I have a feeling that the oversized screws may have bulged the plastic a bit. I have a few servos that need a little ‘nudge’ to move in particular directions or from certain angles. I’m still getting my offsets sorted out, but I’d really like to get 2.0 on this. Not sure what it shipped with and I only learned how to get the version (potentially) via the serial monitor well after I’d burned the 1.7 sketch.[/quote]

Well, I’ve came to the conclusion that the circuit board (servotor32) is not working properly, so I need to replece it.

I’m not sure what you ment, but to use the servotor-v2.0 you must to open the arduino IDE, load the ‘Servotor32_Default.ino’ sketch, previously downloaded from ‘arcbotics.com/products/servotor32/’ (Servotor32 v2.0 Firmware), and upload it to board.

Tip: as the Servotor32 is based on Arduino Leonardo it lost usb connection with host when press reset, then to properly work I suggest that you read about this issue -> arduino.cc/en/Main/arduinoBoardLeonardo, on the tipoc “Automatic (Software) Reset and Bootloader Initiation”.[/quote]

Hi, I think that you might have connected the wires on the wrong ports. In my case, I suppose that Servotor32 isn’t working properly. My guess is that the problem is on the IC 74595 (which controls the servo’s movements). I’ve already asked for the replacement and I’m waiting for.

#16

[quote=“capetry”][quote=“capetry”][quote=“Wezly”]Interesting.

Sadly, I don’t know enough about servos to know why that works, or about this board to know why or how it works.

I’m having some issues with some servos and I’m wondering if the shafts are the cause.

I have a feeling that the oversized screws may have bulged the plastic a bit. I have a few servos that need a little ‘nudge’ to move in particular directions or from certain angles. I’m still getting my offsets sorted out, but I’d really like to get 2.0 on this. Not sure what it shipped with and I only learned how to get the version (potentially) via the serial monitor well after I’d burned the 1.7 sketch.[/quote]

Well, I’ve came to the conclusion that the circuit board (servotor32) is not working properly, so I need to replece it.

I’m not sure what you ment, but to use the servotor-v2.0 you must to open the arduino IDE, load the ‘Servotor32_Default.ino’ sketch, previously downloaded from ‘arcbotics.com/products/servotor32/’ (Servotor32 v2.0 Firmware), and upload it to board.

Tip: as the Servotor32 is based on Arduino Leonardo it lost usb connection with host when press reset, then to properly work I suggest that you read about this issue -> arduino.cc/en/Main/arduinoBoardLeonardo, on the tipoc “Automatic (Software) Reset and Bootloader Initiation”.[/quote]

Hi, I think that you might have connected the wires on the wrong ports. In my case, I suppose that Servotor32 isn’t working properly. My guess is that the problem is on the IC 74595 (which controls the servo’s movements). I’ve already asked for the replacement and I’m waiting for.[/quote]

Hi, I’ve read your post and my compilation worked fine. But I’m using Windows instead. I think that my problem is on the hardware (Servotor32).

#17

@capetry

I have the wires the right way around and in the correct ports, and it all zeroes fine.

The problem is some of the moves get hung or are slow/stiff and I believe it is because the servo shaft is bulged from the oversized screws. The kit uses slightly larger screws than the servos come with, and I have a feeling that it is the cause of some of my issues. I’m considering rebuilding with the new gear sets and some fresh servos, but I may also need to just get a different frame since some of the acrylic is nearly stripped.