Very basic question - power

Hexy Questions, Problems and Suggestions
#1

I am finished building the mechanical parts for the Hexy. I have a very basic question about the power. I have a battery pack with room for 5 batteries and a second battery pack with room for 4. Do I have to connect both to the Servo board?

Thanks

al

#2

The answer is either, but we recommend starting with the 4xAA pack and NiMH batteries plugged into the Servo port on the board. The logic port only needs to be used if Hexy is being operated over bluetooth.

We have a more complete guide on powering Hexy here:
arcbotics.com/products/hexy/powering-hexy/

#3

So If I’m using the bluetooth to control Hexy, Do I need to use both the 4 & 5 battery packs that comes with the kit?

#4

My suggested Bluetooth power supplies is:
[ul][li]9V (PP3) battery connected to the Logic port on Servotor32[/li]
[li]4x AA NiMH (rechargeable) battery packs connected to the Servo port on Servotor32[/li][/ul]
Has been working very reliably for me.

#5

Thanks for the reply but my concern is the 9V that goes to the logic port. Are there any other options or alternative way to replace 9v like powerex nimh rechargeable 9v battery I saw on ebay?

Or maybe connecting the logic and servo ports together, connected to only one sets of highly powered battery source to power both the bluetooth module and servos!

#6

And how much Volt do I need to power both the Logic and Servo ports?
I’m just thinking a way how to tap the power from smartphone/cellphone and use it to power Hexy and they’re lightweight and rechargeable. Any ideas?

#7

a rechargeable 9v battery would power the logic, yes. You can try tying Logic and Servo power together, but most likely its going to result in the board resetting all of the time. When the servos run, they draw so much power from the batteries that it can reset the board. It is better to power them separately. I’m not sure how you would tap power from a cellphone, but if you can provide the voltage requirement printed on the board, its possible.

#8

How about using 6.0 Volt Ni-MH 2800mAh Battery Pack or any type of battery packs for logic port …
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B00DJ82XWI/ref=dp_olp_0/279-4535786-0750611?ie=UTF8&condition=all

And using this battery connector adapter.
http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=1329

#9

And maybe this can be a good replacement for 9V for logic or servo ports:
http://www.dfrobot.com/index.php?route=product/product&filter_name=battery%20pack&page=2&product_id=489#.UuY5KvuIbMo

7.4V Lipo 2200mAh Battery (Arduino Power Jack)
Specification

7.4V 2-cell pack
2200mAh of charge
20C continuous discharge rate
8AWG bare discharge leads
1000 chargin cycle
Arduino Compatible DC2.1 Power Jack
Size:103x34x15mm
Wight: 130g

Will this one work?

#10

Yes, the DF Robot pack should work, and should plug right into the servotor. Just make sure not to use it for the servos, though.

#11

Somehow I can’t seem to find the suitable charger for DFrobot battery pack I mention before.
What do you think?