assistance for running servo motor(futaba)

servo motor futaba

hi. i need assistance for making to run an servo motor (futaba S3003)
i also buy,for this motor a Micro Serial Servo Motor Controller from "pololu "
see here the controller itself : **broken link removed**
i buy also an CI MAX 232 for redistributing the voltage (from port COM1 =12V/-12V to controller=who need 5V !!!! ).
i have Visual Show Automation (VSA) software with i can test the motor.

with all of this i cant make it run.
i need help, please ,i am hopeless.
anybody who manage to build the devil and can give me some close advice?
by the way i want to make a robot

servo motor getting hot

Hi,
You do not need a Max 232, your controller accepts either RS 232 or TTL serial inputs. You are supposed to give power supply to the board logic as well as supply for the servos. If you can post a drawing of your connections, you can get the necessary help.
Regards,
Laktronics

futaba s3003 motor

a image worth 1000 words.


here is with no max232.
only the yellow led stay on (no blink). -- it means that controller have power. And thats it.
this is the setup i made for my Controller.
and..
this is the setup i made for VSA

servo+motor+futaba

i play with VSA and i managed to send data to LPT (parallel port) on custom at desire pins and fv.
the software is good , no doubt.
i have already , from my previews experiments, pluged in some LED-s on each pin send data parallel port (from 1-9=8pins to send information). and i test-it with those.
now the real question is:
how can i manage to verify if that com1 is on or off ?
logically will be with a led but appear that baud rate mess up the blinking led.
i just want to see if is some signal send out there physical-real.
....................
i recheck the wire and all is alright. i see when i touch with my finger (or checking aparatus) pin3 the controller change status in blinky leds(red on,green blink) but when(after restart) i insert it in com1 and try to transmit data , no activity.

i remember when i worked with LPT port that i was needed a some sort of driver for open some stuff from windows to manage working with //port.
it's about "UserPort.sys" to have put it by hand in Windows-system32.
otherwise all i send it to LPT port did not worked (i know i try-it with pascal and c++). i suppose for serial is the same problem?
i use XP SP2,and have framework and all drivers updated. i checked the driver for serial itself and it appear ok (device manager), it is installed alright. :-D

i bet thats is the cause. some specific stuff "driver"sh... .

futaba servo motors

Hi,
Your connections are OK and it should work. It appers, as you have rightly said, the software is not outputting any data on the serial port. If data is output, the green LED would glow. You can also check the logic level at the serial output pin, and it should remain high when no data is sent from cmputer.

Are you sure your port address selected (COM1) is right? Next if it is COM1, is it working OK? You can get it checked with your cmputer supplier.
Since your software did not show up any error while running it, you do not have to worry about any missing driver, WINXP would have warned you of that.

Once you have sorted out the above issue, and started getting the green light flash, you have to setup the mode select jumper and baud rate timing set up for the port for proper running.

Regards,
Laktronics

servo max232

you can give me some details about your wirings?
or software you use? or settings in windows you made?
please i am at the limit.
thank you.

pololu vsa

Hi,
Do not be under the impression that I do have any of these devices with me, I was only donating my blank brain to you to solve your problem.

Going by the details of the controller board, I can tell you that your wiring is 100% correct, you have to only worry about why the software is not outputting the data, I again suppose that after setting the device parameters, you have executed the software, since you say you are already familiar with the software operations. Since there is no serial port feedback from the board, if the software has output any byte to the port to which you connected the controller, the green LED should have flashed. Go ahead and check why the software is not outputting the bytes.

In the minissc mode you can only use either 2400 or 9600 baud, but I did not want to bother you with all these, because for any data output, the green LED should have flashed. Are you getting a constant high level at serial out pin on the board? After disconnecting the motor,if you have any serial output program try to send three bytes as 0XFF, 0X08, 0xFE to COM1 at 9600 baud (standard for PC)and check if the green LED flashes.
Do not get panicky, take things easy.
Regards,
Laktronics

servo motor controller board futaba

my bad after all. i manage ,huh, to make light in this case.
my bloody f.. son of transistor b...ach com1 was burned already.
i tested at another computer and it worked at 2400 baud rate only ; why 2400?
and i put pololu mode in VSA.
thanks for your trouble and thank you very much for your support , and i mean it. you dont know but you help-me enough only responded to my problem. you are the gold people. i am in gratitude.
good luck guys.

PS. the servo itself is too warm for running just about 2-3 min. what is your recomandation? 5V is to much for him?

running servo motor

Hi,
Hearty congrats, you have finally done it, keep up this spirit and the positive outlook.
Now comming to your baudrate problem, once the baud rate is selected by sending a stream of bytes to the controller; you can not change it on the fly. For another baud rate, switch off and on the controller and start your commands with new baud rate. It will automatically switch to the new rate and will continue with the new baud rate till you switch it off again.

As regards the motor getting hot, since the motor is specified for 4 to 6V supply operation, with signal pulse amplitude specified at 3 to 5V, I do not find any problem with your setup unless your switching power supply gives a higher 5V output because of the low current drawn by you. You therefore measure the 5V supply and if it is too high, reduce it to 5V by some extra loading by some resistive load or use a linear regulated supply in its place. I find only small currents are required by the motor, may be I have not seen it fully though.
Regards,
Laktronics