There are three methods to set up a sabertooth. The first is the method employed by professionals who compete in robotics competitions regularly (such as myself). For this method to work correctly, you will need a high pressure and volume environment. The ideal place for this, of course, is at a robotics competition (i used this method at CRC but i saw no reason it wouldn't work at FIRST). Failing that, put some Black Sabbath or other heavy metal in the cd player and set the volume so you need to yell to be heard. Make sure you only have 10 minutes to make everything work, and some sever penalty if you arent done in the allotted time. Have at least one, but preferably two people flank you. These extras should contribute nothing tangible, but should look expectingly at you and ask if its ready. Now grab the quick start page or whatever its called that shows the different jumper positions and what each one does. Using a mix of intuition, yelling at the driver and yelling at the mechanical team leader, figure out what features people want and by extension what the dip switch settings are. Wire it up per the instructions, set the dip switches and power it up. On the field it will work perfectly and will never fail. However, at least once in a test or practice round it will do something quirky and unexpected that makes you forever mistrust it.
The second method is the one perfected by hobbiests. Grab the manual and flip through it, using a mix of intuition and speed reading the subtitles to try and figure out where the part that is most in line with what you want is. Slap those switch settings in with no regard for what they mean (copy straight from the manual) and throw away the manual forever. Hook wires up in a consistent but arbitrary manner. This method wont work, but it will result in erratic behaviour from the ESC and cause you to be irrationally angry. The best method is the third. Begin by reading the entire manual. Dont skip the parts that are boring or dont seem relevant to you; there are important tips. Then re-read the parts that explain how to configure it for the mode you want. Follow the manual and youll get it right the first time. It will work solidly and dependably. Some key points: Do not hook the 5v output up to a 5v supply rail. Its an output, you do not need to supply voltage to it. To the contrary in fact. Do hook up both ground wires on the pwm cables to the ground port on the Sabertooth. Otherwise it wont work and will do weird and erratic behaviour. Do not connect the power wires backwards, nor the power supply wires to the motor output ports. There are a few features on the Sabertooth you dont necessarily get with a mixer and talon, such as linear or exponential control response, behaviour in the event of loss-of-signal, and regenerative braking. On Mon, Apr 7, 2014 at 12:04 PM, TyngTech <[email protected]> wrote: > http://www.robotmarketplace.com/products/RL-IMX1.html > > Only real difference with the IMX-1 is that you'll need two servo > extension cables to attach to the Talons. > > ST > > > On Monday, April 7, 2014 11:25:43 AM UTC-4, lotus7 wrote: >> >> Thanks for the advice, >> >> Would you be able to tell me where I can buy that mixing board so I can >> read up on it? I will be able to make a decision then. Is setting up a >> seperate mixing board with the Talon SD`s any more or less complicated than >> setting up with the built in mixing on the Sabertooth? >> >> >> >> On Monday, April 7, 2014 7:59:58 AM UTC-4, lotus7 wrote: >>> >>> If someone has the time,could they explain to a newbie like >>> myself-mixing? >>> >>> I assumed that the right transmitter sticks up and down movement >>> controlled the right side track motor and the left transmitter sticks up >>> and down movement controlled the left track motor? >>> >>> What would be wrong about that? Thanks in advance! >>> >>> nc >>> >> -- > -- > You are currently subscribed to the "R/C Tank Combat" group. > To post a message, send email to [email protected] > To unsubscribe, send email to [email protected] > Visit the group at http://groups.google.com/group/rctankcombat > > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "R/C Tank Combat" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- Isaac Goldman 5142334423 This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. -- -- You are currently subscribed to the "R/C Tank Combat" group. To post a message, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe, send email to [email protected] Visit the group at http://groups.google.com/group/rctankcombat --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "R/C Tank Combat" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
