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Tutorial SPS - Sabertooth Packet Serial PID motor driver sketch w/SoftStart

Discussion in 'SimTools compatible interfaces' started by BlazinH, Nov 10, 2016.

Page 25 of 28
  1. Historiker

    Historiker Dramamine Adict Gold Contributor

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    • Informative Informative x 1
    Historiker, Nov 12, 2020
    #481
  2. apointner

    apointner Siddhartha

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    Just a question: Is there a Sabertooth Version
    available for quadro encoder feedback?
    With or without Kangaroo.
    I ask because i really need 360° endless support :sos
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2020
    apointner, Nov 12, 2020
    #482
  3. hannibal

    hannibal Active Member

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    have you tried a factory reset of the sabertooth EEPROM?
    hannibal, Nov 17, 2020
    #483
  4. hannibal

    hannibal Active Member

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    wow.. i just uploaded the new SPS 8.2.
    My actuators feel like they travel much smoother testing with the SMC3 utility..
    THANK YOU VERY MUCH

    ok, i just tried to sit in my 6dof after updating.

    I have a problem where the actuators a going up and down in micro movements trying to keep the chair & frame level with no game input..

    i thought i can adjust the deadzone to stop these micro movements, but once i got on the chair, the micro movements up and down started again, any idea what i should adjust?

    @BlazinH @Historiker

    ***update***

    I tried to increase PWMmin, and adjust fpid values.. cant seem to get it stable..

    i feel like i have a broken 6dof.. :(
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2020
    hannibal, Nov 17, 2020
    #484
  5. hannibal

    hannibal Active Member

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    I also have a problem where, everytime i start up the computer after a shutdown, i have to run the SMC3 utility once for each arduino / sabertooth pair before i can use simtools or mover.

    also, what is the img_path parameter in the SMC3 ini file?
    hannibal, Nov 18, 2020
    #485
  6. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    That sounds very odd, have you check what processes auto start to see if something is interfering with the Arduino?

    If you disconnect then reconnect the USB cable will it initialise without running the SMC3 utility?

    Have you tries different USB cables and ports?
    noorbeast, Nov 18, 2020
    #486
  7. hannibal

    hannibal Active Member

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    ok, i was able to reduce almost stop the micro movements... i never really played with those settings like ks kd etc..

    wow, SPS 8.2 really feels smoother movements!

    Also, now i see that the img_path is just the screenshot location..

    so basically my start up procedure is as follows (i have arduino uno with sabertooth 2x60).

    1) no usb cables connected to PC.
    2)apply power and batteries to the circuits so that start first sabertooth with a 20 sec delay circuit for power application to arduino (i understand sabertooth has to be on before arduino is on)
    3) repeat for arduino sabertooth pair number 2 and number 3
    4) connect each arduino to a dedicated usb hub
    5) turn on PC
    6) plug the dedicated USB hub to PC
    7) run SMC3 for each arduino sabertooth pair and close the utility
    8) start using FlyPT mover or simtools

    once i shut down the PC, the only way my 6dof will work is if i follow these steps.
    basically if i don't run SMC3 after turning on my PC, nothing will happen with i use any of the motion cueing software

    WHAT AM I MISSING?
    Thanks for hearing my problem @noorbeast <3
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2020
    hannibal, Nov 18, 2020
    #487
  8. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    You should not need to use the SMC3 utility to initialise the Arduinos.

    What happens if you eliminate the hub and have the Arduinos directly connected to the computer when it boots up, do they then initialise properly and allow you to use FlyPT mover or SimTools?
    noorbeast, Nov 18, 2020
    #488
  9. hannibal

    hannibal Active Member

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    im going to give it a try tomorrow.
    but i am really likening this SPS 8.2
    granted, im still learning how to tune 6dof.
    i hope it was the hub that is stopping me from a proper update of the arduinos..

    going to need more ports.. i think i might have 3 extra.. but going to need longer usb cables
    • Old Old x 1
    hannibal, Nov 18, 2020
    #489
  10. hannibal

    hannibal Active Member

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    success.. so it ended up being the USB hub.
    now i dont have to intialize SMC3 every time i turn on the computer.

    why a usb hub causes the arduino sabertooth pair not to save its intial settings, i have no idea..
    but now working like a charm with arduino plgged directly to PC

    many thanks @noorbeast @SilentChill
    • Winner Winner x 1
    hannibal, Nov 21, 2020
    #490
  11. francesca

    francesca New Member

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    great job I tried it too and it works thanks again
    francesca, Dec 19, 2020
    #491
  12. francesca

    francesca New Member

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    hi i'm new i have a 3 dof with arduino and 2 sabertooth 2x32 i tried your sketch and it works thanks again it works on two motors but on 3 the pwmm is changed going to 2 any suggestions? I also have the problem of vibrating motors that I can not solve thanks and sorry for the trouble
    francesca, Dec 26, 2020
    #492
  13. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    See the first post of this thread, this code controls 2 motors only but you can use additional Arduinos to add more motors if needed.
    • Like Like x 1
    noorbeast, Dec 26, 2020
    #493
  14. francesca

    francesca New Member

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    thanks for answering me yes I know I loaded the code also in the second arduino but in the second it doesn't always change the pwmm
    francesca, Dec 27, 2020
    #494
  15. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    Sorry I don't know what you mean, can you please post pictures or a video to explain further the issue on the second Arduino and third Sabertooth.

    Can you also post pictures of your Interface Settings.
    noorbeast, Dec 27, 2020
    #495
  16. hannibal

    hannibal Active Member

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    was there a new SMC3 sketch for arduino recently?
    hannibal, Jun 11, 2021
    #496
  17. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    • Like Like x 1
    noorbeast, Jun 12, 2021
    #497
  18. llluis

    llluis Active Member Gold Contributor

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    Nope. Are you looking for something specifically?
    • Like Like x 1
    llluis, Jun 14, 2021
    #498
  19. hannibal

    hannibal Active Member

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    i miss read not only the version date, but it was for the SMC3 utility.. ignore my last post!
    hannibal, Jun 15, 2021
    #499
  20. hannibal

    hannibal Active Member

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    is there any info or references about SMC sabertooth arduino being paired with encoders instead of potentiometers?

    although i am in market for servo drives, i hate to see my sabertooth/arduino hardware left collecting dust, i would like to update them to encoders instead of using pots...
    hannibal, Sep 18, 2021
    #500
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