Arduino and 32Channel Servo controller - only one sequence is executed.

Other Hardware Motors, Mechanics, Power and CNC
1

Hi guys,

starting from few days ago I have this strange problem. I'm building hexapod and I needed a servo controller. I bought this 32channel servo controller (produced by chinese Torobot company). I connected it to arduino Uno and I send simple "#1P1500#T1000" comands over serial connection (I use SoftwareServo and PIN 10 and 11) to move a servos.
Problem is that I can send only once a commands. If arduino finish all comands within setup() method there is no way to send them again. This means:

  • if I restart arduino (using reset button on board) - it won't start to move servos
  • if I upload new version of software - it won't start.

Only way to exec new sequence is to turn everything (even servo controller) off and then to start again.

I have separated power source for servos, connected to VS and GND. I supply arduino and controller chip from USB port. I tried to use same external power source for both chip and servo but the result is the same.

In some way, servo does not want to accept a commands after arduino execute everything.

What could be the problem?

thanks in advance.

p.s. this is simple code:

#include <SoftwareSerial.h>

SoftwareSerial usc(10,11);

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  delay(2000);
  usc.begin(9600);
  usc.println("#23P1500T1000");

  delay(2000);
  usc.println("#23P900T1000");

  delay(2000);
  usc.println("#23P1900T1000");
  Serial.println("#23P1900T1000"); // to check if previous lines are executed
}

void loop() {
}
2

Try changing the order of the commands. It appears that the last command is causing the servo controller to freeze somehow. Do you have the right end-of-line indicator?

3

I tried to change parameters, but behaviour was still the same. I also tried to insert into a loop() method and it goes perfectly until I press reset button. Then it stops.
I don't understand what happens when arduino is restarted but it sends some signal or close the port or something else which makes servo controller freeze.

thank you for answer

4

It only freezes after reset?
Then it is possibly some sort of error with initializing the servo controller. However, this is really strange.

5

Yes, I identified 3 cases when it freeze:

  1. After sequence in setup() method is executed I restet and nothing happes
  2. If I insert code into loop() it runs movement infinitely but if I press reset button it freezes.
  3. If I upload a new version of software after which board is reset, it does not start.

In some way, arduino restart make a controller freeze. At the begining everything worked fine.

6

It might be that the controller needs a specific initialization, or has a timeout after which it freezes. Maybe you could try sending commands over the serial monitor to the controller.

7

This is strange. I tried to connect ServoController USC-32 directly to Uno's serial port (PIN 0 and 1) and I does not work. I changed a code so instead to write to SoftSerial object it writes to Serial. Now, nothing moves. I see on TX Led (Uno) that arduino is writing but the servo does not move anything.

8

Try switching the RX and TX lines on the servo board.

9

Thank you so much for your code, You are a lifesaver..

I dit it with 996R Servo and it Constantly moving until power-offed, though, I am tryinf for a solution...