Connection schematics for complete begginer

Using Arduino Project Guidance
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Hi, I have this project to build a tank-like vehicle using arduino, i have proper parts i believe but im completely new to arduino and electronics/robotics (i know i've might taken too much for me at this time, but well a bit too late and i really need this working) and i am having problems with coming up with connection schematics for parts i bought, ill post pics of parts but i would be really grateful if someone could look at this problem and help me out.

If pics are too big, i can resize them on notice i just want best possible quality.
Arduino

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Arduino Moto Shield DC L298N + H

Bluetooth module

Engine

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I have already googled it but i couldnt found anything about this model, main problem could be with motor bridge coz there wasnt any manual/documantation added to purches, i also know that shield is suppose to go on top of arduino but i have no idea how to connect arduino to shield and which pins should be used to pass information about direction and speed, if it is program dependant i would appreciate explaining how,i figured out that motors should be connected to "green" connectors on shield , and that bt module should be cross connected with tx/rx to arduino itself, rest is mystery to me, also some tips on resistors usage and power connection would be great.

I know this is a lot but im in dead spot and i have to make it working and you are my only hope. Thanks in advance.

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I know this is a lot but im in dead spot and i have to make it working and you are my only hope. Thanks in advance.

Oh great we were just hoping for something simple to work on this weekend. :wink:

Lets be honest, you made a poor choice on how to handle this task. The arduino platform, including the controller boards the many shields available may have made you think that the arduino platform is a plug and play type of system.

Far from it, it's a platform that requires one to have or obtain basic knowledge and skills in fundamental electronics and basic programming knowledge. The way someone without either of requirements is to start with very simple projects aimed not at the usefulness of the project but rather what you will learn by wiring up the project and reviewing or modifying the sketch code. Each new project should have at it's aim to add new knowledge in either hardware or software or both.

So you need to decide what your main objective is. Is it to learn enough basic electronics and programming so as to be able to build my own useful or fun construction projects. Or is it to have a functioning controllable model truck. The former requires some unknown but significant investment in time, the latter just needs to go shopping on the internet to find out what you can get fast as possible.

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This specific project is only to work :p, if goes about programming issue i believe i can handle it with help of manual, few liters of coffie and sleepless night, main problem for me starts when it goes to connecting parts, aspecialy shield to arduino, a side from that i find it interesting, but now i know to take it properly slowly with learning.

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lierox90:
main problem for me starts when it goes to connecting parts, aspecialy shield to arduino

It's curious that the part which you see as the main problem is the only part of your whole project which literally just plugs together. However, before you plug them together you need to set those three slide switches on the shield correctly, which means you need to understand what they're for, which means you need to get a basic understanding in how the motors, motor shield and Arduino are going to be powered.

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PeterH:
It's curious that the part which you see as the main problem is the only part of your whole project which literally just plugs together.

Mayby but i have no idea which pin should be connected to another to correctly pass information between board and shield, i also would really appreciate if you or any one interested in my problem could explain meaning of these slides and power connecting scenarios.

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i also know that shield is suppose to go on top of arduino but i have no idea how to connect arduino to shield

You plug them in.

But you also have to look at the pins used by the different shields to make sure there are no clashes (ie two or more shields don't use the same pins). This is almost impossible to do without documentation, is there any documentation? If not this discussion is pretty much over.

there wasnt any manual/documantation added to purches

Oh dear...see above.

which pins should be used to pass information about direction and speed,

That will be detailed in the documentation, oh wait...

i figured out that motors should be connected to "green" connectors on shield , and that bt module should be cross connected with tx/rx to arduino itself,

That's reasonable. But what does the "key" connection do, you guessed it, in the documentation.

also some tips on resistors usage and power connection would be great

In what exact circumstance? I don't think there's any way we can answer such a broad question, would you ask a mechanic for some tips on getting power to the back wheels? Electronics is a huge field, you won't pick it up over night. For example at this point I see no need for resistors at all.

explain meaning of these slides and power connecting scenarios.

Sorry to repeat, sure we could make a guess or two but without documentation there's not much we can do IMO. If the people you purchased from don't provide proper documentation (and nobody here has experience with the same boards) then bin the components and buy from someone who does the right thing.

main problem for me starts when it goes to connecting parts, especially shield to arduino

They (the shields and Arduino that is) just plug together, subject to the above caveat about pin clashing.

Rob

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Ok i have found on some foreign auction site an auction of the same shield with pins explained,
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Factory-Directly-Sale-NEW-V3-Motor-controller-Shield-L298N-2A-2-motors-for-UNO-R3-Atmega328/213957_623601863.html, now i have to just plug shield onto arduino and similar pins from shield and board will be connected or i have to connect it with additional wiring ?

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Before you plug the shield onto the Arduino make sure you understand what those slide switches are for and set them correctly. If you fail to do this correctly then you may damage something when you turn it on.

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ok im back with questions, i succesfuly connected BT module to Arduino and it is working, i know how to plug on motor shield and which pins use to operate motors but i have questions about powering it up, within "documentation" that ive recieved from retailer there are 4 scenarios

  1. motor voltage is <6v
  2. is 6-12v
  3. is 12-16v
  4. is 16-48v
    detalied explanation of scenarios : http://arduino-info.wikispaces.com/ArduinoShieldL298N
    i understand that VEX stands for Voltage EXternal and VIN Voltage INternal.
    I have two 3v motors from Tamiya 70168 gearbox and my question is how many power supplies do i need and why, i know that arduino, bt module and motor shield logic is going to be powered by arduino itself so if im correct i need 1 power supply for arduino and 1 for powering motors.
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bt module and motor shield logic is going to be powered by arduino itself so if im correct

Probably, as long as they don't draw too much power.

i need 1 power supply for arduino and 1 for powering motors.

Sounds right, if the motors where a higher voltage (7V or more) you could get by with a single supply, but at 3V you'll need a separate supply for them.

Rob

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My friend who is self learner suggested to me to treat motors as 6+v but limit pwm which regulates speed, is this good solution ?

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I suggest using a low-voltage hobby RC ESC, use the Arduino to convert the signal from the Bluetooth into a readable signal.
make ensure the ESC supports Skid steering (Basically moving one Track Forward and one Backward to turn)

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Well i have Arduino shield doing that for me, but i have enoutered another problem, motors are 3v and they can generate enough power to move my RC, so where would be problem ? is it they are to weak or that the power delivered from arduinos VIN is too low ? Or is it shields problem coz i noticed that first declared and powered motor within arduino code is working better and faster, and if i try to slow it down by simply apling friction 2nd motor just complitely stops

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