I'm new o Arduino, but I have a pretty good understanding for electronics and programming.
I just bought a Arduino and a starter kit, but the experiments in it was way to simple for me, I want and need a bigger challenges to stay interested in stuff. So I decided that I want to build a RC-car to start with, continuing to build a quadcopter later on
Do I need two shields to control all four motors, or do I need just one? Or can the Arduino control all four?
The reason for the Bluetooth is that later on, I plan on controlling it with a PS3-controller.
There are also plans for expanding the project, attaching more servos and so on for other stuff.
I apologize in advance if this thread has been created in the wrong section of the form.
Edit: Looking at the picture of the shield, it looks like I'm able to connect four motors to the shield... Is this correct?
You probably won't be able to make just one single purchase and be on your way. Things often come up that you weren't able to anticipate. So don't worry if that happens. The motor shield says it will power 4 motors, the car has 4 motors. You still need external power for the shield. So a battery pack would be good. The Arduino has 6 analog I/O pins. So you will only need the one board. Also, don't rely on pics. Always look at data sheets if available or any other info they may have provided in addition, or in lieu of.
Probably I will need to order more parts as you said, but I'd like to get as much as possible in the first go since the delivery time is about four weeks to Sweden, but it's a fifth of the price
Theoretically, if I need eight motors, not that it will be needed in the near future but anyway. Can I connect several motor-shields on top of each other? And if yes, how will I be able to control the motors separately?
I'm not very familiar with their shields, or shields in general, but in the video on their webpage they said you can stack them and that allows you the addition of 2 more motors...not 4 more. Read the info they provide first. It will probably answer more questions than I'm able to. The arduino's analog outputs are ideal for motors, but you can do it with the digital ones via pwm. I did a quick search and found this, Arduino Playground - DCMotorControl. That might get you started. There is a vast amount of information on this. I highly encourage you to search around this website and google what you're doing here. It's a very common topic. Also, once you have the parts and get to start putting things together it will make much more sense.
I'm not sure if that Bluetooth module is able to pair with a PS3 controller, usually you need a USB shield and bluetooth dongle to connect to one. You definitely should do some research on that and see what the specs of that module are and what it is capable of doing.
HazardsMind:
I'm not sure if that Bluetooth module is able to pair with a PS3 controller, usually you need a USB shield and bluetooth dongle to connect to one. You definitely should do some research on that and see what the specs of that module are and what it is capable of doing.
Just looked in to this, and you are right!
With the one I picked, i could connect my phone to controll it, but not much else.
To connect the PS3-controller, I need to be able to set a static MAC, something the smaller device didn't support...
Another question for further expansion of the project, does it matter in what order shields are stacked?
The only thing I could find is that as long as the pins are not used by another shield, you are good to go! Id this true or is there something else I need to know?
Wrong again, they are both inputs and outputs but only for digital purposes. However you can NOT output an analog signal from them or use the standard PWM.
Wrong again, they are both inputs and outputs but only for digital purposes. However you can NOT output an analog signal from them or use the standard PWM.
