Hexapod issues.

Other Hardware Motors, Mechanics, Power and CNC
1

Hi all. I am new to the Arduino posts and have a few questions in reference to a project we have been working on. We are new to robotics and found a project on MyMiniFactory and thought, well, this would be a good starting place to get our feet wet. Well, it's been a great project up to the last part which is controlling the unit. We cannot get the unit to respond to the web interface and I am at a loss with the code. I really need someone to look at this and see what we can do to get this to work. I have reached out to the original designer for the project and he had made a new code for the hexapod. We installed the code to the controller and can see the webpage interface but there still doesn't seem to be any communication to the servo controller.

Component list:

32 Channel Servo Controller v2.6
UBEC 4V Max6V
DSN-Mini-360 (DC Step Down Converter)
D1 Mini Wireless Controller (ESP8266MOD)
12V Battery (8 AA)
18 SG-90 Servos

The UBEC is running 5V and the Step Down is set at 7V.

The wiring is set up as follows:

12V Battery spits to the UBEC and the Step Down Converter. The UBEC is connected to the VCC connector on the Servo Controller and the DC Step down is connected to the VDD connector on the Servo controller. The servos are all connected to the servo controller. The wireless controller is connected to the servo controller through the 5V,GND,TX & RX. A power switch is also connected to the battery to turn on and off.

The power works on both boards. The wireless controller broadcast the SSID and it can be connected to via phone or tablet. I can also load the web interface face to the controller but when I do, the unit doesn't respond to any of the commands.

Here is the link to the project files for further review. I will also attach the code if someone can look at it and discuss with me how it works. We really want to learn about robotics and still want to see this project work. I believe it is something I am not doing but will no real understanding of how the code works I would really appreciate some help in understanding. We have researched the web for any idea on how to fix the code or use a different code to no luck.

Links to the project:
Instructables
MyMiniFactory

I thank you for taking a look at this post and look forward in any feedback you can provide.

Hexapod310319_fix_connection_issue.ino (30 KB)

HexapodWiring_01.jpg
HexapodWiring_01.jpg4128×2322 813 KB

2

There is a lot there going on.
I would not want to troubleshoot that very large chunk of code.

Break it down into smaller chunks and test them individually.

The first thing I would test is the interface to the servos. Take a look at the servo sweep tutorial. I know, you are using a servo board so the interface will be different. Rather than servo.write() you will use whatever your board uses.
I have to admit, I could not even find any servo movement commands in your code, but I am not familiar with your board.
If I were going to test individual servos, I would probably set the hexapod on something that held it up off the work surface so the legs could move freely.

After you have all your servos moving, confirming that you have the physical wiring of the servos done properly, then tackle tests to confirm your web interface.

3

Well, that's the issue. We're so new to this world, I don't know either. I have seen what the servo codes should look like for this controller and there is nothing in the code provided by the creator that looks anything like the code that should be used. I am trying to learn how to set up a PS2 controller on the servo board and see if I can at least use it that way.

The end game goal for me is to learn how to run this type of robot. We are very interested in this and unfortunately we probably bit off more then we can chew.

4

WringMaster2B72:
I have seen what the servo codes should look like for this controller and there is nothing in the code provided by the creator that looks anything like the code that should be used

Can you post a link to that servo code? It would help me understand what you will need to do.

Can you use that servo code to write a simple servo sweep to confirm that you can successfully talk to the servos and that your wiring is all good?

5

AA batteries can't provide enough current for that many servos, even if you are using an efficient step down converter. Three or four servos, perhaps.

Use a heavy duty 6V NiMH battery pack intended for RC vehicles.

6

Can you post links to ALL of your components. Unfortunately you've left out the important parts of many of their descriptions e.g. what are the maximum CURRENTs of the UBEC and the Step-down converter?

Steve