Cauldron Skeleton

[youngti]

I appreciate the help but the problem is it works right for Jonny and not for me.  Here is how I have it hooked up.  I've attached a picture.

On HC8
DMX address switch 16 to 256 all off, all others on
Option select switch and header all off
SD card adapter installed on Option select header with vixen00 and vixen01 bins
TTL Out 0 swivel
TTL Out 1 Jaw
TTL Out 2 Nod
TTL Out 3 Tilt
TTL Out 4 LED Eyes (not programed yet)

All servos are connected by signal wire only and the red and black connected to a 7v 1.2 amp wall wart

Trace on board had been cut originally and not re attached for TTL outs

IN 0 PIR( I have tried 0 through 7 changing this line in program,  if (ttl_pin == 0))

AP16 connect from TTL Serial to HC8 TTL serial


AP16
Option switches BR on all others off
Audio select switch at 0
SD card inserted and SFX00 and SFX01.wav on card

it will play the first bin and correct song.  Will not trigger to play the second either with PIR or NO switch.

[youngti]

just put in the new HC8......IT WORKS!  so I have two HC*'s both bad.  I probably did something to them.  I think I will never cut the trace again.

[JonnyMac]

Congrats!

After the Halloween crush you should contact the main office so that you can get those boards repaired.

[youngti]

So I know you spent a lot of time with this and I really appreciate all your help.  It has been more than a year trying to get this to work and now it does.

Thank you so much

[livinlowe]

Its good to know you got it working!

[youngti]

okay so I know you have given me a lot of help.  But I need some advice.  This morning I tested it again and now the servos are jittering.  I have them on a separate 7v 1.2amp power supply.  Only the signal is connected to the HC8.  It was working great, I tried to put them on a 6v, 2amp to see if maybe the 7v was too much,  But it was worse.  Wondering if this is a power issue or interference.   thinking of splitting the 4 servos into two groups and putting them on separate 7v 1.2amp supplies.

Any suggestions?

[JonnyMac]

Again, 1.2A is not cutting it. Servos routinely draw more than a half amp each. Voltage is less important than current. If you can find a 6V, 5A supply you would be better off.

[youngti]

thank you.  Now to search for one that I can fine today or tomorrow.  Do you think it would help if I split the four servos onto two 6v, 2amp?  That way each would be getting 1 amp each.

[JonnyMac]

Chances are that they're not all drawing max amperage at the same time. If you can find a 5-7 volt, 2A supply, give it a go.

[JackMan]

Just curious, are the servo power supplies you are using/testing regulated? Typically voltage that is too high will cause jittery servos.

[livinlowe]

http://www.amazon.com/Power-Adapter-2-1mm-Regulated-Supply/dp/B006QYWHIM

But, you would have to overnight it  :(

[youngti]

how can you tell regulated vs not?

[bsnut]

Congrats is in order.

how can you tell regulated vs not?

It would say it "Switching" or "Regulated on the power supply itself.

BTW, can you tell us or post a photo of what trace you mistakenly cut so other forum members don't make the same mistake you made

[JackMan]

how can you tell regulated vs not?

They're not always labeled. If you're not sure, the only real way to tell is to check the voltage output with a meter without a load. If it's not regulated, the voltage output will be substantially higher than the rating. A non-regulated power supply will output the rated voltage when the load is equal to the rated mA on the power supply. A load larger than the rated mA's will drop the voltage output below the voltage rating and in turn, if the load is less than the rated mA's, the voltage will be higher.

[youngti]

hi all.  I have a question and maybe you guys can help.  This prop has been up and running for a couple of seasons.  It starts to work great, does everything that I wanted.  But a few hours into the night I notice that it is acting tired.  What I mean is it is still working but the head and jaw barely move.  I have the servos on a separate 7 volt 2 or 3 amp power supply form the HC8+.  I checked the servos when this was happening and they were not hot, so I am not sure where to go with this. 

Any suggestions?  is it possible there is some regression in the code?  looking at it myself I cant see anything in the code that would cause it but I am far from an expert.  I was originally thinking that maybe the servos were getting overloaded but I would think then they would be hot.