problems with sabertooth

haz · Post by **haz** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 2:36 pm

hey i am trying to find out what the problem is for my robot. when i turn it on it will drive normaly for a few seconds then if i try to go forwards it slams the robot into reverse and it dosnt respond to controles.
what i am using is:
sabertooth 5a
50:1 hp gear motors
6v nimh battery
30:1 gear motor for the axe
servo board

Remote-Controlled Dave · Sat Feb 26, 2011 3:22 pm

Have you got the switches on the Sabretooth set properly?

haz · Post by **haz** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 3:26 pm

yes all that is double and tripple checked.

olivers · Post by **olivers** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 5:03 pm

Try using just the drive motors first, if still a problem try 1 motor.

Try and get it down to 1 thing. How many mAh does the battery have?

Sounds like something could be drawing too much current and the speed controller could be resetting.

haz · Post by **haz** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 5:16 pm

it is 120mah

daliad100 · Post by **daliad100** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 5:24 pm

Are you sure you don't have it in the wrong mode? I remember stack error driving backwards when I first made it because I had switch 5 on instead of off

haz · Post by **haz** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 5:29 pm

ok i will check again

Remote-Controlled Dave · Sat Feb 26, 2011 6:18 pm

Are you sure you don't have it in the wrong mode? I remember stack error driving backwards when I first made it because I had switch 5 on instead of off

Yeah, I had the same issue cos it was in the wrong mode. I don't think the pictures are very clear on the instructions with the Sabretooth. Try turning all the switches to off, and then switching on one at a time. I'm fairly sure on mine there's only one switch in the 'on' position.

haz · Post by **haz** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 9:23 pm

its............. idiot question time!!!

- what does "enabling autocalibrate" (switch 5) mean/do
- do i want "disable timeout" or "enable signal timeout" (switch 6)
- what does "disable exponetial" do (switch 2)
- if i dont have the flip channel plugged in would that affect the robot?

sorry for the stuipid questions i am trying not to make (more)expensive mistakes

Remote-Controlled Dave · Sat Feb 26, 2011 9:42 pm

Well, I know not having the flip channel plugged in doesn't matter cos I've never had it plugged in.

As for the switches, I'm still fairly sure I've only got one enabled on mine. Though due to the way I build I can't open it up and have a look for you