TreadBot

[mister_e]

yeah i already repaired tons of those beauties awhile back, and yes they had Caps failure... but some has Microcontroller failure as well. Maybe you could have a look at the following which explain it to you better than i could
http://www.ecmtogo.com/ECMTips2.htm


And yes, they also have plenty faulty contact/wiring problem too... good old time

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Your config fuse setting is wrong, i suggest you open the .INC file in the PBP folder to see how they set the default one AND to have a look at the following
http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=543

Make sure you really disable ALL analog stuff with your current settings AND that you disable the LVP mode in your config fuses.

[dragons_fire]

thanks mister e, caps are cheap, so its worth a try..

and the config fuses were wrong.. i pretty much knew they were when i posted.. i have got it t flash leds, and to write t my serial lcd. it is also working t the motor driver, but everythign cuts out when the motors get to a certain speed. i think that maybe my batteries might not be able to handle that much drain..

gonnas work on it a bit more tonight after work, and i will post a video of it running on its own when that happens...

[skimask]

thanks mister e, caps are cheap, so its worth a try.. and the config fuses were wrong.. i pretty much knew they were when i posted.. i have got it t flash leds, and to write t my serial lcd. it is also working t the motor driver, but everythign cuts out when the motors get to a certain speed. i think that maybe my batteries might not be able to handle that much drain.. gonnas work on it a bit more tonight after work, and i will post a video of it running on its own when that happens...

Tape a meter up to the top of it and drive around and watch the meter!
Or maybe even make use of one of your analog or comparator ports, kill the motors when the voltage gets too low, use a seperate voltage reference, blink and LED when the volts are good, no blink when volts drop off, etc.etc...(which is why I said add a load of extra vias even if you don't use them, makes it a piece of cake to add this stuff in there)

Batteries - that's what I'm thinking. If I remember right, your motors are driven off a seperate motor driver chip with a mind of it's own and probably doesn't need a full 5v to operate.

[dragons_fire]

ok... so im not sure whats going on now... i think im getting some kind of interference off the motors.. if i move the board about 3" away from the chassis, everyhting works beautifully. then if i put it back near the motors, it cuts off. i havent added caps across the motor leads and case yet, but i may try that tonight..

im not sure, but when the voltage gets low enough, the PIC should reset right? and it appears from my LCD, that everything is just locking up..

it does kinda move though.. i will keep working on it, and let ya all know when i find something...

[mister_e]

mmm, what happen if you try to use the internal OSC (if there's)

Is there a lot of unconnected I/O?

I don't remind your configuration fuses, but you could try to disable the Brow-Out detect or play with it's threshold voltage.

[dragons_fire]

i have played with the fuses, and the threshold... didnt seem to help... im not sure whats causing it to cut out when the motors are close to the chip..

i will try the int osc, and see if that helps...

[skimask]

i have played with the fuses, and the threshold... didnt seem to help... im not sure whats causing it to cut out when the motors are close to the chip..
i will try the int osc, and see if that helps...

For S & G 's, maybe throw a couple of thicknesses of aluminum foil between the board and the motors (taped up or coated somehow of course so it doesn't short out) and ground the foil...see what happens... Might help with the EMI if there is any.

And if it doesn't work...at least it'll keep little green aliens from invading your Treadbot with their evil mind control devices!