Axon with DC motors?

[Stephanie]

Hello! :-)

I want to make my first robot, and I want to make it autonomous and use Lynxmotion DC motors. So I saw the Sabertooth dual 5A motor controller, which I plan to purchase along with an Axon microcontroller.

But I'm afraid because I have no idea about how to connect the Axon and the Sabertooth together! Do I need to purchase cables or all the needed cables come with them?

Thank you!
Stephanie

[SmAsH]

well, you don't need to have any "special" cables to connect these together...
just some hook up wire that can take the amperage.
to hook it up refer to: http://www.dimensionengineering.com/datasheets/Sabertooth2X5QuickStart.pdf
you want the second dip switch setup on page 2. this allows for pwm control, the same as with servos!
look at the attached image. the two control pins get connected to digital pins capable of pwm on the axon.
and remember to keep grounds common.

[Stephanie]

well, you don't need to have any "special" cables to connect these together...
just some hook up wire that can take the amperage.
to hook it up refer to: http://www.dimensionengineering.com/datasheets/Sabertooth2X5QuickStart.pdf
you want the second dip switch setup on page 2. this allows for pwm control, the same as with servos!
look at the attached image. the two control pins get connected to digital pins capable of pwm on the axon.
and remember to keep grounds common.

Thanks for the help, James! I greatly appreciate it!

Won't I need this kind of cable to connect it to the Axon?
http://www.robotshop.ca/lynxmotion-sc-01-servo-cable.html

Because the hook up wire doesn't have any end to attach to the microcontroller...

Sorry for asking all these questions... :-x

Stephanie

[Admin]

Won't I need this kind of cable to connect it to the Axon?
http://www.robotshop.ca/lynxmotion-sc-01-servo-cable.html

Yeap that'll work. I always make my own though since I own crimpers.

[Stephanie]

Won't I need this kind of cable to connect it to the Axon?
http://www.robotshop.ca/lynxmotion-sc-01-servo-cable.html

Yeap that'll work. I always make my own though since I own crimpers.

Thanks, admin!

So, guys:

I made a simple table with everything I'm purchasing from RobotShop. (first row is quantity)


Is that enough to build my first robot? I have nothing but a soldering iron, a wire stripper and protection goggles. Aside from the chassis, am I missing anything (e.g. some peculiar cable, some other required tool)?

I'm a total beginner, so even if you find some very obvious error, please point it out.

Love,
Stephanie

[SmAsH]

nope, that looks all good!
but if you are planning on powering the axon with those 12V batteries maybe use a heatsink.
it looks like your going to have fun

[Stephanie]

nope, that looks all good!
but if you are planning on powering the axon with those 12V batteries maybe use a heatsink.
it looks like your going to have fun

Thank you again, James!

I think I'll power the Axon with a 6V battery instead. So how do I connect my 12V battery directly to the Sabertooth? Am I already purchasing the cables?  

The 12V battery looks like this:



Steph~

PS: Wow, you guys are really helpful. Thanks a lot! I'll make sure to come back to SoR as often as I can!  

[SmAsH]

yeap, 6V-7V2 will do fine, to connect power to the sabertooth you will have to have stripped ends that can go into the terminals. i think you will have to get a female connector (one with prongs sticking out the end) as most battery packs come with crimped ends, if not you are good to go.

[Stephanie]

yeap, 6V-7V2 will do fine, to connect power to the sabertooth you will have to have stripped ends that can go into the terminals. i think you will have to get a female connector (one with prongs sticking out the end) as most battery packs come with crimped ends, if not you are good to go.

Thanks! Are these suitable female cables?
http://www.robotshop.ca/sfe-170mm-ff-premium-jumper-wires.html

I don't know if I got it right... Will this work?

[SmAsH]

my bad, im always getting confused because of the crimps
you want male to male or male to open, preferably male to open.
something like http://www.robotshop.ca/sfe-170mm-mm-premium-jumper-wires.html

[Stephanie]

my bad, im always getting confused because of the crimps
you want male to male or male to open, preferably male to open.
something like http://www.robotshop.ca/sfe-170mm-mm-premium-jumper-wires.html

Ah, great! So it's basically Sabertooth to http://www.robotshop.ca/sfe-100mm-wire-jst-blk-blue.html to http://www.robotshop.ca/sfe-170mm-mm-premium-jumper-wires.html to battery?

Too bad I can't mark you as helpful multiple times. Haha :-)

[SmAsH]

the the male cable, chop it in half, strip the ends and have the stripped ends in the terminals and the male end connected to the battery.

[Stephanie]

the the male cable, chop it in half, strip the ends and have the stripped ends in the terminals and the male end connected to the battery.

Got it.

Thanks a lot, James! I hope I'll come back to SoR with a nice robot documented. :-)

[SmAsH]

so do i mate, your welcome.