Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: Conscripted on May 08, 2008, 11:57:59 AM

Title: 50 dollar robot power switch
Post by: Conscripted on May 08, 2008, 11:57:59 AM
Hello again. I'm working on my 50 dollar robot. I want to add a power switch to my bot but I'm using two batteries instead of the 6v battery pack. Where would I put the switch that it will work for both the 9v and the AAA battery pack?

Conscripted
Title: Re: 50 dollar robot power switch
Post by: airman00 on May 08, 2008, 12:01:24 PM
have them share common ground(common negative) and hook a switch between the two batteries' ground and the circuit
Title: Re: 50 dollar robot power switch
Post by: izua on May 08, 2008, 12:23:41 PM
you'll need a SPDT or DPDT switch.
connect each pole to a set of V+, and the common will be your Supply voltage. Remember to wire both grounds (-).
A switch with a middle position, where none of the poles are active might be useful, since you can also stop your robot.
Title: Re: 50 dollar robot power switch
Post by: superchiku on May 08, 2008, 12:24:45 PM
if ur using two batteries then i suppose one will be for the motors and one for the elecrtronics , if that is the case then i suggest use separate switches coz it will be easy to test and debug ur codes if u dont want ur motor running while  test them
Title: Re: 50 dollar robot power switch
Post by: bukowski on May 09, 2008, 10:38:51 AM
I agree with superchiku. I used a 4.8V pack with a switch included and a I put a switch on the 9v. That way I could mess with the micorcontroller circuit without running down the servo batteries.
Title: Re: 50 dollar robot power switch
Post by: Conscripted on May 09, 2008, 01:06:32 PM
if ur using two batteries then i suppose one will be for the motors and one for the elecrtronics , if that is the case then i suggest use separate switches coz it will be easy to test and debug ur codes if u dont want ur motor running while  test them
I agree with superchiku. I used a 4.8V pack with a switch included and a I put a switch on the 9v. That way I could mess with the micorcontroller circuit without running down the servo batteries.
I never considered that option. Looks like that will be the way I go. 
Thanks
Title: Re: 50 dollar robot power switch
Post by: Webbot on May 09, 2008, 02:20:39 PM
Since the $50 Robot has an LED when that is ON when the controller is on then I also found it useful to add an extra LED connected to the motor supply.  Otherwise its hard to know that the motor power is on. So when you next turn the controller on the robot shoots off the table  You can use the same resistor and LED values as for the 5v supply if you have a 4xAA battery box.