HOW TO WIRE A ROBOT By: Brandon Lim Kalvin Chang
Introduction:
5/15/15 updated 6/9/15
Why do you need to wire?
If you do not wire your robot, then your robot cannot move, since the motors are not connected to any power source.
Materials:
(For up to 8 motors)
• 4 motor controllers
Analogy Organs (relay point)
• 8 motors
Muscles
• 8 Motor wires
Tendons
• 8 Pairs of (thin) battery wires (red + black) • 1 Battery (12V) • 1 NXT brick • At least 4 NXT wires • 1 ON/ OFF switch AlphaGenesis 6436
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• 1 Screwdriver pen
God/ the Creator
• Screws and bolts
Ligaments
• (Tetrix bars)
Skeletal System
Steps: I. Setup 1. Find a spot for the motor controllers • requirements: * cannot move * will not be hit/ obstructed * inside the robot * if there’s space * should be relatively close to the motor itself • tips * place the motor controllers towards the center * pros: can equally extend to * cons: hard to reach, might get messy/ tangled * wire motors in pairs (wheel motors together) • use rounded head short screws CAUTION: BE SURE NOT TO CHIP THE PLASTIC SIDES OFF (do NOT screw the nuts on too tightly)
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2. Find spot for NXT brick and 12V battery • NXT: needs to be near the motor controllers • battery: safe place that is easily reached (you can build a platform for it)
II. Connection 3. Start connecting and taping motor wires • preferably electrical tape
4. Connect motor wires to motor controllers • make sure wires do not dangle out from robot • can wrap in/ around Tetrix bars to shorten the wire A. Loosen motor controller hole/ port labelled “Motor” a bit with screwdriver pen B. Stick motor wires up the motor controller hole C. Tighten hole with screwdriver pen D. Tug on it lightly to check whether it’s connected or not • In general, red goes to + , black goes to –
5. Attach the ON/ OFF switch (you can build an extension) • This switch has three wires: thick black, thick red, and thin red. A. Connect thick black and thin red to 1 motor controller (hereinafter the “central” M.C.) (under “Battery” port)
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B. Connect thick red to the 12V battery.
6. Transfer power to EACH motor controller with battery wires • Connect battery wires to a “Battery” port from the central M.C. with screwdriver pen • can use daisy chain system • Make sure EACH motor controller is connected to the central M.C. somehow 7. Connect NXT wires to NXT brick ports 1, 2, 3, or 4 directly, by hand
III. Checking • turn on the ON/ OFF switch * if ALL motor controllers turn red, then the wiring is probably • check the wiring (trace each wire to make sure it works) * Is each one connected to the battery? * to the NXT brick? * to the motors? • Strip wires if the wires get tangled * use the wire cutter to cut part of it
Programmer’s Note Hopefully, your robot works. There’s nothing more frustrating than faulty wiring. From a programmer’s perspective, please make sure the wiring is not all over the place and not tangled. Good luck and happy wiring!
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