Vorpal The Hexapod Troubleshooting Guide - Revision history

Vorpalwiki: /* Hexapod works at first, but loses height while walking, and/or hip servos lose home position */

2020-07-13T16:09:23Z

‎Hexapod works at first, but loses height while walking, and/or hip servos lose home position

Vorpalwiki: /* No lights are visible on the Nano, Bluetooth module, or Servo Driver */

2020-02-25T14:59:44Z

‎No lights are visible on the Nano, Bluetooth module, or Servo Driver

Vorpalwiki at 17:36, 28 January 2020

2020-01-28T17:36:21Z

Vorpalwiki at 17:34, 28 January 2020

2020-01-28T17:34:53Z

Vorpalwiki: /* Hexapod Constantly Beeps in All Three Of STOP, DEMO, and RC Mode */

2020-01-28T17:32:05Z

‎Hexapod Constantly Beeps in All Three Of STOP, DEMO, and RC Mode

Vorpalwiki: /* Hexapod Works in Demo Mode but in RC Mode it constantly beeps and won't respond to gamepad */

2020-01-28T17:31:45Z

‎Hexapod Works in Demo Mode but in RC Mode it constantly beeps and won't respond to gamepad

Vorpalwiki: /* Hexapod Constantly Beeps in All Three Of STOP, DEMO, and RC Mode */

2020-01-28T17:31:19Z

‎Hexapod Constantly Beeps in All Three Of STOP, DEMO, and RC Mode

Vorpalwiki: /* Hexapod does not work in STOP, TEST, or DEMO Modes */

2020-01-28T17:31:04Z

‎Hexapod does not work in STOP, TEST, or DEMO Modes

Vorpalwiki: /* Hexapod Constantly Beeps in All Three Of STOP, DEMO, and RC Mode */

2020-01-28T17:30:11Z

‎Hexapod Constantly Beeps in All Three Of STOP, DEMO, and RC Mode

Vorpalwiki: /* Hexapod Works in Demo Mode but stands motionless in response to gamepad */

2020-01-28T17:29:09Z

‎Hexapod Works in Demo Mode but stands motionless in response to gamepad

@@ Line 97: / Line 97: @@
 Repeat the above procedure to find any hip servos (the ones attached to the main body) that drift. In the case of hip servos, you do not need to use ADJUST mode since they are always at 90 degrees in STAND mode.  Observe how many of them do not return to 90 degrees after running DEMO mode.  Again, remember you need to start from a cool robot so turn it off for a few minutes before testing.
-Count up how many servos are bad and send that number to support@vorpalrobotics.com (assuming you bought them from us).  Make the subject SERVO DRIFT and we will send the new servos out right away.
+Replace any servos that have the issue. If you purchased the servos from us and you are still within the six month warranty period we will replace them without charge, just send email to support@vorpalrobotics.com.
 ==Gamepad D-PAD Buttons Perform Incorrect Functions==

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:59, 25 February 2020
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	These subsections assume you've turned the dial to STOP then turned on the power switch, and the robot does not spring to life and stand up. The servos may slightly twitch or may not move at all.		These subsections assume you've turned the dial to STOP then turned on the power switch, and the robot does not spring to life and stand up. The servos may slightly twitch or may not move at all.
		+
		+	===Lights appear on Nano and Bluetooth module, buzzer beeps on startup, but servos do not move===
		+	If you self-sourced parts, the most common cause of this is that you did not place a shunt between VCC and V+ on the servo driver module. Failing to tie those two pins together (you can use a short jumper if you don't have a shunt) means the servos get no power. (The kits we provide all have the shunt pre-installed, but you might just take a look to be sure it didn't come off.)
		+
		+	Another possible cause (whether you self-sourced or not) is the SDA/SCL pins on the servo driver might be reversed, not connected to the correct nano pins, or the wires could be bad (loose connectors).
		+
		+	Rarely, there could be a bad servo driver and you'd have to contact support@vorpalrobotics.com to arrange for a replacement.

	===No lights are visible on the Nano, Bluetooth module, or Servo Driver===		===No lights are visible on the Nano, Bluetooth module, or Servo Driver===

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:36, 28 January 2020
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	{{float_box\|{{VCH Quick Links}} }}		{{float_box\|{{VCH Quick Links}} }}
		+
		+	==Applicability: Gigapod, Megapod, and Hexapod==
		+	This trouble shooting guide applies to all three sizes of our hexapod project, because all three use very similar electronics, and all three use the same exact gamepad design and software.

	==Hexapod does not work in STOP, TEST, or DEMO Modes==		==Hexapod does not work in STOP, TEST, or DEMO Modes==

@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 You only need to flash the robot Nano.  If you are unable to flash the Nano (for example you are sure you set the TOOLS/PORT menu in the IDE correctly but you get "not in sync" errors) then the Nano itself may be defective, possibly due to static discharge.  In that case contact customer support support@vorpalrobotics.com
-===Hexapod Constantly Beeps in All Three Of STOP, DEMO, and RC Mode===
+==Hexapod Constantly Beeps in All Three Of STOP, DEMO, and RC Mode==
 If the Hexapod constantly beeps in all three of these modes: STOP, DEMO, RC, then the issue is almost always that the Servo Driver is not connected properly. The robot's nano attempts to talk to the servo driver, but nothing comes back. So the Nano will beep then attempt to reboot the servo driver. But that doesn't work (because wiring is bad) so the cycle repeats, causing a nonstop beeping sound.
@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 Rarely, this can also be a bad servo driver board. Contact customer (support AT vorpalrobotics.com) support if you're sure the wiring is good and you still have this issue.
-===Hexapod Works in Demo Mode but in RC Mode it constantly beeps and won't respond to gamepad===
+==Hexapod Works in Demo Mode but in RC Mode it constantly beeps and won't respond to gamepad==
 This issue is almost always caused by bad wiring between the robot's HC05 Bluetooth module and the robot's Arduino Nano.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:32, 28 January 2020
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	Rarely, this can also be a bad servo driver board. Contact customer (support AT vorpalrobotics.com) support if you're sure the wiring is good and you still have this issue.		Rarely, this can also be a bad servo driver board. Contact customer (support AT vorpalrobotics.com) support if you're sure the wiring is good and you still have this issue.
		+
		+	===Hexapod Works in Demo Mode but in RC Mode it constantly beeps and won't respond to gamepad===
		+	This issue is almost always caused by bad wiring between the robot's HC05 Bluetooth module and the robot's Arduino Nano.
		+
		+	There are several different ways the wiring can be bad:
		+	# TX and RX and reversed or otherwise misconnected.
		+	# TX and/or RX pins on HC05 are using a jumper wire that is loose. Sometimes you'll get a jumper that doesn't hold tightly to a pin. This lack of holding could be either on the HC05 pin or on the corresponding Nano pin. If the wire basically falls off if you just shake the module, then it's too loose. You can either tighten it by pressing on the connector with the hex key, or you can just swap the wire with a spare that's not too loose.

	==Servos Can't Lift Hexapod or are Sluggish==		==Servos Can't Lift Hexapod or are Sluggish==

@@ Line 84: / Line 84: @@
 IMPORTANT NOTE: We will continue to honor requests to replace servos that had this problem, purchased between about October 2017 and January 2018, until July 1, 2019.
 ==Gamepad D-PAD Buttons Perform Incorrect Functions==
 For example, the backwards button makes the robot turn around in circles, the left button makes it walk forward, etc. This is almost always because the D-PAD module you have doesn't match the current firmware settings in the Gamepad.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:31, 28 January 2020
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	You only need to flash the robot Nano. If you are unable to flash the Nano (for example you are sure you set the TOOLS/PORT menu in the IDE correctly but you get "not in sync" errors) then the Nano itself may be defective, possibly due to static discharge. In that case contact customer support support@vorpalrobotics.com		You only need to flash the robot Nano. If you are unable to flash the Nano (for example you are sure you set the TOOLS/PORT menu in the IDE correctly but you get "not in sync" errors) then the Nano itself may be defective, possibly due to static discharge. In that case contact customer support support@vorpalrobotics.com
		+
		+	==Hexapod Constantly Beeps in All Three Of STOP, DEMO, and RC Mode==
		+	If the Hexapod constantly beeps in all three of these modes: STOP, DEMO, RC, then the issue is almost always that the Servo Driver is not connected properly. The robot's nano attempts to talk to the servo driver, but nothing comes back. So the Nano will beep then attempt to reboot the servo driver. But that doesn't work (because wiring is bad) so the cycle repeats, causing a nonstop beeping sound.
		+
		+	Check the SDA/SCL wires going to the Servo Driver. They could be swapped, or one or both of those wires might not have a good grip on the pin (on either or both of the servo driver and Nano sides of the connection).
		+
		+	Rarely, this can also be a bad servo driver board. Contact customer (support AT vorpalrobotics.com) support if you're sure the wiring is good and you still have this issue.

	==Servos Can't Lift Hexapod or are Sluggish==		==Servos Can't Lift Hexapod or are Sluggish==

@@ Line 145: / Line 145: @@
 * The gamepad battery may be low or dead.
 * Your Bluetooth module may not be getting power, check wiring, especially the VCC and GND connections. Make sure jumper wires do not fall loosely off the pins, if they do you should swap to a new jumper wire or press on the little plastic tab on the connector with the hex key to tighten up the wire.
 {{Vorpal Quick Links}}