A Little Mistake!

Question

Hi, I received my kit and I have been loving it...until I slipped a bit and blew one of the 220uf 6.3 capacitors (Thankfully I had my safety glasses on because the cap rocketed off). The board is still functioning but I want to swap the capacitor. My local shops only carry a 220 10v and I was wondering if that was an acceptable solution or should I swap out equivalent specification parts?

DJ Sures · Answer

That capacitor you listed will work Are you putting voltage back into the ez-b connectors?

mattkulcsar · Answer

Thanks for your quick response! Yes, I was using an off-the-shelf 7.2v rechargeable battery pack to hook up the EZ-B to power the Rover 5 I purchased from your site. I don't know if I was sloppy and allowed unintentional contact but the sequence went: 1) Saw a spark 2) Saw some smoke 3) Cap popped off the capacitor This all happened in the matter of a second. Side note: Huge fan of yours, keep up the great work!

DJ Sures · Answer

Thank you Glad to hear your board is still working after that. Looking forward to seeing what you build

mattkulcsar · Answer

Is there any place I can secure instructions on the best way to hook the EZ-B to the Rover 5? I looked at most of the videos but I can't find the information I need. Thanks for your help, Matt

Gunner · Answer

Hello Matt, are you referring to an electrical hookup between EZ-B and the Rover? As I understand, the only connection is via the wireless stream between your PC/ARC and the Rover. There is no wiring required between the EZ-B and Rover. Physically placing the EZ-B onto the Rover is so that you can hook up sensors and whatnot to the EZ-B and utilize them (via the Bluetooth link between EZ-B and your PC) in relationship to the Rovers environment. And as far as a physical connection goes... duct tape works actually I would use plastic/metal standoffs and somehow affix them to the Rover (glue?). That way it is secure when driving, but easily removable. As for power, I suppose you could tap into the Rovers power? as long as it has enough voltage (6v-18v) or just attach the AA battery pack (or your 7.2v pack) to the Rover as well.

Gunner · Answer

You know... it just dawned on me that you might be referring to the rover chassis in the EZ-Robot store, and NOT the Brookstone Rover as I was assuming blush I just looked and it is actually referred too as a "Rover 5" (I thought the "5" was a typo in your post) My bad In that case... that is a whole different story You cannot power it's motors directly off the EZ-B ports, you need a H-Bridge controller for that. That might have been the cause of your original issue. Check out this Tutorial for the the H-Bridge sold in the EZ Store 2.5 Amp Motor Controller

jstarne1 · Answer

Yup gunner is right . Fyi those motors on rover draw up to 4 amps at stall .

mattkulcsar · Answer

Wow, I really appreciate the thorough information provided. Yes I was talking about the Rover 5 and after doing some pencil work and research I came to that same conclusion that I needed the h-bridge. Right now I have a kooky hookup through an Anduino board with a Motor Shield until my wife allows me to spend more money on my hobbies. I'm wearing her down and should have it soon Thanks again!

mattkulcsar · Answer

Just an update to my situation. I swapped out the capacitor for the 10v and everything is working super! I ordered my H-bridge last week and can't wait for it to arrive.

I just wanted to say what a great kit this is. I've been fiddling with micro controllers for a while but your package with the software is amazing. My wife was blown away when my 9 yr old and I set-up the camera and got it to track her movement, honestly she was a little freaked out at first. Keep up the great work. Matt

DJ Sures · Answer

@Matt thank you for the kind words

mattkulcsar

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