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Need Help Extending Wires To Drive Train On My Omnibot

Hey guys, I've adapted the chassis of an Omnibot 2000 a bit and I need to extend the wires to reach the wheels/motors. I'm going to put in my EZ-B goodies when they arrive but it's back ordered and my sister's class needs a mascot for their new robotics team next week. Any advice?

I started with a glitchy omnibot but after some soldering repairs and a new capacitor the original system worked great, UNTIL I cut the wires to the drive train. I just attached a longer set of wires with a splice but now I've got no response from the wheels. I tried a wire nut and then a shrink tube but no response. I'm no electrical engineer, I learn by burning things up. Can anyone tell me what's wrong or suggest a work-around? I just need a solution that will last for a month until EZ-B arrives. Also, I admit it really bugs me that I can't get it to work myself. Maybe the new length and splice create a power drop? ANY ideas welcome, thanks.

Jenn


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#10  
Hey Josh, I didn't see your post before I finished my reply. Yes, Arlan is Jarvis-inspired. I tried to talk the kids into a different color (for originality) but you used their school colors so...oh well. :)
#11  
It's Texas, Richard. The home of Friday night lights. Everyone here loves football, not a lot of robotics help though, lol.
PRO
Belgium
#12  
beetlesmart

can you use this picture.?


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#13  
Umm, yikes. I've posted one pic for my avatar and one for robot help. Both were sideways and both were re-posted upright by this forum. I CAN flip my pics, it just doesn't bother me. Sorry guys, I'll try to mind my P's and Q's when posting.

I just got home and re-read all of the advice before I get started. Thanks again.
#14  
It only bothers the noobs i believe , lol my picture is sideways , always has been.;)
United Kingdom
#15  
Sideways pictures bother me, it is a simple ctrl + , or ctrl + . in windows and shows laziness to me, the same way incorrect spelling and grammar and even failing to hit the shift key when a letter needs to be capitalised bothers me. I guess it's the burden of being a perfectionist. It doesn't bother me enough to mention it though (however since it was brought up I'm mentioning it, it's not only "the noobs").

There's no need to mind your Ps and Qs provided everything is legible though.
PRO
Belgium
#17  
also using caps lock is like chouting to someone.
lets not blow this up,its just a picture.

i agree whit rich.:D
#18  
Oh earlier you asked about wire. It is best to use stranded for several reasons.

1. Higher current capacity than a solid core if the same gauge.

2. Less likely to break wire inside because stranded is more flexible.

3. Soldering a good connection is easier because the crevices between the wire strands allow solder to flow through and around them for more surface area connection.

If all you have is solid wire , use it sparingly as it is harder to work with and generally considered a "cheaper" form of wire.

Wirenuts may not be making a good connection. Soldering them and heat shrink over is best. Using crimp quick connects is a descent second option.

you may have just swapped a couple connections on accident and now neither motor turns , thats possible. There are 6 wires for motors coming out. 2 for each motor. The third motor switches gears from high to low.

When soldering wire a 30 watt iron or higher is fastest and 60/40 rosin core solder is the most forgiving for great connections.

@Dave , people usually turn their heads to one side after talking to me a few minutes anyways lol:)
#19  
Oh and your certainly welcome to duplicate any of my builds you see. I try to document well enough for others to copy my work. Its really flattering and very cool your making a robot for your kids!
#22  
You guys crack me up:)

The wheels are working, it was a wire problem. When I didn't have power on the motor I assumed I had a bad wire or splice in my new wire work. After replacing the extensions three times without success I finally read through your comments again.

I retraced all the wires and checked for breaks (thank you Richard) and finally found a nick on the underside of the original omnibot wire. I must have nicked it while I was messing with it. It was a forehead-slapping moment to be sure, there may have also been quietly mumbled curse words.

Rich: thank you for eliminating my power drop concern

Nomad: thank you for reminding me to check every piece of wire.

Justin: thanks for your orderly well-organized checklist. It could have easily been any of those problems. I'm definitely tucking away that list for future use. PS love the earthquake anchorman pic, lol

Josh: thank you for the inspiration and the wire tips. I did end up replacing all of my solid wire with stranded wire.

Okay, so that build is done until EZ-B gets here. I'm starting my next one (fair warning). So far I've got a roomba, another omnibot, and a Larson scanner. Who knows? You guys are the greatest.

Jenn
#25  
God bless Texas. Greetings from Buster, Buster Jr. and Roger the bookmaker in Kerrville Texas.
#26  
Hey Bookmaker,

I think this thread is over but I couldn't resist saying howdy to a fellow Texan, especially one so close to River's Edge (I think it's called 1011 now) and those yummy burgers. See you on the community boards.

Jenn
#27  
That's awesome Jenn, I'm glad you found the issue. You are welcome! I'm looking forward to seeing how your robot progresses.
#28  
Hello Jenn,

What did you use to extend the base?
#29  
Sfoy, in case you are still around....I used a heavy duty plastic file storage box with an open top from Ikea. I cut a wood top (3/4" birch) to enclose the box and routered the edges to transition from the file box to the Omnibot frame. In the front of the box I cut a square around the vented center and added trim, hinges, and a lock to create a locker instead of an inaccessible base.