RoboSavvy Forum

RCB-4 on my KHR-3HV exploded! Where to buy a replacement?

2010-02-09T00:53:01+01:00

chrisvo wrote:
I have not had battery heat issues. I'm in the United States, plugging the charger directly into 110v. I've also used the Kondo charger in Europe, with a transformer to convert 240v to 110v, with no issues.

I used a step down transformer to 115 which seemed OK for manufacturer
But I wake this morning and kondo power supply running on transformer dead...

Statistics: Posted by Thex1138 — Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:53 am

RCB-4 on my KHR-3HV exploded! Where to buy a replacement?

2010-02-08T18:26:27+01:00

I have not had battery heat issues. I'm in the United States, plugging the charger directly into 110v. I've also used the Kondo charger in Europe, with a transformer to convert 240v to 110v, with no issues.

Statistics: Posted by chrisvo — Mon Feb 08, 2010 6:26 pm

RCB-4 on my KHR-3HV exploded! Where to buy a replacement?

2010-02-08T17:02:08+01:00

Hi Thex1138

I think you used a wrong transformer. The working voltage of the MX-201 charger should be 100V. Japan is a 100V country not 110V. I already got my burn. Please take caution.

By the way, I will send my parts to kondo for repair soon and hopefully I can get them back by the end of Feb. so that I can start the robot again.

Statistics: Posted by taylor — Mon Feb 08, 2010 5:02 pm

RCB-4 on my KHR-3HV exploded! Where to buy a replacement?

2010-02-08T13:05:50+01:00

chrisvo wrote:
I wonder are you using a gyro and accelerometer for balance?

We are using just a Kondo KRG-3 gyro right now plugged in as specified by the manuals and using the built-in mixing that is part of the RCB-4 and Heart2Heart4. Right now we apply only weak mixing. It helps a little bit, not that much. We currently do not use the accelerometer for balance. The Kondo RAS-2 is too noisy for that. You're supposed to use the Kondo accelerometer just to detect if you've fallen.

There are much better ways of course, but the RCB-4 only offers mixing.

For example, this guy uses a gyro (with an programmed integrator) to get an absolute measurement of position. He controls the servos with his custom controller:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cJA5QR4fkA

Hey there Chris,

When you're recharging your nimh battery... does your charger normally get really hot?
Since being in Australia, I have a transformer to down the 240v to 110v, then plug in my Kondo transformer...
My new battery does not get warm, but charger/transformer gets hot...
Do you or anyone else experience this?
I am looking to get a 'lab' power supply though... like you noted earlier...
I am getting a bit sick of this battery issue... is putting me off the kit in a way...
I can't switch to LiPo until after warranty period.... Then I'll use Lipo with power regulator.

Geez, 12 hour battery recharge... LiPo takes an hour for more Amps!
It feels a bit dangerous running a hot transformer and charger for 12 hours...
I recharge my LiPo radio car batteries in about 1 hour for about 6 hours usage depending on the mAh usage...

Statistics: Posted by Thex1138 — Mon Feb 08, 2010 1:05 pm

RCB-4 on my KHR-3HV exploded! Where to buy a replacement?

2010-02-08T01:47:04+01:00

I wonder are you using a gyro and accelerometer for balance?

We are using just a Kondo KRG-3 gyro right now plugged in as specified by the manuals and using the built-in mixing that is part of the RCB-4 and Heart2Heart4. Right now we apply only weak mixing. It helps a little bit, not that much. We currently do not use the accelerometer for balance. The Kondo RAS-2 is too noisy for that. You're supposed to use the Kondo accelerometer just to detect if you've fallen.

There are much better ways of course, but the RCB-4 only offers mixing.

For example, this guy uses a gyro (with an programmed integrator) to get an absolute measurement of position. He controls the servos with his custom controller:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cJA5QR4fkA

Statistics: Posted by chrisvo — Mon Feb 08, 2010 1:47 am

RCB-4 on my KHR-3HV exploded! Where to buy a replacement?

2010-02-07T10:33:21+01:00

chrisvo wrote:
Hey there Crisvo... just a question, when you work on them in the lab what kind of projects do you work on the kits with?

I work in the area of robotic motion planning (like too many other people). Humanoids are generally more interesting to me than wheeled robots because there are many more actuators to plan for, and you also have to prevent the robot from falling. My colleagues work on other problems related to the humanoid robot such as simultaneous localization and planning, and evolutionary algorithms.

Partly for fun, and partly to motivate research, we also are participating in RoboCup 2010 soccer competition in the autonomous humanoid league. Here's our small web site about that:
http://cs.gmu.edu/~robotics/pmwiki.php/ ... boPatriots

I had a look at your lab videos and it's pretty interesting.
I wonder are you using a gyro and accelerometer for balance?

Statistics: Posted by Thex1138 — Sun Feb 07, 2010 10:33 am

RCB-4 on my KHR-3HV exploded! Where to buy a replacement?

2010-02-04T14:49:10+01:00

chrisvo wrote:
Hey there Crisvo... just a question, when you work on them in the lab what kind of projects do you work on the kits with?

I work in the area of robotic motion planning (like too many other people). Humanoids are generally more interesting to me than wheeled robots because there are many more actuators to plan for, and you also have to prevent the robot from falling. My colleagues work on other problems related to the humanoid robot such as simultaneous localization and planning, and evolutionary algorithms.

Partly for fun, and partly to motivate research, we also are participating in RoboCup 2010 soccer competition in the autonomous humanoid league. Here's our small web site about that:
http://cs.gmu.edu/~robotics/pmwiki.php/ ... boPatriots

I watched your vids, they're great.
Once I get my KHR-3 Up and walking my GF will stop nagging me about it laying on the chair motionless lol
I'll do some vids as well. Bi-peds are much more fun to develop.
I also am looking to design / fabricate my own biped over time..
Lastly trying to find a few local builders to maybe put a Sydney comp together...
A fair way to go though.

Statistics: Posted by Thex1138 — Thu Feb 04, 2010 2:49 pm

RCB-4 on my KHR-3HV exploded! Where to buy a replacement?

2010-02-04T14:40:39+01:00

Hey there Crisvo... just a question, when you work on them in the lab what kind of projects do you work on the kits with?

I work in the area of robotic motion planning (like too many other people). Humanoids are generally more interesting to me than wheeled robots because there are many more actuators to plan for, and you also have to prevent the robot from falling. My colleagues work on other problems related to the humanoid robot such as simultaneous localization and planning, and evolutionary algorithms.

Partly for fun, and partly to motivate research, we also are participating in RoboCup 2010 soccer competition in the autonomous humanoid league. Here's our small web site about that:
http://cs.gmu.edu/~robotics/pmwiki.php/ ... boPatriots

Statistics: Posted by chrisvo — Thu Feb 04, 2010 2:40 pm

RCB-4 on my KHR-3HV exploded! Where to buy a replacement?

2010-02-04T14:19:47+01:00

chrisvo wrote:
Thanks for the update, Pedro!

I want to add that I've used Kondo parts for years (having built at least 5 humanoid robots, including the 1HV and 3HV) and never had an issue, and never had to go back to the manufacturer for any reason.

Also, the 3HV is just about the best advanced humanoid kit for the money. It has strong serial servos (and metal geared, unlike the Bioloid kit), good range of motion, and simple, durable frame. There has been mostly a lack of documentation in English, but we've been able to get by.

So I hope the problem with my RCB-4 was isolated to just my board - we're planning to purchase 3 more KHR-3HVs here at our robotics lab soon.

Hey there Crisvo... just a question, when you work on them in the lab what kind of projects do you work on the kits with?
Range of motion or developing motion algorithms / sequences?

Statistics: Posted by Thex1138 — Thu Feb 04, 2010 2:19 pm

RCB-4 on my KHR-3HV exploded! Where to buy a replacement?

2010-02-04T14:11:58+01:00

Thanks for the update, Pedro!

I want to add that I've used Kondo parts for years (having built at least 5 humanoid robots, including the 1HV and 3HV) and never had an issue, and never had to go back to the manufacturer for any reason.

Also, the 3HV is just about the best advanced humanoid kit for the money. It has strong serial servos (and metal geared, unlike the Bioloid kit), good range of motion, and simple, durable frame. There has been mostly a lack of documentation in English, but we've been able to get by.

So I hope the problem with my RCB-4 was isolated to just my board - we're planning to purchase 3 more KHR-3HVs here at our robotics lab soon.

Statistics: Posted by chrisvo — Thu Feb 04, 2010 2:11 pm

RCB-4 on my KHR-3HV exploded! Where to buy a replacement?

2010-02-04T13:37:08+01:00

It probably short circuited with the explosion of the regulator and the chemistry may have died.

I would recommend sending the battery together with the controller when you send them for repairs.

If you want to buy an extra battery, we DO have those in stock, in our store. Just search for 'khr battery'.

In any case you should be able to send it to the manufacturer with the damaged controller for repair.

Regards
Pedro

Statistics: Posted by PedroR — Thu Feb 04, 2010 1:37 pm

RCB-4 on my KHR-3HV exploded! Where to buy a replacement?

2010-02-04T13:30:28+01:00

PedroR wrote:
Hi Guys

FYI, for history sake, these issues are not new to Kondo but they very swift and effective in fixing them.
If I recall, two years there were a couple of customers who had some power issues with Kondo servos (788HV) but too. It has since been fixed and never happened again (it was likely a problematic batch).

Regards
Pedro.

Have you had any battery issues where the battery fails to hold a charge?

My kit in question had the servo fail and the battery no longer holds charge...

Statistics: Posted by Thex1138 — Thu Feb 04, 2010 1:30 pm

RCB-4 on my KHR-3HV exploded! Where to buy a replacement?

2010-02-04T15:31:13+01:00

Hi Guys

Allow me to step and explain the Official position of IXS which the distributor of Kondo outside Japan.

Both users who report the issue have already contacted us (Robosavvy) and we made a number of contacts with IXS about this.

Turns out you are not alone and this behaviour has been occasionally observed with other users.
Having said this, bear in mind that NOT all boards have suffered with this issue.
We have sold quite a few kits and we've only has these 2 incidents.

I believe Kondo is accepting responsibility for the issue and offers repair under warranty.

FYI, for history sake, this is the second time we've encountered such an issue with Kondo but they are very swift and effective in fixing them.
If I recall, two years there were a couple of customers who had some power issues with Kondo servos (788HV) too. It has was fixed at the time and never happened again.

Regards
Pedro.

Statistics: Posted by PedroR — Thu Feb 04, 2010 1:26 pm

RCB-4 on my KHR-3HV exploded! Where to buy a replacement?

2010-01-28T09:36:52+01:00

chrisvo wrote:
I'm sending the board back to Kondo. The explosion blew holes in the Renesas M16C series chip.

Here's a picture (click for bigger):

In this picture you can also see that the copper traces from pins 9 and 11 (GND and Vcc) on the Renesas chip toasted the soldermask.

Hi Chrisvo
I think you got the same problem like me.I still have not the hole in the body of the chip because I turned off the board before the explosion.
Please, make sure the voltage of 4805BF integral stabilizer in case it still alive.The output voltage must be +5V if the incoming voltage is till 11 V.
If the stabilizer still alive nobody will say you are guilty.
I think this is a problem with the bulk of the chips purchased by Kondo from manufacturers.

Statistics: Posted by Novice — Thu Jan 28, 2010 9:36 am

RCB-4 on my KHR-3HV exploded! Where to buy a replacement?

2010-01-28T02:04:39+01:00

chrisvo wrote:
I'm sending the board back to Kondo. The explosion blew holes in the Renesas M16C series chip.

Here's a picture (click for bigger):
.....

t would seem that the voltage is a bit too high for the board and servos. Probably needs a more robust voltage regulator.

My ni--cad battery also died.

I would have thought that Kondo would have a better product with the third generation...

Statistics: Posted by Thex1138 — Thu Jan 28, 2010 2:04 am