RoboSavvy Forum

First User Experience... Not having fun!!! RN-1

2007-09-22T16:58:14+01:00

It does look like the ATmega is damaged. The JTAG and ISP are both disabled on the ATmega in my C3024, so no other way to access it.

You have the same problem with new CPU that the JTAG and ISP pins are used for other C3024 functions, so need to be disabled. I did not do this on my test C3024, and retain JTAG, but lose the 4 analog ports. I made an adapter cable from JTAG to 4 servo connectors, and also added an extra pin in the reset pad.

For a new ATmega, you will also need the bootloader code, since the C3024 code checks it is there, and won't run robobasic programs without it. Let me know if you want that too, or just disable the cC3024 ode which checks for the bootloader.

Anyway thanks for trying.

Statistics: Posted by i-Bot — Sat Sep 22, 2007 4:58 pm

First User Experience... Not having fun!!! RN-1

2007-09-22T12:57:46+01:00

RoboFlash failed to reprogramm the atmega. The loading bar kept increasing as the controller reset and nothing happens after the complete programming cycle.

Statistics: Posted by Voelker — Sat Sep 22, 2007 12:57 pm

First User Experience... Not having fun!!! RN-1

2007-09-22T12:31:01+01:00

Do you perform this operation by the serial link or do you use Jtag or icsp ?
Thanks

Statistics: Posted by Voelker — Sat Sep 22, 2007 12:31 pm

First User Experience... Not having fun!!! RN-1

2007-09-22T09:21:06+01:00

Can you try reflashing the controller before you remove the chip ?

This will satisfy our question of whether it is the code or the chip which is faulty.

Let me know if you need instructions. Roboflash and the original code are in my file area.

http://robosavvy.com/Builders/i-Bot/roboflash.zip

http://robosavvy.com/Builders/i-Bot/payload2.5.bin

Statistics: Posted by i-Bot — Sat Sep 22, 2007 9:21 am

First User Experience... Not having fun!!! RN-1

2007-09-21T17:58:57+01:00

I have finnaly ordered a new controller as i had lost my robonova receipt. The new controler is running well but i slightly different as it seem to be a kind of rearmable fuse on the board. So i own a bricked controller that i am gonna try to hack by changing the atmega.

Statistics: Posted by Voelker — Fri Sep 21, 2007 5:58 pm

First User Experience... Not having fun!!! RN-1

2007-09-17T15:11:45+01:00

What I noticed about the RTW:

The servo wires had styro residue on the leads, as if at some point, either the servos, or the bot, were in a styro box for a while.

The cable bundling job didn't look too terribly bad, though when in squat, he could have ended up severing his cables at the first bend above the foot eventually.

The leads under the back cover were pretty much "smashed" into place. But, there isn't much room with the height of the plugs.

I noticed at least two of the servos had "clicking" points when manually moved and power off. Really slight, like a "tick" sound... Other servos didn't do this. Based on the marks in the box, he was surely tossed around a bit (big brown gorilla - UPS - probably tossed the box more than a few times).

The RTW arrived in the carrying bag. The bot was in a cardboard "flip top" box that didn't do much to keep him from shifting around inside. I would've expected something more substantial, something that would've totally imobilized him, like the familiar precision molded styro cases you have to practically break to get things out of.

I could tell he moved around a good bit in the box, as impressions of his hands were noticeable on the bottom of the box.

His head remote sensor scraped up the inside of the box pretty well, so much so as to leave "cardboard box" dust on his head and shoulders (dandruff?). It wore a groove in the top of the box in shipping.

Sounds to me like UPS wrecked your bot. And as far as receiving a RTW RN1, So what..lol Just take it appart.

Statistics: Posted by Droid Works — Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:11 pm

First User Experience... Not having fun!!! RN-1

2007-09-17T10:48:25+01:00

I would like to see something like this...

Assembled by. John Smith on 10-10-2007

Build issues.
some small scratches to servo housing due to tool slippage on servo 3

Tests done.
Power up and battery - Pass
Serial connection to PC - Pass
Remcon - Pass
Zero of position - Done
Servo no 1 - Pass
Servo no 2 ......
......
Servo no 16 Pass
LED - Pass

Moves
move 1 - Pass
move 2 - Pass
move............
.........
move 20 - Pass

All tests passed. Battery disconected.

Packaged by Peter Smith 11-10-2007

Statistics: Posted by DirtyRoboto — Mon Sep 17, 2007 10:48 am

First User Experience... Not having fun!!! RN-1

2007-09-16T21:26:39+01:00

I am experiencing exactly the same problem with my RN1 and i have trouble to get support from Hitec. They wan't to try solve thing the software way, but as i can't connect the bot to my pc, there is no way to solve my problem by this way. I have asked for a replacement, but i have still have no answer ...
I hope that i had no luck with my RN1 and that things will be better soon.

Statistics: Posted by Voelker — Sun Sep 16, 2007 9:26 pm

First User Experience... Not having fun!!! RN-1

2007-09-16T17:46:04+01:00

First I agree, don't try to fix it, just send it back !

However I know you and the rest of us want to know what is going wrong.

What does the label on the CPU of the controller read (Version, date) ?

You are also right , this is similar to other posts here which had problems at epoch.

I am wondering if you tried to download a program to the C3024, when you were having the initial power problems ?

If Robobasic finds that your C3024 has version 2.3 firmware, it will update it to 2.5. Not a good idea if the power is bad.

The CPU has the watchdog enabled, so if the downloaded code is corrupt, then this may make the continued reset. We could fix, this, but no point, send it back.

I would suggest when you get your new RN and controller, you check the power and charging with the C3024 off the RN with nothing connected except the charger and battery. Disconnect the charger and connect the serial cable, power on. Connect through Robobasic, do a controller info. if it is 2.5 it will not do a firmware update. If it is 2.3 , the first time you download a program it will update the firmware in flash. This is all hidden, so just give it time,and don't interrupt power.

This is just my thoughts on what may have happened.

Don't be alarmed by all this. I have spent a lot of time with the Hitec software (inside and outside), and though it may be frustrating at times, I consider it to be of high quality. Also Hitec and the distributors are providing good support and getting better. They fix their problems. So I only offer this since we like to know WHY!

Statistics: Posted by i-Bot — Sun Sep 16, 2007 5:46 pm

First User Experience... Not having fun!!! RN-1

2007-09-16T16:22:49+01:00

I agree with DirtyRoboto. Stop working on it and return it immediately so no one can accuse you of doing something to it that voids the warranty. My RN had some kit parts missing and a bad charger. I managed to survive, waiting for replacements. Hitec was very helpful and prompt in resolving the situation.

humanoido

Statistics: Posted by Humanoido — Sun Sep 16, 2007 4:22 pm

First User Experience... Not having fun!!! RN-1

2007-09-16T11:13:53+01:00

If you are returning it then dont try to fix it anymore! Also write off this problem as a nothing as this will not be your final bot and you will worry about it for no reason.
Pack your up bot and wrap him up and forget this experience. Wait for your true bot to come.

With my bot I managed to damage one servo on assembly but apart from that I had no real problems and I have been quite rough with my controller board.

Statistics: Posted by DirtyRoboto — Sun Sep 16, 2007 11:13 am

First User Experience... Not having fun!!! RN-1

2007-09-16T06:32:09+01:00

Errors always happen in this world
and even appliances can be faulty
directly out of the box - and these
can have a lot fewer parts and very
little sophistication. A humanoid is
a quantum leap above with its
complexity and many things can go
wrong. I really don't know why this
one didn't work. It would be nice if
Hitec would put on some kind of
factory seal, to know if there was
any tampering with the product.
I agree, immediately return it for a
replacement. It should be within the
MBG money back guarantee period
and there's no need to mess with
trying to repair it yourself. Once you
do finally get it working, it will all
be worthwhile as this humanoid is
amazing and off the scale in what it
can do, and the potential for expansion
and programming is simply mind blowing!
We have only touched the surface with
our Robonovas and a lot more is soon
to come.

humanoido

Statistics: Posted by Humanoido — Sun Sep 16, 2007 6:32 am

First User Experience... Not having fun!!! RN-1

2007-09-16T01:44:53+01:00

At RoboSavvy we haven't stocked the RTW RN1 because it is basically a contradiction to what this hobby is all about. (Unless ofcourse someone plans to create a small army of robots and would rather pay someone to build them.)
It also may put a false sense of security into the buyer's mind that the RTW is as stable and reliable as a household appliance whereas the reality is that one constantly has to re-enforce the screws and add new sensors, software, LiPo boots and other "stuff" which keeps the hobby exciting.

Statistics: Posted by limor — Sun Sep 16, 2007 1:44 am

First User Experience... Not having fun!!! RN-1

2007-09-16T00:38:44+01:00

Paul, welcome to forums and your new passion. I must say I agree completely with i-bot. You should return your RN-1 and get the kit that you wanted. Robotics can be very frustrating at times but from reading your comments above I can see that you are used to concurring adversity. Tenacity is what makes a good programmer and a great roboticist. Robotics spans so many disciplines that in universities and industry the work is largely divided amongst different groups but the true roboticist must master them all. Be patient, study hard and above all communicate with others and the rewards will be well worth the efforts.

Cheers

Statistics: Posted by Bullit — Sun Sep 16, 2007 12:38 am

First User Experience... Not having fun!!! RN-1

2007-09-15T22:44:03+01:00

I would agree with i-bot.

If you don't put it together screw by screw I don't think it will give the same amount of love for the bot. Saying this as I've taken by bot apart so many times it might not matter.

Bren

Statistics: Posted by Robo1 — Sat Sep 15, 2007 10:44 pm