AX-12 power

[Pev]

Pev, thanks for the info on the fuse. I was meaning to ask about it or try to figure it you myself. If the fuse is rated 5A, and it sits between battery and everything else, I have 2 questions:

1) I guess the current in the bus can be higher then, 'cause of the capasitors?
2) So is there no fuse protecting the system, when you run the bioloid with the charger?

Well I am guessing the same as you for number 1.

As for number 2, if you remove the fuse the CM-5 and AX-12s will still run when the power pack (charger) is plugged in but everything dies as soon as you unplug it - so no power from the battery.

Pev

[Juha]

I do not believe this is the case. The AX-12s have a voltage regulator in them to run the electronics, but the motor speed/torque is not adjusted.

If you look at the specifications chart on page 3 of the AX-12 manual, it clearly states different values for max holding torque and rotation speed between 7 and 10 volts.

Jon, I should have been more exact... naturally, the maximum values are affected by the voltage they get. What I ment, was that for example if you ask ax12 to turn at certain speed, it turn at same speed if you use have 7V or 10V (within possible max speeds the voltage allows).

BTW, about the original question, ax12 registry values for min and max voltages (registrys 12 and 13) seem to be 6V and 19V. So this also indicates, that voltages >10V should be ok.

With respect to not letting the battery get below 9 volts: ....

Yeah, I guess there are number of ways for doing this, I'll still have to think which one would work best for me.