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SMC3 Arduino 3DOF Motor Driver with SoftStart

Discussion in 'SimTools compatible interfaces' started by BlazinH, Jan 4, 2017.

  1. BlazinH

    BlazinH Well-Known Member

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    * UPDATE to 1.7a: Fixed soft start code error
    • Like Like x 1
  2. MarcoMade

    MarcoMade Active Member

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    ok now it works, even if during the ascent of the 2 dof still takes a shot, I have to understand what it is ..
    good job!
  3. MarcoMade

    MarcoMade Active Member

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    having patience you can also edit the version which is then displayed in smc util by editing this line replacing 70 in 170.
    to find the string quickly, look for the name version
    regards

    SendValue('v',70,ComPort); // Software Version - divide by 100 to get version - ie 101= ver1.01
  4. Pino Pistolidas

    Pino Pistolidas New Member Gold Contributor

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    @BlazinH I hope you can help me out. I'm using your sketch with an Arduino Uno (with pin 8 shorted) together with a Sabertooth 2x30, so MODE3, and all works perfect. But I don't think the softstart is working for me. I tried different SSLOOP values from 5 to 4000 but when I start up my chair it jumps into place.
    I first power on the powersupply to the Sabertooth and then the power to the Arduino Uno. (also tried the other way arround). I dont think the new version 1.7 will help in this matter because it doesn't have MODE3, right?
    Is there something more I could try?
  5. BlazinH

    BlazinH Well-Known Member

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    • Like Like x 2
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2020
  6. Pino Pistolidas

    Pino Pistolidas New Member Gold Contributor

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    This one works perfect, nice slow start :thumbs, thanks.
  7. iLLuac4

    iLLuac4 Active Member

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  8. BlazinH

    BlazinH Well-Known Member

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  9. iLLuac4

    iLLuac4 Active Member

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    Hi. No I really like the soft start and I am using it.
  10. iLLuac4

    iLLuac4 Active Member

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    Hi.
    Hi. When do you expect to have time to do a fix? TNX
  11. motiondynamics

    motiondynamics Member Gold Contributor

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    Hello to all of you dear friends, I have a question:
    and are there two versions of "Softstart"?
    A while ago I had downloaded version V1.7
    Now I have seen that version V1.7a exists

    What is the difference between the two versions?
  12. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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  13. motiondynamics

    motiondynamics Member Gold Contributor

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    Hi Noorbeast, yes I have already read the two pages of this thread very carefully, but I did not understand the changes that have been made.
    I understand that someone has complained about the abnormal functioning of the "Softstart" (even without using Simtools).
    I also have the same problem: as soon as I insert the USB cable, the motors try to move to the center but with impulses, until they stabilize after a few seconds.
    In the SSloop line I put this:

    const int SSloop = 100;

    I would like to understand two things
    1) are there really the two versions V1.7 and V1.7a?
    2) which lines of code were changed between the two versions?

    Thank you
  14. motiondynamics

    motiondynamics Member Gold Contributor

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    Hi everyone, I'm using the "Soft Start" code but I have a problem: I practically set the value "const int SSloop = 30" and every time I insert the USB cable it starts to move towards the center but as soon as it arrives towards the center it starts to make 5 violent shots up and down and then stabilizes.
    How can I solve the problem?
  15. motiondynamics

    motiondynamics Member Gold Contributor

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    Hi all, I need some information: I'm trying to use SMC3 "Softstart V1.7a", but I have a small problem.
    I start SMC3Utils, set the values, save in M2 and M3 and close SMC3Utils. But as soon as I start SMC3Utils again, the PWMmax value changes.
    Let me explain better: I set SSLOOP to 500 to have a very slow startup, I program Arduino, start SMC3Utils, set PWMmax to 150, close SMC3Utils, start SMC3Utils again and I see the PWMmax value which has become 12.
    Is it a defect?
    How can I solve this small but annoying problem?
  16. iLLuac4

    iLLuac4 Active Member

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    I have the same problem. I always restore the settings from the file to get the same results to start tweaking.
  17. motiondynamics

    motiondynamics Member Gold Contributor

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    Hi everyone, I have a problem.
    I am using SMC3 "Softstart V1.7a" and to test my 3DOF simulator (4 cylinders), I am using rFactor which has AI (auto driving (so I can see and test everything without driving).
    A strange thing happens: after about 3 minutes one of the motors stops working, as if it no longer receives commands from the BLDC driver.
    So I run this test: close rFactor, open "Game Engine", Output testing, Turn ON, (a) Axis Output, move slider "Axis4a" but the engine doesn't work. I open SMC3Utils, Sine, and the engine runs.

    What's the problem?
    How can I solve the problem?
  18. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    It could be a number of things, but my first guess would be possible USB disconnects: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/usb-disconnects-and-port-mapping.396/
  19. motiondynamics

    motiondynamics Member Gold Contributor

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    Hi noorbeast,
    The two USB cables are both connected to the V2.0 ports
    I just downloaded "USB Tree Viewer", I attached the result.
    I disabled selective suspend
    These are the COM port settings.
    Question: Is 500000 BitsPerSec correct?
    In "Manage Devices", COM ports, which speed should be set?
    I set 9600, is that correct?

    Attached Files:

    • usb.jpg
      usb.jpg
      File size:
      290.9 KB
      Views:
      76
    • usb2.jpg
      usb2.jpg
      File size:
      152.5 KB
      Views:
      78
    • COM.jpg
      COM.jpg
      File size:
      210.2 KB
      Views:
      79
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2023
  20. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    I would leave the com port default for now.

    Just change one thing at a time, as you first have to find the cause before you can fix it and changing too many things at once will make that hard.