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PRODUCTS DOCUMENTATION	Teleo Motor Controller 2x2A User Guide Documentation for the Teleo Motor Controller 2x2A Module   TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Package Contents Operating Instructions Teleo Motor Controller 2x2A Module Teleo Motor Controller 2A Device Troubleshooting Technical Specifications

The Teleo 2x2A Motor Controller Module can be used to control one or two motors or other loads from a Teleo Network with a 2A continuous current draw and momentarily higher currents.

To use the Motor Controller 2x2A Module, you'll need other Teleo Components. See the Teleo System overview in the Teleo System section of the Teleo User Guide. For information about setting up a Teleo System see the Teleo Hardware Setup section of the same guide.

Teleo 2x2A Motor Controller Module

Teleo 2x2A Motor Controller Manual

Teleo Motor Controller 2x2A Module
Teleo Motor Controller 2A Device

Overview

The 2A Motor Controller module provides the ability to connect to large motors and other high-current loads and have them available for control by Max and other programming environments. There are two identical devices on the board.

Motor Controller Module

The Teleo Motor Controller 2x2A Module has several sections:

Motor Controller x 2: the actual motor controller is based around a Dual 2A H-Bridge - the L298. This is the chip that permits the power made available to the motor to be regulated and reversed. The Motor Controller can run the motor at various speeds, forwards and in reverse and can force it to brake.

Limit Switches x 4: inputs are provided for limit switches. These can be used to stop a mechanism travelling in a particular direction beyond the point where a limit switch is activated. The on-off states of the limit switches are always reported to the controlling program, and if PositionLimitsOn is set to true, the Motor Controller will actually stop the motor from turning once the appropriate switch is closed.

Position Inputs x 2: there is also an input for position. If a mechanism provides a means to present a voltage-based indication of its position, it can be reported back to the controlling progam. This is often accomplished with a linear or rotational potentiometer, although it can be anything at all that can provide a voltage.

Position, Limits & Motor Terminals

 

Power Supply

The power for the motors run by this module is provided by the Teleo Network.

Position Inputs

The board also provides a way to monitor the position of one or two connected mechanisms (or any other attributes at all) via the Position Inputs. On the board the position signal is marked POS. The Position Terminals can read any voltage between 0V (Gnd) and +5V. Rotational and Linear position, Temperature, Light, etc. can all be measured in this way. Do not try to connect anything that can supply a greater voltage than 5V. The 5V and Gnd connectors are present to assist with these circuits.

A potentiometer would be wired-up as follows:

Potentiometer Circuit

One way the potentiometer can be used is illustrated below. The Teleo Motor Controller is connected to a motor that is driving a belt held between the motor and another pulley. Attached to the belt is an object of some kind which moves backwards and forwards as the motor turns. Attached to the far pulley is a multi-turn potentiometer which is made to turn as the motor and hence the belt does. The potentiometer is wired as above, so that at it turns, its wiper reports a voltage between 0V and 5V proportional to its angular position. This voltage is read at the A0 input pin and reported to the controlling program.

Potentiometer-Based Position Sensing

 

Limit Switch Inputs

The Limit Switch Inputs provide a very straight-forward solution to the problem of how to stop a motor when the mechanism connected to it has run out of room.

Connect one of a push button's wires to the Limit A (LIM A) or Limit B (LIM B) connector, then connect the other side of the push button to ground (GND). The states of the limit switches are checked and reported to the host control software. If additionally PositionLimitsOn is set to true, one switch is assigned to the forward direction and one to the backward motion. If this switch is ever activated when the motor is running in that direction, the motor will be stopped and will only be permitted to continue in the opposite direction or if the switch is released.

To connect the switch correctly, wire it up between the connector and the adjacent ground circuit.

Limit Switch Circuit

Here is the same belt-driven mechanism except limit switches have been placed at the ends of the object's travel range. Now when the object forces the limit switches to close, the controlling software can stop or reverse the motor. If PositionLimitsOn is set, the MotorController will do this automatically.

Limit switch-based Mechanism

The photograph below shows a real-world example of how a potentiometer and limit switches can be used to provide position feedback to the motor controller.

Potentiometer-Based Position Sensing

 

 

Programming - Max

The Teleo Motor Component is one of the more complex components in the Teleo family. The motor's speed can be controlled by sending values to the speed port. The current being drawn by the motor in milliamps is reported on the Current output. The position output reports the position inferred from the voltage on the POS connectors on the board.

See the t.mc2 documentation page for more details.

t.mc2

 

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS:

• after attaching cables and applying power, the green LED's do not blink

First Step:
See if your problem is described in the list above. If so, click on the link to see if the suggestion solves your problem.

Second Step:
Check the known problems section of the MakingThings website.

Third Step:
Post the problem to the MakingThings discussion list. This list is checked regularly by the MakingThings staff. In addition, if another Teleo user has experienced, and solved, this problem, you will have the benefit of their experience.

Fourth Step:
Email support@makingthings.com. We endeavor to reply to all problems within one day.

Quick Note: how to use Max and Teleo effectively:

• always exit Max before unplugging the USB cable
• always exit Max before remove power from the Intro Module (these two steps avoid the USB driver from hanging)
• if any object requires a specific address, then all objects should i.e. the optional address can be left off only when there is only one of each type of module i.e. the module type and device number completely identify every device on the network. as soon as there is more than one type of any module, then each and every object must specify both the device and address.
  

Affected Modules: all

Check:

• Is the power supply plugged in to a live wall outlet? Check the wall outlet with a lamp or some other known good appliance.

• Is the power supply connected properly to the Teleo Power Module? The wire with the red sleeve must be connected to the positive terminal, the one marked "+". (If it has been connected the wrong way, no damage has been done. Loosen the terminal screws, remove the wires, and connect them the correct way.)

• Is the TeleoNetwork cable plugged in properly to all three modules? The connectors are keyed to prevent incorrect insertion, but particularly motivated people can force them in the wrong way. This is very bad since it puts the power on the board the wrong way.
  
  
• Is the TeleoNetwork cable or the wire from the power supply damaged?
  
  
• If all this fails, contact support@makingthings.com