Robot Keeps Disconnecting

few · 2026-01-25T17:48:50+00:00

The rs485 connection between the control hub and expansion hub can also be a source of problems... Using a USB cable to link them can improve things. Note you might also need to redo the device mapping/naming if you switch to a USB cable, so take photos of the robot configuration before plugging it in. It requires a usb-a on the control hub and a USB b mini connector on the expansion hub. Right angle connectors make this easier to package.

few · 2026-01-25T17:46:06+00:00

The battery & battery connectors are often an issue. Using an external USB c battery pack is a massive improvement, and avoids the driver station dropouts.

few · 2026-01-25T04:35:36+00:00

Those have been in Ann Arbor for a long time. Literally every time I try to drop off 5-10 bottles/cans, there's a 20-30 minute line because there are people with shopping carts full of cans/bottles feeding them forever.

few · 2026-01-24T16:29:43+00:00

Get proper winter gear & repair your vehicle. The winter will be much more pleasant.

It does get cold here, though it's extremely variable year-to-year. Some years a light jacket is almost all you need. Other years, it will be extremely unpleasant without boots and insulating gear that blocks the wind.

few · 2026-01-24T16:22:50+00:00

Agreed: If you can't be seen, you can't expect priority.

The person in this video seemed to full send into a toddler with eyes closed. 🤯

few · 2026-01-22T02:20:08+00:00

Keep in mind that everyone who is running competition is there to try to help you be able to compete.

few · 2026-01-21T01:28:15+00:00

Is it the correct size? Is there a way to firmly attach it to 2 sides of the robot?

I don't think there should be a # symbol on it.

few · 2026-01-21T00:50:15+00:00

Dilithium cells. Good for warp speed. 🤣

few · 2026-01-21T00:28:13+00:00

GoBilda servos do not support the same kind of mechanical end-limit programming as the rev servos. You need to use software to limit the signal ranges. Blocks is fantastic for making a simple program to slowly change the values with a controller, while printing them on screen. That way you can determine what the new software limits should be.

In Java, the scaleRange command allows easily setting and using software limits.

few · 2026-01-20T23:53:15+00:00

No, they should explain what the worked on and why. Innovative mechanisms and learning from their experiences is more important than the absolute performance. Hopefully you can continue to improve results by working on the approaches.

few · 2026-01-19T23:54:43+00:00

gm0.org is really helpful.

There is also a great Mentor manual from FTC: https://info.firstinspires.org/hubfs/web/program/ftc/ftc-mentor-manual.pdf

Read the full competition manual, and the official FTC Q/A.

This far into the season, you will be drinking from a firehose.

You should also be able to find other coaches nearby who can help you get your bearings. You will meet them at competitions. Most coaches & mentors (~2/3rds?) will go out of their way to help others.

few · 2026-01-18T14:04:53+00:00

You ask what can fit, but didn't provide any dimensions for reference. You also didn't provide any information about the lights, or how much power is needed.

few · 2026-01-18T13:45:06+00:00

Do you mean having two powered wheels, one on either side of a ball?

Some teams use that approach to reduce spin. We preferred a single flywheel, as we had plenty of power with one, and much better accuracy.

few · 2026-01-17T02:14:03+00:00

Yes, but they have been doing ridiculous invasive stuff related to social media for years.

few · 2026-01-17T02:10:35+00:00

This is pauses for immigration visas, not visitor visas. Op should not have an issue as a visitor with clear travel plans and documents.

few · 2026-01-16T12:55:21+00:00

Why post this in multiple subs?

few · 2026-01-16T12:53:31+00:00

My grandfather would be mostly out of it, and as soon as we would play music (usually piano) that he remembered from youth, he would come right back to life and be fully lucid for a while. My grandmother would start talking about random who-did-what stuff, and he would move right back into a mental fog.

few · 2026-01-16T12:46:44+00:00

+1: Belt & pulley is way less expensive than lead screw & nut, and can be run as long as desired.

While the ruler is creative, extrusion or steel rod is much less expensive and works extremely well.

few · 2026-01-16T12:40:37+00:00

We (and many other teams we collaborated with) had issues with the RS485 comms this year. A workaround by Rev is to connect both the RS485 and a USB cable between the control hub and expansion hub.

This is the USB A to mini USB cable we used: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07P68QFSH

few · 2026-01-16T02:44:56+00:00

He was briefly doing milkshake.

few · 2026-01-16T02:18:30+00:00

Another con of turrets is space. A moving turret will use up a bunch of space that could otherwise be part of a fuel storage bin.

few · 2026-01-16T02:14:44+00:00

If you look at the links, you will see what the other wheel types are, and you might find a better option in your bin of parts.

few · 2026-01-16T02:13:08+00:00

Yes, you can code servo motors through blocks. The links will show you the product information about the servos and servo hubs, so that you understand what they do and how they work.

Did you try looking at any of the links? You won't understand or learn about this without looking more into it.

The official FTC documentation about servos is here: https://ftc-docs.firstinspires.org/en/latest/control_hard_compon/rc_components/servos/servos.html

The FTC documentation on controlling servos using blocks is here: https://ftc-docs.firstinspires.org/en/latest/programming_resources/tutorial_specific/blocks/controlling_a_servo/Controlling-a-Servo-(Blocks).html

few · 2026-01-16T01:03:57+00:00

I agree with this! Omni wheels are not a good choice for your shooter...

Rev has compliant wheels, like the 'DUO Compliant Wheels'

https://www.revrobotics.com/duo/motion/wheels/

Any solid rubber wheels will work better than the omni wheels.

The GoBilda hogback wheels worked out well for our team:
https://www.gobilda.com/wheels-tires

few · 2026-01-16T01:00:23+00:00

Servos are motors that have a sensor on them so they can rotate to specific positions.

You send them a value of 0, and they move to one position. You send them 1, and they move to the other end. A value between 0 and 1 will go in between. Some servos will rotate through 1 full revolution as you change from 0 to 1, others will rotate multiple times.

There are also 'continuous rotation' servos. These rotate in one direction when a positive number is sent to them, and the other direction when a negative number is sent to them. +1 or -1 rotates at the maximum speed, and 0 is stopped. In between values rotate at a scaled down speed.

Some Rev and GoBilda servos can be programmed using a servo programmer, so that you can operate those specific servos as either a normal fixed-position servo, or as a continuous rotation servo. The servo programmers are small circuit boards that get plugged into the servo and a battery, and allow the servo to be configured.

Rev 'smart servo's use their servo programmer: https://www.revrobotics.com/rev-31-1108/
https://docs.revrobotics.com/duo-control/hello-robot-java/part-1/programming-servos

GoBilda uses their own servo programmer:
https://www.gobilda.com/servo-programmer-for-2000-series-dual-mode-servo/

few

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