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Using dual VESC for Robot Control

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Praveen
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Using dual VESC for Robot Control

Hi,

I have two VESC 4.2 boards and two skateboard motors. I have tested both the motors with an RC Controller (FSi6/FSi6S) and they are working well on PPM (Hall sensor mode), Forward & Reverse.

How do I implement this on a robot with RC control? When I spliced the receiver to both the VESC's, as expected it works by moving both forward and reverse. However, what I need is to use the wheels on a skid steer control so that when moved sideways, one of the motor moves while other slows or halts.

Can someone guide as to how this can be achieved? Should I have to use an intermediate board to control the direction and steering? If so, what to use; Arduino, Flight controllers, or any other suggestions?

Best Regards,

Praveen

skyline1970
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an intermediate board should be used, any controller could be used Arduino, pic, etc..

can a tank controller help?

Praveen
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Do you have any examples of the same? Tank controller as in what?

I have an omnibus controller used for flight control. I can use that to send signals from RC to board. However, the output of the flight controller is PWM and not sure if VESC takes PWM for both forward and reverse. Any idea?

skyline1970
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an omnibus controller used for flight control could be used, or like ArduPilot open source flight controller. rc control outputs usually ppm ,  it could be accepted by vesc. pwm is also ok, but a filter could be required before input to adc on vesc. both of them for forward and reverse should also accepted by vesc.

Praveen
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ok. Got it. If I have to use PWM with both front and reverse, can you confirm what settings I need to use in VESC? Under PPM Pulselength Mapping?

skyline1970
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for adc mode, in app. settings, ctrl type - duty cycle rev. center, at the mapping tab, duty cycle rev. center,

for ppm, n app. settings, ctrl type - duty, cycle.

Praveen
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For those who are curious, I attached a PixHawk in between, connected the FSESC's, programmed the Pixhawk and got it working. This is just a small part of the bigger project. I am looking to add an omnibus on Ardurover firmware due its miniature size. If it works, will take it further, else, I will stick with Pixhawk.

Thanks for all the help.

gjesusTec
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Hi there Praveen,
Have you managed to get it working by connecting the pixhawk?
Can you tell me how did you connect the pixhawk in between, wich terminals have you used? CAN? PPM?

Thank you.

Autocar
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You can take a look of racecarj.com. I am using Logitech F710 controller to control RC car and Focbox.