Can I get autonomous control via the microcontroller for a vexplorer? Also I need an idea for a science fair project using the VEXPLORER. Someone please help me. I would appreciate knowing some sucessful ideas. Thanks!
If you are referring to the reciever that comes with a VEXplorer, I’m sorry but no you cannot. The controller that comes with the VEXplorer is pretty much just a reciever that provides signal and power outs for the motors and two other add on devices (such as the Color Camera kit). It will not accept any sort of programming. For that you would need a VEX v.5 Microcontroller as seen here: http://www.vexrobotics.com/vex-robotics-microcontroller.shtml, as well as additional motor controller cables for the microcontroller to properly operate the VEXplorer motors.
For ideas with your science fair project - I am moving this thread to the community section, the perfect place to find ideas from fellow students as well as teachers and mentors.
So I can buy a VEX v.5 Microcontroller and have autonomous control for my VEXPLORER if I replace the standerd reciever for the VEX v.5 Microcontroller?
lukemills88,
It’s not quite that simple! As Sean stated, you’d need to add the “motor controller cables” or some other device for converting the pulse width modulated (PWM) signals from the microcontroller to the analog voltage signals that the VEXplorer motors require. (The VEX motor modules include that circuitry.) I spent a few minutes trying to find you a link to the “motor contoller cables” on the VEX site, but failed. You could, of course, just buy VEX motors and servos and connect them directly to the microcontroller.
Also, to program the autonomous mode, you’ll need a programming kit.
Lastly, I do not believe there’s a way to use the VEXplorer remote control with the VEX microcontroller. So, if you want remote control as well as autonomous, you’ll need a VEX transmitter and receiver.
If all this makes it sound like you’ll need to make a substantial investment, at least you’ll know that in advance. At the risk of displeasing our hosts, I point out that there’s a market in used and resold VEX equipment in such places as e-bay.
Good Luck,
Eric
I modified my Vexplorer to use the standard v0.5 VEX Controller with PWM adapter cables in order to connect three wire VEX motors and servos to two wire Vexplorer motors and it worked fine. Check out the modified Vexplorer shown in the VEX Gallery using this link:
https://vexforum.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=2281&catid=member&imageuser=392
tswift1,
I wasn’t trying to assert that the conversion couldn’t be done; I just wanted to point out that there’s a fair amount of work and equipment needed. It appears to me that one is essentially replacing the VEXplorer control system with a VEX control system and salvaging the VEXplorer motors by using them through PWM > analog converters.
I’m a bit confused by:
Did you wire the VEXplorer motors to “VEX motors and servos” or to the motor control outputs of the VEX microcontroller?
TIA,
Eric
Sorry for the confusion. I purchased the PWM adapter cables so that I could use the Vexplorer motors along with using standard toy DC motors such as the geared one shown in the photo.
I can now use either type of VEX motor (three wire RC servo) or two wire DC motor along with using the VEX sensors on the Vexplorer.
Did these answers help you any???
You can search Crag’s List and eBay for Vex Parts, I got an entire kit of the original Vex Kits from 3 years ago, basically Brand New… Or buy the Vex V.5 parts from VexLabs. Then add the Vexplorer parts to them…