My team set up or pneumatic system properly and coded it properly. It worked at first, but later the air (instead of going to the double action piston) leaked out of the “R” valve in the solenoids. What is the point of the “R” valve, and what can we do to fix this?
Also, we are attempting to use a code selector with the LCD but the only thing it displays is:
but 0 0 0
but 0 0 0
We weren’t sure what the problem was so we just copy and pasted the code from Daniel on this thread https://vexforum.com/t/lcd-code-chooser/38657/1 but it didn’t do anything different then what our other code did.
I do not have any experience with pneumatics, so I can’t help you there. Sorry. However, for the LCD screen, do you have it plugged into the correct port? It should be UART2 and should be specified in Motors and Sensors Setup.
The LCD issue is usually that you have the TX and RX round the wrong way. Go ahead and swap round the 3-pin ends of the cables. Also ensure that you have the 4-ping serial connector in UART 2. A good test code is one of the codes provided in the Sample Programs by RobotC.
In terms of fixing pneumatic leaks, make sure connections are tight, use plumbing tape to secure against connector leakage and replace any faulty components (and not when your arm can’t lift itself at a competition).
I just talked with the person who does our pneumatics, he said the valve is leaking so is there a way to tighten or fix this?
Check the paragraph about “leaking at the solenoid” in the attached document. This is a problem unique to double-acting solenoids. It’s not common that solenoids fail, but it can happen, especially if you’re being sloppy with teflon tape (which shouldn’t be used on the fitting with gaskets anyway) and a bit got stuck in the spool of the solenoid, keeping it from shifting properly.
pneumatics information.pdf (313 KB)
Firstly, you should know that air does come out of the solenoid from the outside holes of a double acting solenoid when it switches, this releases air from the other side of the piston but it shouldn’t leak air all the time. Also please check that you have connected your tubeing into the correct fittings on the solenoids and post a picture of your setup so we can help troubleshoot.
@DRow for the spam two messages up.
Check the foot on the solenoid. The screws that go into the foot also secure the bottom section which has a gasket. If the foot becomes loose it will leak error at the bottom seam.