Smart Motor stopped working

[Tony_Sommers]

I have a Smart Motor that has been working with no issues. Went to turn on the robot and now the motor does not turn.
I plugged the motor in the Port 1 on the brain with noting else connected. Went to ***Settings ***then ***Device Info ***and the display reports “Port 01 Empty”.

I have tried a different brain, different cable, and plugged this Smart Motor in to other ports. What ever port the Smart Motor is plugged in always reports empty.

Am I missing something here, or did the Smart Motor just die?

Tony

[nenik]

It might have died. Motors are rather sensitive due to the “builtin EMI generator”. But they rarely die altogether, it’s more often a firmware corruption problem.
You could try a quick fix attempt following this protocol:

1. Connect a working motor to the port1 (of otherwise empty brain)
2. Start the firmware updater, so it sees the motor.
3. Silently swap in the broken motor.
4. Invoke “Update -> Reinstall current version -> Specific port -> Port 1”
   If this fails, contact VEX support.

I have restored few devices this way. On the other hand, I have had a motor that enumerated well, reported manual rotations, but didn’t turn on its own. That was a really dead motor.

[Tony_Sommers]

@nenik

It might have died. Motors are rather sensitive due to the “builtin EMI generator”. But they rarely die altogether, it’s more often a firmware corruption problem.
You could try a quick fix attempt following this protocol:

1. Connect a working motor to the port1 (of otherwise empty brain)
2. Start the firmware updater, so it sees the motor.
3. Silently swap in the broken motor.
4. Invoke “Update -> Reinstall current version -> Specific port -> Port 1”
   If this fails, contact VEX support.

I have restored few devices this way. On the other hand, I have had a motor that enumerated well, reported manual rotations, but didn’t turn on its own. That was a really dead motor.

Thank-you for the suggestion. It acted like it was going to work then posted a failed message on the firmware updater program. And the port shows empty after attempting the update.

[ipanavigator]

Aloha Tony,
When I come across the problems with motors that you described I usually have the kids test a few motors using the same wire. If it works, I have them swap the motor. If it doesn’t I have them switch the wire and then start the test all over again. I have a bunch of motors which the kids labeled as “Bad”. However, I never let the kids throw them away. I informed them that until I come up with a testing method which determines conclusively that the motors are bad I will not throw them out. (I actually use simpler words for them) It would be great if VEX IQ or one of us can share a fool proof testing method for motors. Until then, I’ll keep having kids swap them until they find what works.

I hope that helps.

-BAILEY