24v Padawan system

Just a quick video to show how our Padawan360 boards can work at any voltage between 12 and 24v without requiring any special changes.
If you find my videos useful and wish to make a small "buy me a coffee" donation, please paypal [e-mail] to show your appreciation :)

[@billverine765]

Steve I ran into a strange issue with the USB receivers and finally narrowed it down to voltage. I am running a 24V system, but I use a 24V to 5V buck converter that feeds a small fuse block to feed all my 5V. What I have found is that you should really run your ADK boards from 7-12V and although it will work on 5V, you don't get a true 5V to the usb. I have one offbrand receiver that works, but an actual Microsoft one will not. Just wanted to give you a heads up in case you run across anyone else having issues with the receivers not lighting up. It appears that certain receivers will not work at all unless it is a true 5V minimum. I will probably change over to powering the ADK from the Sabertooth 5V like you do as my next test. I suspect that between the buck converter and fuse block I am not getting 5V to the ADK, or my ADK is not providing a true 5V to it's USB plug. Tolerance stack up strikes again.....

[@ImperialLightandMagic]

bear in mind that if you power the arduino via the barrel plug, that the arduino itself is then having to act as a buck to supply the 5v to the receiver and they are really not designed to provide much current at all. By using the 5v out from the sabertooth (which supports up to one amp) you are powering the arduino AND the receiver from the same stable power source, the arduino isn't having to do any voltage conversion on board.

[@rprealitycosplay]

Hi Steve...I love these videos...thank you so much. Please...help me understand. How can you use a 24 volt battery with parts which require less that 24 volts without a buck converter. I love how straight forward and simple this design is. I am just trying to understand how you get away without stepping down voltage. I appreciate any help you can lend me.

[@ImperialLightandMagic]

Not sure which "parts" you are referring to. In my build videos, the amplifier is rated to 24v so no issues there. The speed controllers are both fine, and the arduino and sparkfun mp3 take 5v out of the two speed controller 5v outputs, so they are fine too. That's all the parts on my board. If you wish to add extras like servo controllers etc, then you may need to add a 5v buck converter, but that's not what these basic boards have. Hope this answers your question.

[@rprealitycosplay]

Thank you Steve...yes....that is very helpful. I see now (looking at the video more closely) that your 24 volt battery is not plugged into the MP3, rather the Syren 10 is powering that component.
Another question.....how to you address, with this set up, any worries about back EMF when the batteries are unplugged?@@ImperialLightandMagic

[@ImperialLightandMagic]

@@rprealitycosplayI unplug my foot motors when pushing the droid around, just in case. (I use XT90 connectors between my sabertooth 2x32 and the wires that go to the feet)

[@rprealitycosplay]

Thank you! Also….what 24 or 12 v batteries do you recommend for your setup?

[@GunnerAl9]

So the miestro board is only for adding additional sounds? You're running 24v for the system, but the limit on the Sparkfun is 12v, how are you ramping down to the 12v? I couldn't follow the wiring.

[@ImperialLightandMagic]

No, the maestro is a servo controller board. The sparkfun is being powered by the 5v headers via the 5v out of the syren 10, in the same way that the mega is powered by the sabertooth 5v out. It just makes life so much easier. The only additional voltage regulator in this build is to the maestro which has a small ubec behind the board. Hope that helps

[@nicksadventures4362]

I have a board similar to this that I have put together but recently it has been giving me issues. Is there anyway you’d be able to help me with it please?

[@ImperialLightandMagic]

What sort of issues are you having, how is your board put together? I could probably assist, if you don't mind "buying me a coffee" :)

[@josephcamden5964]

Where and how do i grt the sounds please

[@ImperialLightandMagic]

I host a set of audio files on my github page imperiallandm

[@GfromHull]

How do I purchase this?

[@ImperialLightandMagic]

ping me an email [e-mail] but I would always encourage you to build your own :)