This post is relevant to the SERIAL version of the SSC-32 ONLY. This post is ARCHIVED, meaning links may or may not work, and it may not scale well on a mobile device as it was written a while ago.
Question:
Do I have to use a 9 Volt battery with my Lynx Arm? In the directions it says you don’t have to!
Answer:
I STRONGLY suggest against trying to get away without using it. If the arm moves very rapidly, it draws a lot of current, causing a brown out condition which in turn will cause the SSC-32 to lose all of its positions. This could also lead to damage of the servos as it jerks around rather quickly.
That being said, if you still want to, just replace the jumper on the header between the two ports where the power wires go into theboard. It comes with this jumper in place from the factory. Just don’t do it! Always use a 9V battery!
See the manual here for more info: www.lynxmotion.com/images/html/build136.htm#aglance. In the picture below it has the yellow arrow pointing to it.
It’s labelled as number 5 in the image below.
If you are the DE teacher, or you know a little about electronics, you could go to AllElectronics or RJR and buy a 9V DC Wall wart (transformer) and a 9V battery clip, solder them together, and you’ll never buy another battery! Just remember to solder the terminal on backwards. If you do not know why, do not attempt this! If you mess this up, you will damage your SSC-32!
The transformer below can be bought HERE, and the plug HERE. They are from Allelectronics, and they take school purchase orders, are fast, and always have stuff in stock. Oh. They’re cheap too. Totals $10.25!
Just cut the end off the transformer, and strip the two wires. See picture below. plug it in and determine which wire is positive, and which is negative with a Multi-meter. When the number on your meter reads a positive number, the end that is hooked up to the red lead on your meter is positive. Mark this with a piece of tape or something.
Next, solder the clip in place. The BLACK wire goes to the POSITVE wire you labelled on the transformer. Remember: this is the battery terminal, NOT the battery! That is why it is backwards! Cover with electrical tape, or shrink tube, and test with a voltmeter for polarity.
Viola! You’ll never buy another battery!
Remember: do not attempt if you are not electrically inclined! If you hook up the terminal backwards, you will damage your electronics, and that would cost alot more than a few 9V batteries!
