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Pan/Tilt works with PixyMon, not Arduino

Pixy Software
#1

Hello,

I have been running into an issue with my Pixy CMUcam5 pan/tilt component. I have successfully attempted to use the pan/tilt demo through PixyMon, but when I connect the Pixy to my Arduino, the servos seem to lock up. They constantly “buzz” to one direction and I am afraid of damaging the servos. When I disconnect the motors and run Hello_World, the Pixy successfully outputs the necessary values for the color that was previously downloaded.

Things to note:

  • Using cable that was included with the CMUcam5.
  • Power source Pixy receives is only from Arduino (removed direct connect of Pixy to computer).
  • Operating system is Windows 8.
  • Both Pixy and Arduino updated.

Cheers,
Joe

Edit: I removed both motors and connected a third motor from an Arduino Starter Kit. The motor was sounding as if it was buzzing, but once I placed the color in front the motor began running normal. When I attempted to repeat this process, but with both of the pan/tilt motors, I lost communication with my COM even though I did not change anything else.

#2

Hi Joseph, powering Pixy and the pan/tilt servos from the Arduino side isn’t going to get enough power to the servos. Check out the notes here:

http://cmucam.org/projects/cmucam5/wiki/My_pantilt_is_acting_sort_of_crazy

thanks!

#3

Rich,

Thank you very much, works like a charm now!

Cheers,
Joe