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Step 6Troubleshooting
If you've made it this far and your robot is walking and avoiding obstacles then you may skip right over this step. However if it isn't quite working or is not working at all hopefully you'll be able to find the solution to your problem here.
(If you have a problem not addressed mention it in the comments and I'll try to help (or if you have a problem that's addressed here and have a better way to deal with it please also comment))
(I'm afraid I haven't figured out how to do tables on Instructables so this section will be formated)
Problem
Cause 1
Solution 1
Cause 2
Solution 2
Troubleshooting list:
Left legs walk backwards when they should be walking forward.
The left motor is connected backwards.
Reverse the wires from the left motor connected to connection point 'G' and connection point 'H' (ie. G<-->H & H<-->G).
Right legs walk backwards when they should be walking forward.'
The right motor is connected backwards'.'
Reverse the wires from the right motor connected to connection point 'H' and connection point 'J' (ie. H<-->J & J<-->H).
When whisker is pressed relevant leg continues walking forward.
The Reverse Battery is wired backwards.
Switch the wires from the Reverse Battery holder connected to connection point 'A' and connection point 'I' (ie. A<-->I & I<-->A).
The elastic band is too tight and not letting the switch arm swing.
Use a larger or less powerful elastic band.
The bolt holding the switch arm in place is too tight.
Loosen the bolt holding the switch arm.
In the off state when one whisker is pressed the legs begin walking.
This is unfortunately a flaw in the wiring design.
If you wish to fix this add a switch on one or both of the battery boxes or remove the batteries when not in use.
After hitting an obstacle one side continues walking in reverse after the obstacle has been cleared.
The Elastic band is not powerful enough to return the switch arm to its forward position.
Use a stronger elastic band
The bolt holding the switch arm in place is too tight.
Loosen the bolt holding the switch arm.
Batteries are in but the robot does not move.
Washer is not contacting the powered bolt.
Because the 5mm washer has a hole bigger than the 3mm bolt we use, you must center it and then tighten the screw to hold it in place. If it gets pushed off center the acrylic switch arm may be contacting the bolt in its place. To fix this loosen the whisker screw and re-center the 5mm washer.
Motors are being powered by both battery packs simultaneously resulting in a net zero voltage.
The washers on the switch arm are too big, look for washers that seem a little smaller or bend the contact bolts outwards a little.
There is too much friction in the arm links causing the motor to stall.
Loosen some of of the tighter bolts holding your legs and push arms in place.
(If you have a problem not addressed mention it in the comments and I'll try to help (or if you have a problem that's addressed here and have a better way to deal with it please also comment))
(I'm afraid I haven't figured out how to do tables on Instructables so this section will be formated)
Problem
Cause 1
Solution 1
Cause 2
Solution 2
Troubleshooting list:
Left legs walk backwards when they should be walking forward.
The left motor is connected backwards.
Reverse the wires from the left motor connected to connection point 'G' and connection point 'H' (ie. G<-->H & H<-->G).
Right legs walk backwards when they should be walking forward.'
The right motor is connected backwards'.'
Reverse the wires from the right motor connected to connection point 'H' and connection point 'J' (ie. H<-->J & J<-->H).
When whisker is pressed relevant leg continues walking forward.
The Reverse Battery is wired backwards.
Switch the wires from the Reverse Battery holder connected to connection point 'A' and connection point 'I' (ie. A<-->I & I<-->A).
The elastic band is too tight and not letting the switch arm swing.
Use a larger or less powerful elastic band.
The bolt holding the switch arm in place is too tight.
Loosen the bolt holding the switch arm.
In the off state when one whisker is pressed the legs begin walking.
This is unfortunately a flaw in the wiring design.
If you wish to fix this add a switch on one or both of the battery boxes or remove the batteries when not in use.
After hitting an obstacle one side continues walking in reverse after the obstacle has been cleared.
The Elastic band is not powerful enough to return the switch arm to its forward position.
Use a stronger elastic band
The bolt holding the switch arm in place is too tight.
Loosen the bolt holding the switch arm.
Batteries are in but the robot does not move.
Washer is not contacting the powered bolt.
Because the 5mm washer has a hole bigger than the 3mm bolt we use, you must center it and then tighten the screw to hold it in place. If it gets pushed off center the acrylic switch arm may be contacting the bolt in its place. To fix this loosen the whisker screw and re-center the 5mm washer.
Motors are being powered by both battery packs simultaneously resulting in a net zero voltage.
The washers on the switch arm are too big, look for washers that seem a little smaller or bend the contact bolts outwards a little.
There is too much friction in the arm links causing the motor to stall.
Loosen some of of the tighter bolts holding your legs and push arms in place.
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