Problems compiling Robot code in ArduinoIDE

[Hans]

Hello to everyone,

I am struggling to upload the Vorpal Robot code to the Arduino Nano. I sourced all the parts by myself, printed them, and connected everything, but now I can't flash the Robot code with the Arduino IDE. 

My steps so far:

-downloading Vorpal-Hexapod-Robot.ino via DropBox

-installing all the requierd libraries (Adafruit Servo PWM, Pixy and SDFat)

-opening the code in the arduino ide

-setting the board to "arduino Nano" and selecting the port

-trying ATmega328P and the old version

-including the libraries

Problem:

After pressing the upload button, I'm getting the following error message: "Compilation error: Text section exceeds available space in board" and "The sketch uses 30800 Bytes (100%), Maximum is 30720 Byte"

I really don't know which mistake I made because the code probably should fit the Arduino Nano. I am also at the very beginning of building Arduino projects, so maybe it is something really simple.

Thank you for your help. I am looking forward to having my own walking Vorpal very soon.

[vorpalrobotics]

Hello,

On my setup the code compiles to 29,592 bytes which just fits.

You might have this problem if you are using the latest libraries for SDfat and Adafruit servo driver. Install the versions in the https://tinyurl.com/VORPALFILES folder. In particular, the version of SDfat I am using is one that I hand-trimmed by removing a ton of features the robot doesn't use. So if you're using the latest SDfat that most likely is the issue.

Let me know whether you are using the ones from that folder. You may have accidentally hit the "There are newer libraries, upgrade" button that appears when the IDE opens, and that would have overwritten the libraries with newer, probably larger, versions.

Also let me know what version number of the IDE you are using (help menu, About), it might be some new release makes code that's a bit fatter. In that case I would need to go through the code and trim some things. The version I am using is 2.3.2 which is pretty recent.

-Steve P.

[Hans]

Hey Hey,

first of all, I am sorry for the late answer.

I used the Arduino IDE v. 2.2.1. My problem was solved using only the exact libraries from your posted link. I was able to flash the code onto the Arduino.

Sadly now, I ran into other issues. Is it possible to use Vorpal without the  HC05 Bluetooth Module? For now I don't have this part and wanted to test the robot without it. When turning it on I hear one beep, but then nothing else happens. The Power LED on the Servo Controller is on, but when moving the potentiometer to the test position nothing happens. I have already tested the servos and the potentiometer, they are working. Maybe it is because of the missing HC05 Bluetooth Module and the pins on the Arduino nano? Without the full wiring schematics, I don't know how to "jump" the module.

Thanks for your support so far!

Greetings from Germany

[vorpalrobotics]

Hello,

The hexapod should work just fine with no hc05 installed.

Normally when booting you should hear more than one beep. There should be a low pitched beep, then a high pitched beep, then a short time later two fast chirps. If you are only hearing one beep, that usually means the servo driver is not responding to initialization commands from the nano. 

There are three common problems that could cause this:

1. The servo driver is not getting power. The servo driver needs +5v and ground applied to an unused set of servo pins, I usually use the pins marked 15. Use a voltmeter to make sure the lines you have connected there are showing +5V.

2. Also, you could be missing the jumper between VCC and V+ on the servo driver. Our kits have a small jumper between them. You can also just use a short dupont connector to tie them together.

3. A single beep could also happen because the wires going from the servo driver to the nano are not connected properly. Check to make sure the two wires coming off the short side of the driver are connected to the correct nano pins.

I hope this helps!

-Steve P.