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I purchased a Robo Claw (12 I think) a couple months ago to be integrated into a project for a Servo Magazine Article. I finally got around to working on the project and am having problems with the Robo Claw. The documentation was easy to follow so I am wondering if the Claw itself is bad. It has a 2010 copyright notice on it but no version numbers etc. I purchased it on sale (don't even remember where now as I ordered many parts from many sources at that time).
I am using the RC mode. The software running on a Baby Orangutan controller drives normal servo motors fine. If the Claw is powered without any servo signal applied it appears to work, with the green light on showing it is in the RC mode. If control signals are applied (or applied before turning on the Claw, so it can calibrate) then the green light goes out and the red error light blinks .5 on and .5 off. I am using a 12 lead-acid battery that is fully charged (runs the 3 amp motors just fine normally without any reduction in battery voltage).
I have the jumper set properly to power the Claw's logic from the main motor battery.
Is it possible I have an old board that does not correspond to the current documentation for jumpers and switch settings. I have tried numerous settings, but feel the SW1 ON, all others OFF should work fine.
A couple of times when I first tried the board, the green light did stay ON but only if I turn the Claw ON before applying a control signal. The second status light did blink quickly as if it was getting the signal, but there was NO motor operation. Now the ERROR led comes on as soon as any signal is applied, no matter if the Claw or the signal source is turned on first.
The Motors NEVER move and have NEVER moved. Not even a little jerk or whine.
Any suggetions would be helpful.

If it has a green PCB it is the old model. If it has a red PCB look on the PCB for "Rev C". The old boards error codes were different but the switch settings are the same so your are correctly in RC mode. A 1 second blink interval(half on/half off) means its probably an old board. The new boards error codes are indicated by the blink count with a one second off pause after a blink sequence. Based on that, the half on/half off indicates a logic battery errror(either low or high voltage). As you say this shouldn't happen if you have the jumper set to main battery. I suspect this could be indicating a short circuit. My suspiscion is when the board tries to drive the motor after receiving the RC pulse it shorts, causing the battery voltage to drop and this error triggers before the over current can trigger. I've never seen this happen so...

I think the best solution will be for you to send in the board and we'll probably just replace it.

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Basic Micro - Robotic Technology Evolved

It is a green board. I get the same error even if no motors are connected to the board.
I agree, I should send in the board. Can you provide me the address to use and any authorization numbers I need to use.
Thanks for the prompt service.

You can get it in the contacts page as well:

BasicMicro Inc.
23811 Washington Ave Suite C110-283
Murrieta CA 92562

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Tech Support
Basic Micro - Robotic Technology Evolved