RE: LoadCape and Trying/Seth

Linux - Win IoT
1

Hello,

I purchased a LoadCape from Mouser.com. I thought, ooh la la, another Cape to try out and make things transpire.

…

Onto the betterment of Cape works…exactly how does this Cape, the LoadCape, work? Do you have any schematics on this Cape?

I was just wondering.

…

Seth

P.S. I see there is a VIN and GND. This is good. I have some screw terminals for a battery supply. Now, these current sinks have fooled me so far. I keep getting stuck in high amounts of math w/out theory. Do you have any recommendations on what to research for this specific Cape, i.e the LoadCape?

2

has the schematics.

3

The files on GITHUB appear to be Eagle format so you’ll need a copy of this to load and price them.

4

Hello,

Thank you for the replies. I do not have Eagle handy. I am stuck for now.

Seth

P.S. I appreciate the quick replies. If there is another route to take to get these files, please let me know.

5

The load pins simply connect one of the pins to ground. Say you have a giant LED that you want to control. You would connect the LED to whatever power source you need and then the second connection goes to ground through the load cape.

6

Hello,

So, say Sink 1 on my LoadCape is GND? Now, I must attach power via some outer power source, i.e. not from the LoadCape? As you can tell. I am a bit confused on this event. Do I use the VIN as the power input source and skip the GND on the Cape b/c Sink 1 is now my GND?

Seth

7

You can use any other voltage and switch it but the GND must be common. ie, connect both grounds to the same point.

8

There are diodes to protect the circuit from inductive loads, like a relay or solenoid. The VIN pin can connect to the power source you have.

Say you have a 12V relay you want to control, GND goes to (-) and VIN goes to (+) on your power source. Now, the relay coil can connect to one of the Sink pins and to (+)

Search the web for “controlling a relay from amicrocontroller” and you will see things like this image.

interfacing-buzzer-to-microcontroller

1 Like
9

Mr. Gus,

Thank you. I have been reading up on how to control current sinks from microcontrollers. I think my search protocol was off. Thank you for the update and ideas.

Seth

P.S. So, I just need, for a two-wire device, a four-wire connection, e.g. two positive and two negative (GND) leads ending in the Cape. If this sentence does not make sense. Please forgive me. I think I get it now.

10

use Paint and draw your proposed connections :slight_smile:

11

Dave,

Thank you for replying. I am going to keep searching for ideas.

Seth

P.S. I think Mr. Gus mentioned something I could fathom as of now. If you want to share anything, do not hesitate. I am still working w/ the MotorCape too. Find me here: GitHub - silver2row/motocape: Ideas about the Motor Cape from GHI and Beagleboard.org.

12

Brett,

Seth here. Okay but I may not get to it until later in the day.

Seth

13

that’s fine - just a suggestion if you wanted us to really review it…

14

Hello,

Okay. Just give me some hours. I need to actually set up something before I get a sketch.

Seth

15

Here is my set up. Seth…sorry for the loud set up stuff.

FunnySetUp
FunnySetUp.png696×564 6.58 KB

16

Here is the second idea: I think this is what Gus was talking about in his discussion.

Seth

FunnySetUpII
FunnySetUpII.png696×564 6.92 KB

…

Or…it could be this idea. I guess I can try them all.

FunnySetUpIII
FunnySetUpIII.png1416×682 9.56 KB

17

2 and 3 are correct, assuming all red wires go to (+).

When you wire it, please post a picture here.

18

Hello,

Okay. Sink1 grounds to the first motor (motorOne). Sink2 grounds the motorTwo. All my positive connections are worked/jammed into VIN on the LoadCape.

The battery terminals have leads. The negative lead goes to GND on the LoadCape and the positive terminal lead goes to VIN.

Seth

P.S. Here is the photo of my connection w/ the LoadCape.

GusAndThings
GusAndThings.jpg1310×1767 588 KB

I followed the second “drawing” to the “T.”

19

Hello Once More,

Just for the record, I tried the six wire set up in my photo I provided. I used the USB for communication w/ the battery plugged in at the same time.

…

My computer, desktop, notified me of the processor being ready for use, e.g. am335x. It did not signal that my BeagleBone was ready for use. Is this a complication people are seeing?

Seth

P.S. I think my set up is completely incorrect or I need to set up another route. Oh and my set up w/out the battery plugged in does not allow me to communicate w/ the BBB via USB. Is this odd?

20

Hello,

I have had to flash my image again. The board just died from my set up that I mentioned in the above photo.

Seth

P.S. I will keep trying. Look, I know you all are very busy and do not have time to manually help each individual that has concerns w/ a current product. B/c of that idea, I am willing to wait for any support that is available. I will continue testing until I get this LoadCape up and running!