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format updates for README
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nathanaherne committed Jan 7, 2018
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Expand Up @@ -34,22 +34,25 @@ The negative of this is that these cars are very strong and have the ability to

This software was developed to interface with several motor controllers. IF you can justify the extra money, I recommend using a General Purpose Motor Controller as it makes the whole process much simpler.

## Mobility scooter controllers that have been tested (7 controllers tested so far) AND WORK digital potentiometers
## Mobility scooter controllers that have been tested

I have tested 7 controllers so far and the following controllers work with digital potentiometers

1. Dynamic Controls R-Series
2. Some chinese controllers

NOTE:
1. If you find the motor controller from your donor mobility scooter will not work with a digital potentiometer, you can use the wigwag from the mobility scooter to control forward/reverse.
### NOTE:
If you find the motor controller from your donor mobility scooter will not work with a digital potentiometer, you can use the wigwag from the mobility scooter to control forward/reverse.

### Motor scooter controllers usually have a features you do not see in general motor controllers:

Motor scooter controllers usually have a features you do not see in general motor controllers:
1. Potentiometer control of speed (5v, 12v)
2. Electronic braking system
3. Features only available via the propriatary programmer
4. Requires a 24v battery, a lower voltage battery will result in the contoller not working.

The input for speed control on these controllers expect a voltage range between 0-5v, where 0v is full reverse, 2.5v is stop and 5v is full forward. I have seen some controllers require 0-12v, which creates problems for modern microcontrollers and digital potentiometers (most are max 5v).

Some controllers do not work with digital potentiometers which results in you not being able to control the speed programatically.
### Controllers that do not work with digital potentiometers
The contollers that do not work or intermittantly work are
1. Dyanmic Controls Rhino - Blue in color (does not work with digital potentiometer)
2. PG Drives Solo - Black and Silver versions (they sometimes work, sometimes not)
Expand All @@ -68,13 +71,15 @@ In my experience, Dynamic Controls Support are easier to work with than PG Drive
General purpose motor controllers are much easier to use in these applications because everything can be done in code and they have extensive technical manuals.

### Syren50

Mobility scooters can have one motor with a physical differential or two motors, one motor per wheel. The Syren50 will work with both types. To use the Syren50 with one motor, just wire it as per the manual. To use the Syren50 with two motors, you should wire the motors in series so that you get an electronic differential.

NOTE: To use the Syren50 with a mobility scooter you will need to
1. remove the electronic brake attached to the end of the motor (unless you implement control of the brake using a separate piece of hardware).
2. Cut off all propriatary plugs and connect the correct wires directly to the motor controller as per the Syren50's manual.

### Sabertooth2x32

The Sabertooth2x32 has the ability to control two electric motors (among a number of other features). This software has been designed to support the Sabertooth2x32. The main isssue with using the Sabertooth2x32 with two rear motors is there will be no differential. I do not think it is a great idea to use the Sabertooth2x32 for two motors, even though it is possible. The Sabertooth2x32 is useful for people who would like to use it to control an electronic brake, though at this time, I have yet to implement or test this functionality.

The Sabertooth 2x32 has the ability to engage/disengage the electronic brake so you can leave it attached if you wish.
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