Pitsco Education TETRIX MAX R/C Motor Controller User manual

45974
TETRIX® MAX R/C Motor Controller
Quick-Start Guide

V1.0
03/20
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1)
this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
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A downloadable PDF of the most recent version of this guide can be found at
Pitsco.com/TETRIX-MAX-RC-Motor-Controller.

TETRIX® MAX R/C Motor Controller Quick-Start Guide
Introduction
The TETRIX® MAX R/C Motor Controller enables you to control up to two DC motors using a standard radio control
transmitter and receiver. The controller will work with any radio system that follows the standard hobby servo-type control
protocol. The motor outputs on the controller enable both speed and direction control of TETRIX TorqueNADO® DC motors.
However, other 12-volt DC motors can be connected using adapter cables. Like all TETRIX controllers, power is supplied
from a TETRIX 12-volt fuse-protected battery pack. Power is routed through a TETRIX power switch (43169) to the controller
using Powerpole connectors.
The receiver is connected to the motor controller using two channel input cables (one for each motor). The input ports
on the motor controller are pulse-width modulated (PWM) that enable precise speed and direction control of each motor
channel. The controller has two different modes of operation, which are described in the Mode Switch section of this guide.
Mounting Example
Motor outputs
DC motor
connections
Motor control inputs
DC motor control PWM
inputs from R/C receiver
Power out
Spare power port can be used
to supply power to additional
controllers; this requires
the TETRIX MAX Powerpole
Extension Cable (43390).
Battery connection port
Power is supplied to the controller using the
TETRIX On/Off Switch (43169) and a fuse-
protected battery pack. The power switch
is included in TETRIX sets; additional power
switches sold separately.
Mode switch
The controller can be mounted to a TETRIX structure in a variety of ways using screws and nuts included in TETRIX sets.

Operation
Be sure that you’ve made all the proper connections from your robot to the R/C controller before power-up. When the
TETRIX MAX R/C Motor Controller is powered on, you should see the mode LED flash three times. This indicates that the
controller is initializing. The LED will then either stay on or go off depending on which mode the controller is in. After this is
complete, you can adjust the trimmer controls on your gamepad as desired.
Mode Switch
There are several ways to configure the R/C motor controller and gamepad. First, the R/C motor controller has two different
modes – independent channel mode (sometimes called tank-drive mode) and mix channel mode (sometimes called single-
stick mode). You can toggle between these modes by pressing the Mode button on the R/C motor controller. When the
LED near the Mode button is on, the controller is in mix channel mode. When the LED is off, the controller is in independent
channel mode. Each time the controller is powered up, it will remember which mode it was previously in and start in that
mode.
Independent Channel Mode (Tank Drive)
For independent channel mode, the mode LED on the controller must be off. In this mode, each motor is controlled
independently by two different joysticks on the gamepad. For a typical mobile robot, the up-and-down movement of the
left joystick controls forward and backward motion on the left motor. The up-and-down movement on the right joystick
controls forward and backward motion on the right motor. To move the robot forward, both joysticks are pushed forward at
the same rate. To turn, only one joystick is moved.
Mix Channel Mode (Single-Stick Drive)
For mix channel mode, the mode LED on the controller must be on. In this mode, some behind-the-scenes calculations
done by the controller allow a typical mobile robot to be controlled by a single joystick on the gamepad. Usually, a joystick’s
up-and-down movement controls the forward and backward motion while the joystick’s left and right movement causes
the robot to turn. This lets you drive a robot with one hand and frees up the other joystick for controlling other elements
such as servos.
Left Motor
Forward/Backward
Forward/Backward
Right Motor
Forward/Backward
Left/Right

Wiring Connections and Startup Procedure
After you’ve mounted the R/C motor controller, the R/C wireless receiver, and the battery
to your robot, you need to connect and complete the wire connections among all
components. Follow these wiring instructions to correctly power the R/C motor controller
and receiver.
• With the robot facing away from you, connect the left DC motor cable to the Motor 1 Powerpole input on the R/C
motor controller.
• Connect the right DC motor cable to the Motor 2 Powerpole input on the R/C motor controller.
• Use a 3-pin channel input cable to connect Input 2 on the R/C motor controller to one of the channels on the R/C
wireless receiver.
•• Tank drive usually uses Channel 2 on the receiver.
•• Single-stick drive also usually uses Channel 2 on the receiver.
• Use the other 3-pin channel input cable to connect Input 1 on
the R/C motor controller to one of the open channels on the R/C
wireless receiver.
•• Tank drive usually uses Channel 3 on the receiver.
•• Single-stick drive usually uses Channel 4 on the receiver.
• Connect the battery to the on/off switch.
• Connect the Powerpole wire from the switch to one of the
12-volt power inputs on the R/C motor controller.
• Turn on the gamepad controller.
• Turn on the on/off switch to power the R/C motor controller.
• Press the Mode button on the R/C motor controller to select the appropriate mode.
•• Tank drive – The mode LED on the controller should be off.
•• Single-stick drive – The mode LED on the controller should be on.
Tip: Secure all wires so
they do not become
entangled in any moving
parts.

TETRIX MAX R/C Motor Controller Wiring Illustrated
Tank-Drive Mode
Input 1 connects here
Input 2 connects here

Single-Stick Mode
Input 1 connects here
Input 2 connects here

TETRIX® MAX R/C
Motor Controller
Quick-Start Guide
HAVE QUESTIONS?
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