Configuring a 2-Motor Drivetrain (No Gyro) in VEXcode V5

When beginning a new project in VEXcode V5, commands to control the Drivetrain of your robot will not appear in the Toolbox until a Drivetrain has been configured.

You can only configure one Drivetrain per project. 


Adding a Drivetrain

The right hand side of the VEXcode V5 Toolbar with the Devices icon highlighted in a red box. The Devices icon is between the Code Viewer and Print Console icons.

To configure a Drivetrain, select the Devices button to open the Devices window.

Devices Window in VEXcode V5 open with a large button that reads Add a Device.

Select Add a device.

The options for Devices to be added are shown, and the top reads Select a Device. The Drivetrain 2-motor option is in the center of the top row of options, between Controller and Drivetrain 4-Motor.

Select Drivetrain 2-Motor.

The port selection window reads Left Motor Select a Port at the top and shows options for ports 1-21 in three rows of 7 buttons with 1 in the upper left corner. Port 1 is highlighted with a red box.

Select which port the Left Motor is connected to on the V5 Brain.

The port selection window reads Right Motor Select a Port at the top and shows options for ports 1-21 in three rows of 7 buttons with 1 in the upper left corner. Port 10 is highlighted with a red box.

Select which port the Right Motor is connected to on the V5 Brain.

Note that ports that are already configured for other devices will be unavailable.

The Drivetrain configuration window reads Select device option at the top and shows icons for the Inertial Sensor, GPS Sensor, 3 Wire Gyro, and No Gyro options. No Gyro is highlighted with a red box.

Select No Gyro to turn the Gyro off.

The configuration window now reads Drivetrain Settings at the top. The settings below read Wheel Size, with the 4 inches diameter selected; Track Width, set to 295mm; Wheelbase set to 40mm; Gear Ratio, set to a 1:1 input to output ratio, and Gear Cartridge with the 18 to 1 200rpm setting selected. On the right hand side a robot icon shows a blue arrow pointing upwards, indicated forward motion. The Done button in the bottom right hand corner, to the right of the Cancel option, is highlighted with a red box.

Be sure that the Wheel Size, Track Width, Wheelbase, Gear Ration, and Gear Cartridge match your robot. Select Done to save the configuration.

Note: The default values are for the V5 Clawbot and Speedbot. If you are using the Clawbot or Speedbot, you do not need to change the values.


Changing a Drivetrain’s Port Numbers

The Drivetrain Settings window is shown with red boxes highlighted the set ports icons in the upper right hand side of the window. Below are settings for Wheel Size, Gear Ration and Gear Cartridge, as well as Drivetrain direction.

You can change the port number for the Left Motor or Right Motor in the Drivetrain by selecting the device’s plug icon in the top right corner.

Select a different port on the Port Selection screen and the port number will turn green. Then select Done to save the updated configuration.


Changing a Drivetrain’s Wheel Size

The Drivetrain Settings Window with the dropdown for Wheel Size open. The options read 2.75 inches, 3.25 inches, 4 inches, 5 inches, and 6 inches. 4 inches is selected with a checkmark. The rest of the window shows the Track Width, Wheelbase, Gear Ratio, Gear Cartridge and Drivetrain Direction settings.

You can change the wheel size for the Drivetrain by selecting the drop down menu under Wheel Size. Choose your desired wheel size, then select Done to save the updated configuration.

Note: The default values are for the VEX V5 Clawbot and Speedbot. If you are using the Clawbot or Speedbot, you do not need to change the values.


Changing a Drivetrain’s Track Width

The Drivetrain Settings window with the Track Width highlighted. The current track width reads 295mm, and is highlighted in a red box to indicate what to select to update the Track Width. Above are the Wheel Size Settings, and below are Wheelbase, Gear Ration, and Gear Cartridge selections.

You can change the size of the track width for the Drivetrain by entering the values in the number box and by selecting the drop down menu under Track Width. The track width is the measurement between the middle of the front left wheel to the middle of the front right wheel.

Once the Track Width is set, select Done to save the updated configuration.

Note: The default values are for the VEX V5 Clawbot and Speedbot. If you are using the Clawbot or Speedbot, you do not need to change the values.


Changing a Drivetrain’s Gear Ratio

The Drivetrain Settings window with the Gear Ratio highlighted. The current ratio reads Input 1 Output 1, and is highlighted in a red box to indicate what to select to update the Gear ratio. Above are the Wheel Size Settings, Track Width, and Wheelbase settings and below are Gear Cartridge selections.

You can change the gear ratio for the Drivetrain by entering values in the Input and Output boxes. Then select Done to save the updated configuration.

Note: The default values are for the VEX V5 Clawbot and Speedbot. If you are using the Clawbot or Speedbot, you do not need to change the values.


Changing a Gear Cartridge

The Drivetrain Settings window with the Gear Cartridge options highlighted in a red box at the bottom of the window below the Wheel Size, Gear Ratio, and Drivetrain Direction. The Gear Cartride of 36 to 1 100rpm is selected.

The settings also allow the gear cartridge to be changed. 

Select the cartridge that matches your robot. Then select Done to save the updated configuration. 


Reversing a Drivetrain

The Drivetrain Settings window with a red box around the robot icon to the right of the Wheel Size and Gear Ratio settings. The arrow indicating the forward direction is gray, and the arrow indicating the reverse direction is blue, showing that the Drivetrain has been reversed.

The settings also allow the direction of the Drivetrain to be reversed. 

Select the arrows around the robot icon to change the direction of the Drivetrain. Then select Done to save the updated configuration. 


Deleting a Drivetrain

The Drivetrain Settings window with the Delete button in the bottom left corner, to the left of the Cancel and Done buttons, highlighted in a red box indicating what to select to delete a drivetrain from a configuration.

A Drivetrain can be deleted by selecting Delete.

For more information, help, and tips, check out the many resources at VEX Professional Development Plus

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