Thrifty Throttle 3

The Thrifty Throttle 3 provides a solid PWM signal for testing electro-mechanical systems. This can be very useful for FRC teams before their control software is complete or trouble shooting issues that arise during competition. There are new features on this version for the same price!

Features:

• PWM Generation
  • Standard Range (For Speed Controllers): 1000us - 2000us
  • Extended Range (For Speed Controllers): 500us -­2400us
• Handheld
  • Comfortable form factor, one hand operation
  • 9V battery operation
• Improvements from Original Thrifty Throttle
  • Cypress PSOC4 running at 24Mhz for solid PWM generation
  • Drive servos with external power source using Y cable
  • RGB LED for visual PWM range mode indication
  • Low battery indication - Fading Yellow LED

Driving Servos:
Since there are so many servos with varying power requirements, it was decided not to power servos directly from the Thrifty Throttle. However, you can easily power such devices from your own power source (e.g. RC battery pack) using a Y cable (am-2261 or am-2581).

Basic Operation:
The push button in the upper right hand corner enables and disables the PWM control.

• From the neutral mode (white LED heartbeat blink)
  • If you do a quick push button press you will enter the standard PWM range (This is used on common speed controllers in FRC)
    • 1000us 2000us
      • In this range the LED colors are as follows:
        • Neutral is Orange
        • Forward is Green
        • Reverse is Red
  • If you hold the push button for about 2 seconds you will enter the extended PWM range (This is used in many ESCs in common RC applications as well as servos)
    • ~500us ~2400us
    • In this range the LED colors are as follows:
      • Neutral is Blue
      • Forward is Turquoise
      • Reverse is Violet
  • Now you can adjust the speed and direction by moving the red throttle wheel with your thumb
    • Clockwise from center =­ forward
    • Counter-clockwise from center = reverse
    • The blink speed will change with the PWM speed
  • To exit and return to neutral simply press the push button again