5. Getting Started

The Orangutan requires power be applied across the + and GND pins along the right edge of the board. The device is protected by a MOSFET against accidental reverse-battery connection. When the Orangutan is powered, you can press the power button, which is located on the right side of the bottom edge of the board, to turn the Orangutan on and off. When the Orangutan is on, the blue LED next to the power button is lit.

For the Orangutan SV-xx8, the supply voltage should be 6 – 13.5 V, so a 5- to 9-cell NiCd or NiMH battery pack is a good choice. This Orangutan can work with a 10-cell NiCd or NiMH battery pack or a 12V lead-acid battery, but you should be aware that such a power source might exceed the controller’s maximum voltage rating if the batteries are freshly charged.

For the Orangutan LV-168, the supply voltage should be 2 – 5 V, so a 3-cell NiCd or NiMH battery pack is a good choice, though the unit can operate from two or four NiMH cells with some limitations. At lower voltages, the effectiveness of the motor drivers is reduced, and the 5 V step-up regulator’s available output current decreases. Beyond 5 V, the step-up regulator ceases operation and the input voltage shows up on the Vcc line; the components on the board can operate to 5.5 V, but some sensors you use might have a 5.25 V limit.