4.e. Safe-Start Mode

When the TReX starts up in either RC or analog mode, it first enters safe-start mode. In this mode, the three motors are shut down and are unaffected by the channel inputs. The TReX lets you know its in this mode by rapidly flashing its green status LED. To exit this mode, the following conditions must all be simultaneously met:

  1. All required channels must have a valid signal. This only applies when the TReX is in RC mode since it’s not possible to have an invalid analog signal. Required channels are determined by the “required channels” configuration parameter. Only channel one is required by default.
  2. All motor channels must be close to their neutral values (i.e. they must not be instructing the motors to move very quickly). Channel 5 must be disabling serial override. The TReX will not allow you to start with serial controlling the motors if you’re in RC or analog mode.

If you have floating channels while running in analog mode, it may be impossible for you to satisfy the safe-start conditions. Bullet point #2 in the analog section (Section 4.d) provides several ways to fix this problem.

Once you have satisfied the safe-start conditions, the green status LED should stop flashing and turn solidly on. This indicates that the channel inputs are now in control of the motors.

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Pololu TReX Dual Motor Controller DMC01
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