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Charger Setup

Choosing the Charger Position

A good charger position is important for reliable charging. The site needs:

  1. Access to power.
  2. A clear view of the sky. Avvy uses GPS to dock with the charger.
    • The charger can be placed near the wall of a shed, but the rest of the sky should be wide open so Avvy can get a reliable position fix.
  3. A corridor 3–6 metres in front of the charger, with the charger facing it.
    • If the charger is too close to the corridor, Avvy will not have enough room to line up with the dock.
    • A corridor running across the front of the charger is ideal, because it lets Avvy choose the best point to start its approach.

Charger position

An ideal layout. The charger is set back 6 m from a corridor that runs across the front of it.

Teaching Avvy Its Charger Location

Before you start, make sure the area 2 m in front of the charger is clear. Avvy will drive forward during setup.

  1. Check that Avvy is not running a program. If it is, stop the program.
  2. Press the E-stop so Avvy can be moved by hand.
  3. Push Avvy into the charger until the contacts are pushed into the vertical (halfway in) position.
  4. Release the E-stop to re-enable the motors. Keep holding Avvy in position until the motors engage.
  5. In the Autonabit Dashboard, go to the Control page.
  6. Select the robot you are setting up the charger for.

  7. Click Show advanced.

    Show advanced

  8. Click Create charger.

    Create charger

Avvy then records the charger location automatically:

  1. Avvy waits in position for up to 10 seconds while it records the charger location.
  2. Avvy drives forward 2 m to the charger's approach point.
  3. Avvy waits for up to 10 seconds while it records the approach point.
  4. Avvy stops and saves the new charge program.

Warning

When the E-stop is released, the motors will engage. Keep your feet clear of the wheels, and stand clear of the 2 m approach area once you click Create charger.