IR Starter Robot Kit Motor not working

#1

Hi

I have built the Robot Starter Kit IR version (Tank) and the motors do not seem to be working.

Here is what I have done so far after hours of searches and reading forum threads.

BTW I’m using a brand new set of batteries.

  1. Loosened the wheels to make sure that was not the problem
  2. Double and triple checked the wiring
    3 .Upgraded the Firmware using mBlock - Still do not work
  3. Downloaded the latest libraries and using Arduino IDE uploaded the IR_Ultrasonic Sketch - Still did not work
  4. Uploaded the DC MotorDriverTest sketch - nothing happened.

The lights next to the motor ports do not turn on at all when the robot is on.

However…

When the robot is off and i move the wheels with my hands the lights do flicker and and the wheels move freely, when the power is switched on trying to move the wheels manually is much harder.

#2

Did you turn the power on? The board has a power switch next to the motor ports, which needs to be used when the board is disconnected from usb.

#3

Yes lol, the power is on

#4

The AA batteries can not supply enough current to run the motors well. Use 9.6V NiMH 2000mAH battery pack, or even better a 3S lipo 25C 1600mAH or better works very well.

#5