User Guide

Setting Commands
Several parameters of the Sabertooth 2x12 can be changed using Packetized Serial mode. Some
of these changes persist when the unit is powercycled and some persist when it is switched to
other modes.
14: Serial Timeout (decimal 14, binary 0b00001110, hex 0h0e)
This setting determines how long it takes for the motor driver to shut off if it has not received a
command recently. Serial Timeout is off by default. A command of 0 will disable the timeout if
you had previously enabled it. The timeout scales 1 unit per 100ms of timeout, so a command of
10 would make a timeout of 1000ms. This setting does not persist through a power cycle or in
any mode other than Serial.
15: Baud Rate (decimal 15, binary 0b00001111, hex 0h0f)
This value remains until it is changed and does persist through a power cycle. The values are:
1: 2400 baud
2: 9600 baud (default)
3: 19200 baud
4: 38400 baud
16: Ramping (decimal 16, binary 0b00010000, hex 0h10)
This adjusts or disables the ramping feature found on the Sabertooth 2x50. This adjustment
applies to all modes, even R/C and analog mode. Values between 1 and 10 are Fast Ramp;
values between 11 and 20 are Slow Ramp; values between 21 and 80 are Intermediate Ramp.
Fast Ramping is a ramp time of 256/(~1000xCommand value). Ramp time is the delay between
full forward and full reverse speed.
1: 1/4 second ramp (default)
2: 1/8 second ramp
3: 1/12 second ramp
Slow and Intermediate Ramping are a ramp time of 256/[15.25x(Command value – 10)]
See Figures 8.1 and 8.2 in the Appendix for a graph of values.
17: Deadband (decimal 17, binary 0b00010001, hex 0h11)
This determines the extent of the Sabertooth’s deadband – the range of commands close to
“stop” that will be interpreted as stop. This setting applies to all modes and persists through a
power cycle. The commands range from 0 to 127 and the formula is as follows:
127-command < motors off < 128+command
Thus, a command of 3 would shut the motors off with speed commands between 124 and 131.
A command of 0 sets the deadband to its default, which is 124 < off < 131 in serial mode.