servo question!

[Aligator]

Hi

can i run my servos off my 5v regukator or do i need to supply it unregulated power.

Thanks in advance.

[madsci1016]

You can, but watch how much current you try to pull through it. IF your regulator starts to heat up, it may need a heatsink or you are trying to use two many servos on one regulator.

 How many servos do you have?

[Aligator]

well it is not a deatefinate answer as it is my own proto-dovelopment board so i guess it could be up to 5.is that to many.

i guess i may have to buy a 6v battery pack then, i guess i will get alot of use out of it so it is not as though it is a waste of money.

[galannthegreat]

Powering servos from unregulated power is not a good thing because if you start to draw a lot of current through them, or when you have more of them, or you stall them, the current spike can affect your controller in a bad way. It's also good design to separate inductor type devices from other devices (just take the unregulated line and send it to the servo), just remember the common ground.

[SmAsH]

Powering servos from unregulated power

you mean regulated right?
Imo, dont use regulated power for servos, its just not worth it. The power wasted is huge and as galan said, it may cause power drops/spikes which may reset/fry your microcontroller. Rather just get another pack.

[kd5kfl]

if you want regulated 5V, take it from your PC.

I have done this for years, never a problem. Running an OOPic and servos. puts some hash and trash on the 5 VDC, but it does not affect the computer.

Taking 5 VDC and 12 VDC from the disc drive power connectors

[galannthegreat]

Whoops. Yes I meant regulated... Let's just say, it was a long day.

[SmAsH]

if you want regulated 5V, take it from your PC.

I have done this for years, never a problem. Running an OOPic and servos. puts some hash and trash on the 5 VDC, but it does not affect the computer.

Taking 5 VDC and 12 VDC from the disc drive power connectors

You do realize that if you pull more than 500mA from a usb port it'll fry? Servos are not a good idea imo.

[Soeren]

Hi,

Taking 5 VDC and 12 VDC from the disc drive power connectors

You do realize that if you pull more than 500mA from a usb port it'll fry? Servos are not a good idea imo.

Trouble reaching the daily quota of posts?
No problem... Just don't read the posts you want to answer

You are hereby declared the laughing stock for the next 16,2 minutes... Ha, that'll teach you (...or not - probably)

[madsci1016]

if you want regulated 5V, take it from your PC.

I have done this for years, never a problem. Running an OOPic and servos. puts some hash and trash on the 5 VDC, but it does not affect the computer.

Taking 5 VDC and 12 VDC from the disc drive power connectors

You do realize that if you pull more than 500mA from a usb port it'll fry? Servos are not a good idea imo.

He said to take it straight off the ATX power supply, which isn't a problem

[Aligator]

Thanks for your replies.

Powering servos from unregulated power

you mean regulated right?

Yes, good pick up.

I think i will go and buy a 6 v battery pack to power the servos.

[Joker94]

I think that is the better option.