Hello, Synthiam Community,
I've generally had positive experiences with smart servos from Waveshare and Feetech. However, I regret to inform you of some recent negative feedback that I encountered. This morning, I attempted to update the firmware on 22 of my servos from version 3.9 to 3.10 using the Feetech debugging tool (FT SCServo Debug V1.9.8.5). During this update, two servos, specifically those with addresses #25 and #33, became unresponsive. Consequently, they required replacement, which proved to be quite labor-intensive.
Based on well-known knowledge, it is neither advisable to perform these updates over a BUS network structure nor effective due to an existing bug. Instead, the recommended approach is to update the servos using direct 1:1 wired connections. Thankfully, this method can be retrofitted into the current robot installation with relative ease.
I wanted to share this experience with the community, particularly for those utilizing smart servos, to consider this when planning your wiring setup. It took me several hours and resulted in the loss of two servos today-quite an experience, befitting a rainy late summer day.
I hope this helps others avoid similar challenges.
Oh wow that’s good to know for updating those servos. Make sure you notify the manufacturer so they can make note. It should be included in their product manuals so customers are aware of the risk!
Wow, that sucks. Sorry you had to go through that. I totally understand your frustration. Been there and done that with many other problems either that I created to was the fault of poor device design and quality. Thanks for sharing this important info.