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Asked — Edited
Resolved Resolved by Dave Schulpius!

Lower Voltage Servo And "My Battery Is Low" Message

Hopefully this is an easy one :-)

I have a 4.5 to 6 servo I'd like to power via EZ. I'd like to reduce the servo's voltage by splicing in a regulator (see below) between the EZ so I can bring the EZ to full load.

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Anyone see a problem with this?

Thanks,

Daniel


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#1  
What are the specs on that regulator? As we have discussed many times, you can't just worry about the volts, but also the amps, and not just the continuous amps, but the inrush current of the servo.

Alan
#2  
My guess is that regulator can't provided enough current for servos....This is a type of power supply that can provide more than enough current for servos and ezb... It outputs 5 ~ 5.5v, so you won't have to worry about using regulators... Guaranteed to solve your power problems.... Matter of fact I Just bought one for my inMoov... Meanwell 5V 60A power supply
#3  
Hi Alan

I'm powering everything via a 30 amp Mean Well power source to resolve the amp issue.

I originally had a regulator going from the power supply to the EZ to reduce load so to not damage the servo. The regulator was set at 6 v (clearly too low hence the message).

My next thought was bring the EZ power supply up enough to eliminated the message but splice a 2nd regulator between the EZ and servo to bring down its power draw.

Here is a link for the regulator:

http://www.riorand.com/electronics/riorand-lm2596-dc-dc-buck-converter-step-down-module-power-supply-output-1-23v-30v-1pcs-lm2596.html

Now all of this could be moot if my servo could handle what I'll feed the EZ. Its a GWS Heavy Duty S777 6BB Servo. I've been trying to find specs on it but so far I can't. I also plan to run a couple of standard EZ servos via this board as well.

Daniel
#4  
What is the Voltage output of your Meanwell? 12V? I still think you have an amp problem not a voltage problem... 6V is not too low to drive a servo, but if you don't have enough current (amps) then you will have the exact problems that you say you are having.... As a side note check your wiring to make sure you have everything connected correctly....
United Kingdom
#5  
@Mulberry.

Here will be your problem...

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Even though your power supply can offer up 30 amps, the regulator output to the servo will only be 3 amp max. Pretty certain that won't be enough to handle the servo in-rush current as we explained in one of your other posts.
#6  
@Steve that's basically what Alan and I have been saying....
United Kingdom
#7  
I know. I wanted to confirm what you guys were saying and to highlight the exact specs of his regulator with the screen shot. And to confirm what we have all been saying in the previous threads.
#8  
Hmmmmm. Any suggestions on how to control this servo? It needs to be heavy duty to lift my bubble head.

Daniel
#9  
My $49 5v 60a Meanwell will solve all your power problems... Being 5V means no regulators for anything.... Or a sub c 6v/7.2v NiMh battery pack or a Lipo 7.4V battery, or use more than one of those DC/DC regulators in parallel.... In my opinion those are your 4 cheapest options....
#11  
I think I'll give Richard's suggestion of two regulators paralleled a try.


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#12  
I agree your amp starving your servo. What ever devices, power supplies or regulators you use need to be able to handle the amps you will suck through them. I can't find the specs on the servo your using but I'm sure that regular cant provide enough amps.

Your idea is correct to step down the voltage from the 12vdc power supply your using. BTW, that 30 amp power supply should be just fine and will be able to power your servo nicly. I would not worry about having to buy a bigger one. Of course I don't know your total load but we'er just talking this single servo right now. You need to use a step down voltage regulator able to supply enough amps to your servo. That is the trick here.

I've found a cool little adjustable Switching voltage regulator that I'm using on my B9 arm. I had it powering 3 servos without a problem and is rated at 10 amps. It's not cheap and a second device is needed to adjust the voltage one time to what you will be needing. Castle Creations makes this sweet little Bec 10A Switching Regulator. Switching means it runs cool and uses little energy. If you place this between your power supply and the servo you should be OK:

Castle Creations CC Bec 10A 6S Switching Regulator


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Here's the device your going to have to use to change the voltage:

Castle Creations Castle Link USB Programming Adapter


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When you hook this little gem up you will only need to use two of the three wires on the end with the connector on it. This is the voltage output side. Use the Red and brown and cut back and tape the yellow. You'll get what ever voltage you select between these two wires.

Hope this helps.;)
#13  
@Mulberry I think @Dave just solved you problem... The Castle Creation 10A bec looks like it will do the trick....
#14  
The parallel didn't work so I'll consider the other options. I've added two springs to reduce the weight load substantially. Too bad a standard EZ servo isn't quite enough though :-)

Thanks,

Daniel
#16  
Hi Richard

I purchased the Meanwell 5V 60A power supply but I'm still getting "My battery is Low" message. Any suggestions? Is the output adjustable to a higher voltage via the small control on the left?

Thanks,

Daniel
#17  
You will, because the meanwell's output is less than 6.6V ... So go to the Connection Control settings in ARC and uncheck the 6.6v battery warning on your ezb... This warning is set just in case you are using Lipo batteries... This is to ensure you don't under volt and damage a lipo battery
#18  
Huzzah Richard. That did it. My servo is working great. Much appreciated. Also, the power supply has eliminated several voltage converters. :D

Daniel
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