jstarne1
Hello everyone , I sourced switching regulators that are also adjustable from 4.75 volts to 14 volts , I added standard servo ext plugs so they plug directly into your V4 EZB. I will be making these for myself and the community so I hope everyone likes them. Please be aware I can only send these where you will not have rediculous duties or shipping fees as I will just mail them in a standard envelope.
I am looking for 10 testers , try them out , see how you like them and report back. First one is free!
I can also make them with jumper style pigtails for sensors , but I will get in the pigtails later.
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These are naked breakouts , the future models will likely be clear shrink wrapped with a hole punched for the potentiometer adjustment screw. Also there will be a holographic security sticker labeling the model , date and serial number for each unit. These are manufactured for me by a chinese pcb company. I intend to keep many on hand for short delivery times.
however if you buy 20 we can talk privately about a discount.
when you are ready to push some out and need testing please contact me as I architect them into our R2D2 Build. This will give us another power option and can possibly simplify the wiring of this complex system.
Woohooo Thanks again.
Please contact me soon as I can place an order.
I will keep my eyes open here for updates as well.
Very nice work and sweet product. Very much needed for the EZB community.
I received my adjustable inline voltage regulator today.
Using my voltage meter, I realized 8.1 volts directly from my EZB4 pin outs and @ the input side of the regulator.
When I connected to the regulator output, it showed 7.5 volts without any adjustment.
After turning the adjustment screw, I was able to get close to 5 volts.
The adjustment is very sensitive on my unit, and did settle out some.
I will later try testing the regulator on one of my high demand shoulder servos.
Thanks,
Steve S
When you put a load on it please pay attention to the temp if the coil and IC. Based on tester feedback I will make the call on the need of a aluminum heatsink. The end product will be heatshrink wrapped in clear and a hologram on the back with serial number.
I got mine today and I'm looking forward to trying it this weekend. Thank you Josh for the sample and letting me test it. Other than heat, is there anything else you'd like us to test? Do you use to post results here on email you directly?
Also about the hologram security label.... yeah dude this is star trek! Haha.
I am doing it for a couple reasons. First being tracking who owns what regulator for warranty and quality control purposes. The stickers are security type with dual strength adhesive that will separate when removed voiding any warranty. Each one will be numbered and those who already received testers will be assigned a number and sticker mailed as well. Here are the manufactoring samples received today , when I get the serial preprinted I will have to order 1980 of them at once (strange number) they are .4" square with fillet corners.
Thanks FXrtst , the idea is to have a fairly quick shipping option , and combined low cost as well. It pains me to see similar products selling for 30 dollars without wire or crimped ends! That hinders bringing easy-to-use tech to the masses.
This is what I have tested so far.
I tweaked the adjustment screw more on the inline voltage requlator, and have it holding very steady near 5 volts.
I installed the unit on "Ann's" shoulder servo and it operated with no issues.
For this test, It is connected to a EZB4 with a LiPo battery.
I had the arm straight out from the robot, and held it for 5 minuntes. The unit was definetly warm, but not excessively hot. It was operated at the 5 volt output setting.
My meter, set on 10 amp setting, showed 0.31 amps on the digital readout, with the arm extended straight out.
I am not sure if it means 3 amps or 0.3 amps. This robot servo is an EZ Robot original kit, not the HD new type.
It might be an improvement if it had an insulated cover and possibly a heat sink.
From what I have tested, I will probably purchase more units for older servos.
I am curious what other testers found?
Just to let everyone know , the standard servo voltage is 6.0v , 5 volts is what you want for sensors.
5 volts is at the edge of the units limitations so it must "clamp" the hardest the farther the voltage is from the original input. I certainly have two heatsink options already for the regs.
I checked to make sure the wires had a good solder connection to the tab by re-soldering, just to make sure and that did not help.
Nothing looks damaged on the board. Is there anything you'd like me check or would you like me to send it back for you to check?
Kandyred@gmail.com
a couple of the regulators I send in a regular envelope with no padding and I think that rollers from the postal sorting machine may have damaged the potentiometer , I'll get you another from the new batch
I will be testing these in the future and presetting them to either 5 , 6 or 7 volts as requestfed.
Just wanted to clarify for readers of the thread it's not a product issue.