Hello Nomad_6R,

Yes, you can ask your question here, and I'm here to help!

Using HITEC 6-volt servos directly with a 7.4-volt battery without a voltage regulator can potentially damage your servos over time due to the higher voltage. The voltage regulator is getting very hot because it's working hard to step down the voltage from 7.4 volts to a safer level for your 6-volt servos, which can cause it to heat up rapidly, especially if there's a high current draw from multiple servos.

However, some servos are designed to handle a slightly higher voltage than their rated voltage. It's essential to check the specifications of your specific HITEC servos to see if they can safely operate at 7.4 volts. If the servos are rated strictly for 6 volts, continuously supplying them with a higher voltage may lead to overheating, reduced lifespan, or immediate damage.

If your servos can handle the 7.4 volts, you might be able to use them without the 5-volt regulator, but this is only advisable if you're sure about the servos' voltage tolerance. Otherwise, it's safer to use a voltage regulator.

To address the overheating issue with your voltage regulator, consider the following options:

1. Heat Dissipation: Ensure the voltage regulator has adequate heat dissipation. You can achieve this by attaching a heatsink to the regulator or ensuring it's in a well-ventilated area.
2. Current Draw: Check if the current draw from your servos is within the regulator's capacity. Overloading the regulator can cause excessive heat. You might need a regulator with a higher current rating.
3. Distribution: If you're using multiple servos, consider using more than one voltage regulator to distribute the load, reducing the strain on a single regulator.

Always ensure your setup is safe and within the operational limits of your components to avoid damage to your robot or creating a fire hazard.

If you have further questions or need more assistance, feel free to ask!

@athena

are the inline voltage regulator original from ez robot good for servo's ?

Yes, the inline voltage regulators provided by EZ-Robot are designed to be used with their EZ-B v4 controller and are suitable for powering servos, especially when you need to step down the voltage to a level that's safe for your servos. These regulators are specifically made to ensure that your servos and other peripherals receive the correct voltage, which is crucial for the longevity and performance of your servos.

However, it's essential to ensure that the voltage regulator you're using matches the requirements of your specific servos. For example, if your servos are rated for 6 volts and you're using a 7.4-volt battery, an inline voltage regulator that steps down the voltage to 6 volts or slightly below would be appropriate.

Keep in mind the following when using inline voltage regulators:

1. Current Capacity: Make sure the regulator can handle the current draw of your servos, especially if multiple servos are connected. Overloading the regulator can lead to overheating and potential failure.

2. Heat Dissipation: Voltage regulators can get hot during operation, especially under heavy loads. Ensure they are mounted in a way that allows for adequate heat dissipation. Using a heatsink or ensuring good airflow can help manage heat.

3. Wiring and Connections: Ensure all connections are secure and that the wiring is capable of handling the current required by your servos. Poor connections can lead to voltage drops and erratic servo behavior.

4. Check Specifications: Always refer to the specifications of both your servos and the voltage regulator to ensure compatibility. Using a regulator with the wrong output voltage can damage your servos.

The inline voltage regulators from EZ-Robot are generally reliable and designed to work seamlessly with their robotics platform. If you have any specific concerns or need further clarification about your setup, it's a good idea to reach out to EZ-Robot's support or consult the documentation that came with your regulator and servos.

@athena

ez robot inline regulator draw max 1A the hitec HS805BB draws 8 mA does this mean the inline are not suteble for these servo's ?

It seems there might be a bit of confusion regarding the current draw specifications of the Hitec HS-805BB servo. The Hitec HS-805BB is a high-torque servo that typically draws much more than 8 mA. The 8 mA figure might be the idle current without load, but under load, especially when moving or under stall conditions, the current draw can be significantly higher, often exceeding 1A.

The inline voltage regulator from EZ-Robot, with a maximum current draw of 1A, is designed to step down the voltage to a safer level for your components. However, if the Hitec HS-805BB servo or multiple servos connected in parallel draw more current than the regulator's maximum capacity, it could lead to overheating of the regulator or insufficient power being supplied to the servos, affecting their performance.

Here are a few considerations:

1. Check servo Specifications: Verify the operating current and stall current of the Hitec HS-805BB servo. The stall current (maximum current drawn when the servo is prevented from moving) is a critical figure and can be much higher than the operating current.

2. Regulator Capacity: If the total current draw of your servos at any time could exceed 1A, the EZ-Robot inline voltage regulator might not be suitable for your application. You may need a regulator with a higher current rating.

3. Distribute Load: If you're using multiple servos, consider using more than one voltage regulator to distribute the load, ensuring that no single regulator is overloaded.

4. Alternative Solutions: For high-current applications, you might need to look into more robust voltage regulation solutions. Some options include using a dedicated high-current UBEC (Universal Battery Eliminator Circuit) or a voltage regulator capable of handling higher loads.

5. Monitoring: Regardless of the solution, always monitor the temperature and performance of your voltage regulators and servos during operation to ensure they are operating within safe limits.

In summary, while the EZ-Robot inline voltage regulator is designed for use with their robotics platform, ensuring it matches the current requirements of your specific servos, like the Hitec HS-805BB, is crucial. Always refer to the detailed specifications of your components and consider the peak current draw under load when planning your power supply and regulation strategy.

@athena

you are correct . its idle draw .

thank you

just incase anyone reads this and has a link for a good voltage regulator for the hitec HS805BB servo's . i would love to have a link .

thanks

For powering high-torque servos like the Hitec HS-805BB, which can have a high current draw, especially under load, you'll need a robust voltage regulator capable of handling the peak current demands of your servos. Since the Hitec HS-805BB servos operate at 6V, and assuming you're using a higher voltage power source (like a 7.4V LiPo battery), you'll need a step-down (buck) voltage regulator that can comfortably supply the necessary current.

A commonly recommended solution for high-current applications in robotics is to use a UBEC (Universal Battery Eliminator Circuit). UBECs are designed to provide a stable output voltage from a higher voltage source, and they're typically used in RC (Radio Controlled) applications where high-current servos are common.

Here are a few key features to look for in a UBEC or voltage regulator for your application:

1. Output Voltage: Ensure the regulator provides a 6V output, which is suitable for your Hitec HS-805BB servos.
2. Current Capacity: Look for a UBEC with a high current rating. Considering the Hitec HS-805BB can draw around 1.2A at no load and significantly more under load, a UBEC rated for at least 5A continuous would provide a good buffer. For multiple servos, sum their maximum current draws to estimate your total current needs.
3. Efficiency: High-efficiency regulators generate less heat and are more reliable, especially under heavy loads.
4. Size and Weight: Depending on your robot's design, these might be important factors.

As for specific product recommendations, it's always a good idea to check the latest offerings from reputable hobbyist electronics and robotics suppliers. However, I can't provide direct links or endorse specific products. Brands like Pololu, Castle Creations, and Hobbywing often receive positive feedback from the robotics community for their UBECs and voltage regulators.

Before purchasing, I recommend reviewing product reviews, forums, and community feedback to ensure the UBEC or voltage regulator meets your specific needs and has a proven track record of reliability and performance in similar applications.

Nomad, You might want to take a look at servocity.com,  I recall seeing a 7.4V servo that is equal to the HS805. A lil bit more pricey, but I think it might be what your looking for. It under the "giant" servo list near bottom on the page on the site.

Hi Nomad, Sounds like you're drawing more amperage to run your servo then your voltage regulator and provide. There's a good chance you're going to burn it out. The servo you're running pulls up to 6 amps in a stall. You'll need a bigger boat (Jaws movie quote. LOL).

Here's my personal favorite. It's small, the output voltage is adjustable , input is variable up to 65 volts, has a 10amp MAX output and it's a switching regulator which means it will run cooler and be more efficient. It's a bit pricey and you'll also needs additional hardware to adjust the voltage through your computer but it's worth every cent. It's has 3 wires on the output side. You'll only need the two voltage wires so cut off ant tape the third one.

Castle Creations CC Bec 10A 6S Switching Regulator and programing kit:

Castle Creations Bec

Castle Creations Castle Link USB Programming Adapter

Since this is for an InMoov, you might want a 5v power supply with high amperage. Most people use that rather than batteries because there are so many servos.

DJ is dead on with his recommendation of using a 5 volt power supply with a high amp rating to run all your servos. As long as all your servos can run properly at 5 volts. Even though your hitec hs-805bb servo is rated at 6 volts (max) it will run nicely at 5 volts. It's rated to run between 4.8 - 6.0 Volts. When run at the lower end of the voltage range your servo will have less torque. This may not be an issue though.

hi averyone

robohappy i have allreddy bought all the servo's gail recomended . but i will have a look . thank you for the link .

hi dave

yeach one servo just dont move .  the voltage regulator will burn out for sure.

hi dj

a 5 volt power supply , you mean one that is plugged in a wallsocket ?

thank all

robohappy

you mean thisone ?

servo 7.4 volt