Powering the servo shield

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aharbick
 
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Powering the servo shield

Post by aharbick »

I built a project with this https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-16- ... rvo-shield If I'm reading the documentation correctly the servos need 5-6V while the Arduino board itself needs 7V+...

I'm powering 4 shields with a total of 64 servos using this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LXN7MN3

However, at 5V, that doesn't seem sufficient to power the Arduino itself (i.e. I plug it in and it won't run). So right now, to run my project I need two power cords. One for the Arduino and one for the servo shields.

Is there a way that I can run with ONE power cord?

Thanks,
Andy

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Powering the servo shield

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

the servos need 5-6V while the Arduino board itself needs 7V+...
The Arduino only needs 7v+ if you are powering via the barrel jack or the VIN pin. It will run fine on 5v if supplied via the USB jack.
I'm powering 4 shields with a total of 64 servos using this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LXN7MN3
What kind of servos - and what do you have them doing? Even micro servos can draw close to 1A each when moving under load. So if you have many of them moving at once, 15A may not be sufficient.

aharbick
 
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Re: Powering the servo shield

Post by aharbick »

I've got 64 MG90S microservos running a simulation of "Game of Life" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUKUeunvB_Y The 15A power supply seems to work.

I was planning on using the barrel jack and I thought I could put a Y-splitter the power supply and run both the servos and the Arduino. Basically I've got a piece of art that I want to hang on the wall and I'd prefer to not have to have TWO power adapters (one for the servos and one for the Arduino)

Here are some photos for illustration.
IMG_5853.jpg
IMG_5853.jpg (163.4 KiB) Viewed 286 times
IMG_5854.jpg
IMG_5854.jpg (171.13 KiB) Viewed 286 times
IMG_5855.jpg
IMG_5855.jpg (86.46 KiB) Viewed 286 times
Thanks!
Andy

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Powering the servo shield

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

You can use one of these - depending on the type of jack on your Arduino board.
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2727
https://www.adafruit.com/product/4536

aharbick
 
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Re: Powering the servo shield

Post by aharbick »

Ahh. Interesting. Is there a similar one for the square type-A plug? That’s what my arduino has.

Thanks!
Andy

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Powering the servo shield

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

Unfortunately, no. But you could use one of these and connect it to the cut-off end of an old USB cable.
https://www.adafruit.com/product/368

aharbick
 
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Re: Powering the servo shield

Post by aharbick »

Ok. I’ll try that. Thanks for the help.

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