Servo Info and Centering
Servo Info and Centering
A servo is a mechanical motorized device that can be instructed to move the output shaft attached to a servo wheel or arm to a specified position. Inside the servo box is a DC motor mechanically linked to a position feedback potentiometer, gearbox, electronic feedback control loop circuitry and motor drive electronic circuit. Push / Pull Rod
Rotary
Mounting Tabs
Gear Train Servo Output Shaft Mount Tabs Plastic Box Motor Gear Set Potentiometer Electronics Wires
X-ray View
A typical R/C servo looks like a plastic rectangular box with a rotary shaft coming up and out the top of the box and three wires out of the servo side to a connector. Attached to the output shaft out the top of the box is a servo wheel or Arm. These wheels or arms are usually a plastic part with holes in it for attaching push / pull rods or other mechanical linkage devices to the servo. The three electrical connection wires out of the side are V- (Ground), V+ (Plus voltage) and S Control (Signal). The control S (Signal) wire receives Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signals sent from an external electronic controller and is converted by the servo on board circuitry to rotate the motor, gearbox, potentiometer and output shaft connected to the servo arm or wheel. R/C servos run on 5 volts DC but they often work with voltages V-, V+ between 4 and 6 volts DC power, near 1 Amp of current. (Torque load determines amps and can be from 200 mA to 1 Amp depending on moving or holding force the servo needs for position) R/C Servos are controlled by sending a pulse width signal (PWM) from an external electronic device such as a servo controller, servo driver module or R/C transmitter and receiver. Pulse Width Modulation or PWM signals sent to the servo are translated into position instructions by electronics inside the servo. When the servo is instructed to rotate, the DC motor is powered on until the rotating potentiometer linked, geared to the DC motor reaches the electric value corresponding to the instructed position sent to the servo and translated by the on board electronics. A pulse width signal (PWM) of approximately 1.5 mS (1500 uS) is the "neutral" position for the servo. The servo, neutral is defined to be the point where the servomotor has exactly the same amount of potential rotation in the counter clockwise direction as it does in the clockwise direction. When the pulse width signal (PWM) sent to a servo is less than 1.5 mS. the servo moves some number of degrees counterclockwise from the neutral point. When the pulse is greater than 1.5mS the servo moves some number of degrees clockwise from the neutral point. Generally the minimum pulse will be about 1.0 mS and the maximum pulse will be 2.0 ms with neutral ( Stop) movement at 1.5 mS
R/C Servo
Servo
(-) Ground (+) 5 Vdc (S) Signal
R/C Servo
SERVO CENTERING
(A) Reference Mark Reference Line (A) Reference Mark Reference Line
Arm/Wheel Screw
BPE
BPE
Servo Arm
Servo Wheel
Servo Checker
Test and calibrate hobbyist "Radio Control" type servos.
Manual and Automatic Sweep Mode. Slow 90 degree sweep function. 0 and 90 degree calibration marks ( servo 1ms and 2ms pulse widths) Calibration marker every 15 Degrees Advanced Setup Port Manual Test Power Connection 4.8 - 6.0 Vdc
R/C Servo
Test LED
Connections:
Battery = 4.8 to 6 Vdc only-middle pin connection (Plus (+Vdc), either side connection pin (Negative (-Vdc). NOTE: Incorrect polarity will damage the servo checker.
Operation
Connect a battery and servo to the servo tester. NOTE: Check servo connector polarity (-minus) (+Plus) (Signal)
Servo Checker
Wall Power Supply (5 Vdc @ 1 Amp)
BLACK - Vdc
Setup
RED + Vdc
POWER CONNECTION -Gnd +5V Optional Mobile Power +5 Vdc Supply Power Connection
5 Vdc
Caution
Check Correct Polarity (-/+)
(Servo Checker) Blue Point Engineering R/C Servo Connection Positions A B C - Black - Red - White / Yellow
Automatic Test
Caution
Check Correct Servo Connection