Why does the DMM make this circuit "work" ? (Power issues : servo & bluetooth)

That series diode is absolutely not needed for motors, or in most situations really. But when running nearly a dozen water pumps (brushless DC) and a handful of air pumps (probably brushed DC) on the same power supply you do get to see quite some noise.

Don't bother making your own coils, not worth your time. Basic inductors are really cheap. Ferrite core is far more efficient, you're not looking for perfection in this application - air coils are for things like HiFi sound applications.

BabyGeezer:
hmm, i'm not sure how to set that up since it's using a "servo controller" module.
(i'd have to setup a whole PCB of support circuitry next to the PCA9685 module)

Using a servo control module is irrelevant. It is the power feed to the servos not the signal that need decoupling. So:-
power supply -> Pi circuit 1 -> +ve of servo 1
power supply -> Pi circuit 2 -> +ve of servo 2
power supply -> Pi circuit 3-> +ve of servo 3
power supply -> Pi circuit 4-> +ve of servo 4
and so on.

although, i just had a look at the datasheet for the PCA9685 and it's really meant for PWM-ing LEDs and not really servos.

Again irrelevant it is equally suited to servos as it is to LEDs or anything else that needs PWM. Incidentally you can't set up the chip so that you can do LEDs on some channels and servos on others. It is a bit of a long winded explanation not worth going into but just stick to servos or LEDs per chip.

wvmarle:
That series diode is absolutely not needed for motors, or in most situations really. But when running nearly a dozen water pumps (brushless DC) and a handful of air pumps (probably brushed DC) on the same power supply you do get to see quite some noise.

i see, i had another thread on a simple 2-wheel vehicle with BJTs running DC motors and a series diode was suggested on the (shared) power supply to the Pro Mini to prevent potential brownout if the motors tried to draw more current.

wvmarle:
Don't bother making your own coils, not worth your time. Basic inductors are really cheap. Ferrite core is far more efficient, you're not looking for perfection in this application - air coils are for things like HiFi sound applications.

well, certainly not as a habit, but i think it would be at least worth the learning experience and calculating values from first principles - plus, if i had to buy them it would take a while to arrive, and i do have some enamel wire on hand for experimentation. (also for mucking about with Joule Thiefs :slight_smile: )

and even if only just to see the above circuit "improve" as per the effect with the insertion of the DMM.

Grumpy_Mike:
Using a servo control module is irrelevant. It is the power feed to the servos not the signal that need decoupling. So:-
power supply -> Pi circuit 1 -> +ve of servo 1
power supply -> Pi circuit 2 -> +ve of servo 2
power supply -> Pi circuit 3-> +ve of servo 3
power supply -> Pi circuit 4-> +ve of servo 4
and so on.

thing is the PCA9685 module handles the V+ (for each servo) as well, so i'd have to breakout the 3-pin male headers just to insert a Pi circuit for each.

Grumpy_Mike:
Again irrelevant it is equally suited to servos as it is to LEDs or anything else that needs PWM. Incidentally you can't set up the chip so that you can do LEDs on some channels and servos on others. It is a bit of a long winded explanation not worth going into but just stick to servos or LEDs per chip.

yes, read that part in the datasheet.

again, i got side-tracked with thinking of the servo power consumption, whereas i should just be thinking servo signal only.

now, if it were PWM-ing a DC motor for speed control, that would be a different matter right ?
seeing there's a limit of 10mA per pin in the datasheet - and i'm guessing that a flyback diode would also be necessary.

no, just use a MOSFET...

The main problem of Pi filters is the size. Big inductor, big capacitors. Especially if you use 2,200µF ones on the output side as I usually do (220µF was just not enough...)

thing is the PCA9685 module handles the V+ (for each servo)

No it dosn't.

The main problem of Pi filters is the size. Big inductor, big capacitors.

No you can use small inductors and small capacitors. I do it all the time.

BabyGeezer:
ehm... isn't that the basis of the scientific method ? :stuck_out_tongue:
you don't know - but you guess* what it is, and then that guess is either validated or proven wrong, at which point you will then DO know (something).

  • = educated one, conjecture or theory...

Science is about explaining and predicting observed/observable/measurable phenomena - coming up with plausible/backable theories to explain the mechanisms behind the observations. It is built-up on accumulated scientific knowledge - (math, gathered data, physics, chemistry etc).

Switching over to something else (eg. nrf24L01) when the existing device (hc-05) is expected to be workable is certainly an option. But, naturally - it is definitely advantageous to find out the reason(s) for a particular approach being currently unable to achieve your objective ----- which is why you asked about it, and which is good. This enters the area of electronics/electronic engineering, and working towards improving electronics knowledge and skills.

Size is relative. The smallest inductor is huge compared to a 0805 resistor; especially if you want lower resistance. Typical 9-10mm diameter and some 12-15 mm high.
Electrolytic capacitors are likewise bulky.

Grumpy_Mike:

thing is the PCA9685 module handles the V+ (for each servo)

No it dosn't.

maybe i should have phrased it differently, i meant that the whole breakout module that the PCA9685 chip is on has just one pin (two in parallel actually) for the incoming V+, meaning that to insert a Pi circuit for each servo, one has to breakout the 3-pin male headers to achieve the setup of;

power supply -> Pi circuit 1 -> +ve of servo 1
power supply -> Pi circuit 2 -> +ve of servo 2
power supply -> Pi circuit 3-> +ve of servo 3
power supply -> Pi circuit 4-> +ve of servo 4
and so on.

Southpark:
Science is about explaining and predicting observed/observable/measurable phenomena - coming up with plausible/backable theories to explain the mechanisms behind the observations. It is built-up on accumulated scientific knowledge - (math, gathered data, physics, chemistry etc).

if the accumulation is unstructured and quite haphazard in its collection, it becomes quite inefficient and the knowledge is filled with (unknown) gaps.

Southpark:
Switching over to something else (eg. nrf24L01) when the existing device (hc-05) is expected to be workable is certainly an option. But, naturally - it is definitely advantageous to find out the reason(s) for a particular approach being currently unable to achieve your objective ----- which is why you asked about it, and which is good. This enters the area of electronics/electronic engineering, and working towards improving electronics knowledge and skills.

yes, this is more my objective than just getting a project to actually work.

it's been three years since i first bought a MPU-6050 module (with unsoldered headers) and i am still learning about all the basics of each part that goes into making a self-balancing robot, trying to make do with existing actuators and power supply options, and finding out why it is not suitable and then trying to make cheap setups work just on principle.

i meant that the whole breakout module that the PCA9685 chip is on has just one pin (two in parallel actually) for the incoming V+, meaning that to insert a Pi circuit for each servo, one has to breakout the 3-pin male headers to achieve the setup of;

No.
You put the filter between the break out board and the servo.

BabyGeezer:
if the accumulation is unstructured and quite haphazard in its collection, it becomes quite inefficient and the knowledge is filled with (unknown) gaps.

Which is to be avoided where possible. And there are gaps in knowledge.... which is why pursuit of science knowledge and methods is ongoing. Science and engineering and other disciplines have gotten us to this interesting technological stage.... I have no issues with the 'structure' and 'efficiency' side of things with science.

I just want to know which 3.3V regulator you used I am also with the same project.

wvmarle:
Size is relative. The smallest inductor is huge compared to a 0805 resistor;

No it is not.
Surface mount inductor on the left 0805 resistor on the right.

Chetan_:
I just want to know which 3.3V regulator you used I am also with the same project.

i'm still prototyping and haven't even settled on how to supply the power properly - at the moment i'm using the LD1117A(3v3) - it's a LDO type. (although also using a DC-DC step-down converter - based on LM2596 chip)

Grumpy_Mike:
No.
You put the filter between the break out board and the servo.

so you mean like this ?

meanwhile, on your webpage that you linked, it says using inductance values of tens of milli-henries.

i've been calculating what length and radius of coil that would involve and it's huge !

is my current circuit really needing that high a value - i can't imagine that's what my DMM was "contributing" ?

what sort of inductance/choke levels would be reasonable for 6V spikes of 100mA ?
(is there a formula for this and what would the 'phenomena' be called ?)

so you mean like this ?

No.

Like this:-


The square boxes are the servos.

i can't imagine that's what my DMM was "contributing" ?

Your right it wasn't so that suggests you don't need that much inductance so you only need a small value. That was a general purpose comment for heavy motors.

what sort of inductance/choke levels would be reasonable for 6V spikes of 100mA ?

You can't say without first defining the period of the pulse and you don't know that.

is there a formula for this and what would the 'phenomena' be called

This is called "inductive reactance" Inductive Reactance - Reactance of an Inductor and is the effective resistance an inductor presents when fed with an AC signal. This is a pure inductance where the actual resistance is considered zero.

The formula is inductive reactance in ohms = 2 * Pi * f * L
where f is the frequency in Hz and L is the inductance in Henries

BabyGeezer:
meanwhile, on your webpage that you linked, it says using inductance values of tens of milli-henries.

i've been calculating what length and radius of coil that would involve and it's huge !

My 10 mH inductors are still the standard 10mm radius, 12mm tall. Not too bad. Ohmic resistance is increasing of course (I'm sure the larger the induction the thinner the wire used to be able to have more coils, so more resistance per length and more overall length) so I'm normally using 330µH for my filters. Just 2-3Ω so not too much losses.

Grumpy_Mike:
No.

Like this:-
The square boxes are the servos.

yes, that was kind of my original point about having to "insert" the Pi circuit and not being able to (be lazy and) "just plug in the servo connection" :stuck_out_tongue:

PIcktPCA9685.jpg

Grumpy_Mike:
Your right it wasn't so that suggests you don't need that much inductance so you only need a small value. That was a general purpose comment for heavy motors.

i see - okay then, i'll try and hand make a coil just to see if it holds back the jitter.
(more to do with "see what happens" than designing the circuit ideally.)

by my calculation, a simple straight (air core) coil of 20mm radius, 10mm long with 20 turns should give about 63 micro-H. (that's already 2.5 meters of the enamel wire needed(!), i don't have any ferrite (nor iron) core - now i get the "don't bother making your own" comment !)

Grumpy_Mike:
You can't say without first defining the period of the pulse and you don't know that.
...
the effective resistance an inductor presents when fed with an AC signal. This is a pure inductance where the actual resistance is considered zero.

so, good'ol V=IR applies here where the (supressing) "resistance" required would be an equivalent of (6V / 100mA) = 60 Ohm ?
and if i can get the frequency; the (minimum) inductance would be L = 60 / (2*Pi * f)

would the inverse of the pulse(time) be considered the 'frequency' ?
(am just realizing that AC doesn't have to be a constant period, and that a "DC spike" is also AC !)

PIcktPCA9685.jpg

An inductor basically tries to keep the current constant - it uses energy stored in its magnetic field for that. That's also why you need that flyback diode on inductive loads: so the current can continue to flow.

When you have a pure DC current flowing, all you see is the ohmic resistance, as in the normal resistance of the wire used. Note that when the power is switched on the inductor resists, so current starts up a bit slower as the magnetic field builds up.

So it rejects all changes in current, that includes spikes. For the same reason an inductor has a much larger resistance for AC current - it changes all the time. This is normally called "impedance" which includes many more effects than just ohmic resistance.

would the inverse of the pulse(time) be considered the 'frequency'

Yes.

Reactance is just one aspect of impedance but for this application you don’t care about impedance.

Without a ferrite core an air core inductor is too big and does not work as well as the ferrite is lossy and absorbs some of the energy in the spikes.

ok then - thanks a lot, Mike and wvmarle !

new adventures into the world of coils will have to be planned soon.