Arduino Motor Shield Rev3

I have a project where I will be using the Continuous Rotation Servo FS5106R for unlocking a box. Can I use Arduino Motor Shield Rev3 instead of the Adafruit Motor/Stepper/Servo Shield for Arduino? I would like to avoid unnecessary soldering.

Arduino Motor Shield Rev3

Adafruit Motor/Stepper/Servo Shield for Arduino v2 Kit - v2.3

Continuous Rotation Servo FS5106R

To control a servo, you don't need any special driver.
Power it with a suitable power supply and control it via the PWM pin (control).

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The author of the video in the instructions for the "Linear Servo Actuator" project also mentions the Adafruit Motor Shield V2. Can someone explain if it can work without the shield and why it might be better to use it? I need it to open a wooden box using an RFID Sensor (MFRC522) and a Pololu Servo Motor FS5106R.

Linear Servo Actuator

Both shields are passing the Arduino pins straight through to the servo pins on the shield.
The two motor shields do nothing to the servo signals.
And servo power is stolen from Arduino's 5volt rail, which is potentially a bad design.
Don't use servos with those shields.

If you must use a shield, then use a servo shield (click).
But, I think it come as a kit, so you must solder the pins yourself :slight_smile:
Leo..

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@Wawa Will I be able to power this entire setup with the Arduino Uno Rev3, Adafruit 16-Channel 12-bit PWM/Servo Shield, and RFID Sensor (MFRC522) using the V75 USB Battery Pack?

I think the Uno R3, MFRC522 and shield won't be a problem (estimated 50-150mA).
The servo however can pull about 1Amp every time it start moving.
Don't know if that powerbank will like that.

Another problem is that powerbanks are designed to charge phones, and most of them turn off after a while when current drops below ~100mA. There are solutions for that...

You can try connecting the powerbank to the USB socket of the Uno, but that won't power the servo, because servo power must be connected to the screw terminal.
It should be safer to power the servo separately, with a (rechargeable) 4-AA battery pack.
Leo..

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V75 USB Battery Pack has Standard Always On Feature for IoT

Capacity: 19,200mAh, 71 Watt Hours
Output: 5V/2A , 3A max (2 outputs)
MicroUSB Input: 5-6V/2A
USB-A Output (2 Always On ports): 5V/2A, 3A max. Use side port for charging if using Always On mode.
Minimum Charge Current: 5mA (indicators turn on at 60mA)
Maximum Power Point (MPP): 5.2V
USB-C (Input Only): 5V/2A

Maybe you can use the second USB output to power the servo.
You need a special cable between powerbank and PCA9685 shield screw terminal.
Leo..

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Thank you for the info! Could you recommend any specific cables or adapters for connecting a power bank to the PCA9685 screw terminal?

"USB to bare wires" power cables are available.
Enter this on Google, and go to images.

I would just cut off the plug and find the 5volt/ground wires, which are usually red/black.
Leo..

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