I'm new to this page but I was hoping to get some advice on a servo motor arduino project I'm currently working on.
I'm trying to hook up a HS-815BB servo motor (4.8~6V, max stall current draw 6,000mA) to a Spark Fun Redboard. I know I should hook up an external power supply to my servo motor to avoid frying my board. I've seen x4 AAA battery packs that can output 6V, but I'm not sure about the amperage. I've designed a circuit that uses an external 5V 6 amp power supply but I wanted to get your opinion on if this would work.
The breadboard cannot support 6 amps of current. I build boards that handle the power and pwm signals for the servos instead of running servos through from a breadboard.
It'll probably function, but it's not a good idea to run electronics at their limit. Since the server stall current is 6A, you should really have a slightly more beefy power supply.
Hi! Thanks for your reply. In that case how do you recommend I connect a power supply to my servo? Is there a power supply that I could wire directly to my servo with out a jack adapter?
I can’t see your US product page, but if it’s the same one I can find, the DC output is still running through a small 2.x mm barrel jack.
That’s what you have to get rid of.
Cut it off, or buy a real closed-frame regulated DC power supply like MeanWell, Lambda or similar.
They don’t have flimsy plugs, you have to strip wires and screw them in.
You will have a lot more success if You drop the plug and play thinking. Learn soldering or how to connect thick wires on Your own.
Female terminal connectors uses a number of different dimensions and very often they don't fit. And, as already told, they are not designed for currents higher than a few amps.
Good question. In sales brochures, they're rated from 1A to 10A (!)
I wouldn't be happy selling them for anything over 2A, but some 'good' ones might hold up. Get a bit of corrosion or contact resistance - and keep the extinguisher nearby !
Take a look at the connector data sheets for the actual connector you're using.
Most laptops don't use 2.x mm jacks, they're a slightly different product (don't know the brand / model)
(I bought a new i7 HP SFF 19V @ 4A) literally yesterday, and it has a barrel connector - not a 2.xx mil version. I do admit, I wasn't thrilled. My previous Lenovo had a much chunkier proprietary barrel)
Go for it if you're keen, I've seen a few cheap laptops with heat damaged 2.xx barrel connectors.
Depending on what the 2.x mm is. Laptops - the small ones at least - use a much smaller jack.
My old but reliable ACER Veriton USFF machines have the standard sized - 2.1 mm "barrel" jack for their 19 V 7.1 A power "bricks". No problems for a dozen machines in many years as I recall.
One point though - the line socket on the power supply is not a simple sleeve for the positive but is a spring clip.
