New to electronics to bear with me.
I'm using 4 MG996R servos and am expecting each one to take 1 amp each. I want to supply 6v to each as well. I'm using one of two laptop chargers which provides 19.5v at 2A and 4A to power both the servos, and my Arduino UNO. I couldn't find anything else around the house that would supply enough voltage or amps. I used a 12v linear voltage regulator to power my Arduino, and haven't had problems with it so far. The only problem I'm having is powering the servos. I tried linear voltage regulators (L7806CV) , but they won't supply enough current as they were rated for a maximum of 1.5 Amps. I tried a buck converter, but I ended up blowing two of them up. They were only rated for 3 Amps. Go figure. Yet strangely they still blew up while using my 2A laptop charger so maybe that's not it. I'm tired of buying components only for me to experiment and realize I'm just wasting my time. Without using a variable bench power supply, any suggestions on how I can just simply power my servos?
Would I be able to power everything with this, or would I need a separate source for the uno?
You would need to try, however, I have used similar supplies for the Arduino, sensors, display and 2 servos successfully.
Check the output for large amount of AC ripple. The power those devices output all goes though lots of filtering inside your laptop. Check the voltage with a DVM set to measure AC. Should be almost zero volts AC if a DC supply to be used with your project.
I had one from an old laptop with about the rating you listed, but the actual DC was about 5 volts.
A single adapter can power Arduino and servo motor. Please do not power servo motor via 5V pin of Arduino. Instead, using DC Power Jack Plug Adapter Connector to separate the power.
The barrel jack of the Arduino requires 7-12 volts to power correct? So if I used a 7-12v adapter, how would I then supply it to the servo motor when I want only 6V to go to it?
This image kind of shows my concerns
Too right (can't believe everything we see on the internet, can we?)
Well this is your servo:
Specifications
• Weight: 55 g
• Dimension: 40.7 x 19.7 x 42.9 mm approx.
• Stall torque: 9.4 kgf·cm (4.8 V ), 11 kgf·cm (6 V)
• Operating speed: 0.17 s/60º (4.8 V), 0.14 s/60º (6 V)
• Operating voltage: 4.8 V a 7.2 V
• Running Current 500 mA • Stall Current 2.5 A (6V)
• Dead band width: 5 µs
• Stable and shock proof double ball bearing design
• Temperature range: 0 ºC – 4.8 V a 7.2 V – 900 mA (6V) double ball bearing design 55 ºC
Consider the stall current so lets say 2.5 amps per so I would just be looking at maybe a 5.0 volt 10 amp supply to power only your 4 servo motors. I use one of these and it maintains 5.0 volts out under a 10 amp load. Buy once and cry once and be done with it.
Just My Take
Ron
I'd prefer to power everything through one outlet instead of separating the Servos and Arduino. Is there any way to do that, or am I just stuck with having to separate them?
Or if the maximum voltage for the servos is 7.2V, can I use a 7v adapter at 10 or more Amps and connect everything to that? Would it be risky to use 7v with the servos though?
The only issue you may have is Arduino (or any micro controller) do not like being powered by any source that is powering any type motor including a servo motor. Can you try it? Sure but don't be disappointed if your Arduino starts rebooting. So yes, you can try it powering your Arduino and your servos off a single supply, I doubt it will hurt to try. One day I have to dig out a servo and power it while monitoring the power on a scope and see what my DC power looks like. I just have never done it and believe most will recommend against it.
Yes, you can try it with a 7.0 volt supply.
Ron
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