Need to control and power 6 standard size futuba servos

I have 6 futuba servos that I need to power and manipulate at once. Could a uno module handle the controls? What do you recommend in terms of powersupplies? (I live in the us) Thanks for reading! If I get this thing working I'll post it on the forums.

You can provide control signals to 6 servos yes. But what do you mean by "handle the controls" actually? If you mean say joystick control, then 3x 2-axis joysticks would use all 6 of your analog pins which might leave you short for other sensors.

Re power, well prevailing wisdom here is to budget 1A per servo so look for something that can comfortably provide upwards of 6A. (You weren't hoping to power them from the Arduino were you: only signals....)

JimboZA:
You can provide control signals to 6 servos yes. But what do you mean by "handle the controls" actually? If you mean say joystick control, then 3x 2-axis joysticks would use all 6 of your analog pins which might leave you short for other sensors.

Re power, well prevailing wisdom here is to budget 1A per servo so look for something that can comfortably provide upwards of 6A. (You weren't hoping to power them from the Arduino were you: only signals....)

I control the servo pins on my arduino using the serial monitor.. To extrapolate the servos in question are futaba s3003 std 6v.

So 1A per servo is what you recommend. Out of curiosity (and I can't seem to find a straight answer anywhere) how many amps can a 6v servo handle?

So if I need 6volts and 1 amp per servo, do I need a 36 volt 6 amp power supply? How would I split the voltage evenly between the servos?

Thanks for all your help

Out of curiosity (and I can't seem to find a straight answer anywhere) how many amps can a 6v servo handle?

Servos don't handle current, in the sense that they could withstand a certain amount, but they do draw a certain amount. The data sheets for servos don't always say what that is, hence the forum suggestions to budget 1A each.

So if I need 6volts and 1 amp per servo, do I need a 36 volt 6 amp power supply? How would I split the voltage evenly between the servos?

No you just need 6V at 6A, and the motors all connect to the same + and - of the power. If you don't get a 6A supply, use say 2x 3A ones and run 3 off each. In any event, make sure the servos power supply -ve is connected to the Arduino ground as shown in the attached pic (source: zoomkat).

servo-wire.jpg

You might consider getting a power supply with a little headroom - 6V @ 8A perhaps. If all six servos can be moving at the same time that is. If not, having the extra capacity won't matter so much.