Power management

Other Hardware Robotics
1

Hello everyone,

I have the following motors on my platform:

a. (1x) DC 12V, 300mA; - up / down for arm
b. (2x) DC 6V, 650mA; - forward / backward for wheels
c. (1x) Servo 6V, 450mA; - left / right for arm
d. (1x) Servo 12V, 450mA; - grip for arm
e. (2x) Servo 6V, ???mA (Modelcraft MC-1811); - sweep for IR distance sensor

I am thinking about supplying power as follows:

12V / 750mA to arm up-down and arm grip (one DC and one servo);
6V / 1'850mA to wheels, arm left-right, IR sweep (two DC and two servos);
6V / ?? to Arduinos

I have the Arduino Motor Shield and the Adafruit Servoshield. Should I group the motors by type? by voltage? by current? I am lost.

Is this feasible? What batteries would you recommend? I found these: Play-Zone.CH Search results for: 'polymer lithium ion lipo akku 2800mah'

Thank you for your input on this.

2

Or to put this otherwise:

Servo shield Adafruit - 1.2A / channel, max 3.2A/channel

  • servo / arm grip: 450mA, 12V
  • servo / arm left-right: 450mA, 6V
  • DC motor arm up-down; 300mA, 12V
    TOTAL: 1.2A / 6-12V

DC shield Arduino - 2A / channel

  • DC motor front: 650mA, 6V
  • DC motor back: 650mA, 6V
    TOTAL: 1.3A / 6V

Arm: 1.2A / 6-12V
Wheels: 1.3A / 6V

3

In order for someone to answer, you need to tell us how much stuff will be needing current at the same time.

Paul

4

You might want to reconsider 6V for the arduino. It is below the minimum VIN and will push the Arduino 5V to the max, any noise will probably blow it. I would consider driving the arduino with the 12V on Vin, after all you are not powering anything with the Arduino 5 or 3 volt outputs correct? My SWAG is about 1.2A at 12 volts assuming everything is not always on. Your 2800mah would probably last about 2 hours.

5

My robot is a 4 wheeled platform with a gripping arm on top. The ideal scenario would be to be able to move it forward or backward while swinging the arm horizontally, vertically and gripping at the same time. So all motors running simultaneously. Does this involve disproportionate effort for a small play-project as this?

The alternative would be to only use one motor of the arm at a time, while the platform is at rest. Not a tragedy, but I would make an effort to improve on this if possible.

I am driving a small servo from the arduino that sweeps the IR distance sensor. I would like to connect a few sensors as well.

Merry Christmas!