Seeking Guidance Regarding Pixy & 4-Wheel Servo Control

Using Arduino Project Guidance
#1

Good Day Sir,

I have encountered a problem for which I am gravely concerned. I am running on a Arduino Due but I am willing and able to convert to a Arduino Uno if need be. I am powering the Arduino Due with a typically 9v Alkaline Battery.

Attached to the SPI port is a ribbon cable that also connects to a Pixy, a object-tracking component.

The Pixy requires 5v to operate which is supplied through the SPI port.

Details: http://cmucam.org/projects/cmucam5/wiki/Powering_Pixy

So, operating the Pixy on the Arduino Due by when nothing else is attached works flawlessly. The issue arises when attaching 4 continuous rotation motors onto the Arduino.

Servo Detail: http://www.tinyosshop.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=220

I am supplying the power of the servos via a 9v battery which is sent to a 6v regulator and then delivered to the servos. It should be noted that the only a GND cable and 4 of the pinout cables are the only things attached to the Arduino Due from the Servo circuit.

I suppose that the issue is regarding the current. However, I am not sure. Should I get motor shield? Any ideas or comments? Everything will be greatly appreciated.

#2

Er - whats the problem?

Mark

#3

Well, when having both the Pixy and the servos connected everything starts acting sporadically and the servos move a little, remain dormant or make a noise.

#4

Put the 9v battery back in the smoke detector, where it belongs, and get some AA cells.

#5

AWOL:
Put the 9v battery back in the smoke detector, where it belongs . . .

+1

There are lots of threads discussing powering multiple servos.

Here are two recent ones.

This post includes a link to the Gerber files used to make the "Ten Servos" PCB.

Edit: I just checked the link to the servos. Those should be fine powered from two LiPo or two Li-Ion cells.

#6

Could that be the root of the problem? I will give it a try and report back my results.

#7

lukescomputers:
Could that be the root of the problem?

Yes.

#8

The issue arises when attaching 4 continuous rotation motors onto the Arduino.

Servos need an external power supply. If you try to power them from the arduino, it will crash the arduino.

#9

DuaneDegn:
Yes.

I bought a 8 AA battery holder. I put in the batteries plugged it in and poof! one of my servos melted. Thoughts? I am going to post my circuit diagram in a second

#10

8 AAs (assuming alkalines) is 12V.
What is the rated voltage of your servos?

#11

AWOL:
8 AAs (assuming alkalines) is 12V.
What is the rated voltage of your servos?

4.8v - 7v however I pass it through a voltage regulator that pumps out 6v.

Heres my circuit diagram:

It has to be something with the current

#12

A linear voltage regulator?
What a waste.

#13

It has to be something with the current

You may have lost the ground on your regulator setup and passed ~12v to your servos. A more reliable setup would be to use a 7805 regulator chip with a diode on the ground so it puts out 5.7v. A better choice would be to use a UBEC voltage regulator (~$3 on ebay) which is efficient and made for powering servos.

#14