Using a servo to switch on a plug at a specific time

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello,

I've never used Arduio before but just ordered a starter set which arrives tomorrow. I want to setup a servo which will spin the arm and switch a plug on in the morning around 9am, is something like this achivable for a new person?

Just had a quick question, I need to turn it all on in the evening so how do you power the Arduio, can i use a usb power bank or something. What sort of draw do they have?

What modules will i need to achieve this, Im guessing a time clock, the servo, any else that i might need?

Thanks

2

is something like this achivable for a new person?

The servo sweep example shows how to make the servo move. The rest of the project involves physical construction. A new person, a.k.a. a baby, probably could not do the physical construction.

how do you power the Arduio

Batteries. Wall wart. Your choice. Make sure you are not expecting the Arduino to power the servo. It can control it. It can NOT power it.

any else that i might need?

A microcontroller. Preferably an Arduino, since you DID ask here.

3

If you want an easier approach. look up "Powerswitch tail".

4

PaulS:
The servo sweep example shows how to make the servo move. The rest of the project involves physical construction. A new person, a.k.a. a baby, probably could not do the physical construction.
Batteries. Wall wart. Your choice. Make sure you are not expecting the Arduino to power the servo. It can control it. It can NOT power it.
A microcontroller. Preferably an Arduino, since you DID ask here.

Thanks Paul, by physical construction do you mean attaching it to the socket i want to switch on? I have a 3D Printer so was going to make a bracket to attach to the plug, that part i'm fine with it was more the programming stuff i wasn't too sure about.

From the videos i've been watching people are plugging micro servos into the arduino from the board and they are being powered by something else ?

Paul__B:
If you want an easier approach. look up "Powerswitch tail".

Is that for actually connecting to the plug socket? All i want is a servo to do is rotate the arm and press the On Switch. i don't want to actually mess with the 240v mains.

5

There are many tutorials on the internet showing a servo being powered by an Arduino. Do not believe everything that you see on the internet. There are many more posts on this forum complaining of servo misbehaving because the Arduino cannot supply enough current for the servo. Powering one or two micro servos that have no load may work, but for any servos under load, an external supply is required.

Powerswitch tail is a plug that you plug into the wall and a socket that connects to your device. The power to the socket can be controlled by the Arduino (ala relay). There is no "messing with the mains" as you just plug in the tail to the wall and plug your device power plug into the socket. Then leave the device power switch on and turn the device on and off with the Arduino.

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olli460:
From the videos i've been watching people are plugging micro servos into the arduino from the board and they are being powered by something else ?

I'm willing to bet that most of the videos you've watched are of micro servos just wagging the arm about without having any load. As soon as you need the servo to do some real work it needs more power than is safe for the Arduino 5V pin. So yes you run servos from their own power. 4 x rechargeable AA batteries is often about right.

Steve