Where might I buy a "servo"

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) General Frequently-Asked Questions
1

I've been looking around, and it seems that servos are popular as motors in Arduino projects. I've got two questions - where do I get them, and how do I physically connect the servo to the Arduino? From what I can gather from here, I need to connect the servo to a breadboard, and then power the breadboard from the Arduino ground and 5V, and control the servo with another wire connected to one of the digital pins on the Arduino. Is that right? I don't need any resistors or anything?

Thanks!

2

You get servos at your hobby shop or online from most of the robot stores. If you want to position something get a normal servo and if you want to use it as a motor get a modified or continous rotation servo. the CR servos are not likely to be available at a hobby store unless they cater to robotics.

3

where do I get them, and how do I psychically connect the servo to the Arduino?

By concentrating really hard? I think we might need to call in some help from Miss Cleo.

4

Bah. I was tired...

I was thinking about using it as a motor - would you suggest I get a normal servo and modify, or get a CR servo? And do you know of any good stores online that'll have them? I'm pretty sure the only hobby shop near me doesn't have them.

Thanks.

5

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=GGIT,GGIT:2007-02,GGIT:en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=cr+servo+motor&spell=1

6

Servos should be available in assorted sizes from just about any hobby shop that caters to the Remote-control hobbyists. None are likely to be "continuous rotation" without user modifications.

The big advantage of servos is that they are readily available, have a built-in gear trains, are in continuous supply, and are reasonably tightly controlled in terms of performance and behavior. For that you pay extra; $10 is a CHEAP servo motor; compare to $1 or less for surplus DC motors (without gears.) Surplus gear motors, if you can find them, are more expensive, but still cheaper than equivalent servos, and are prone to disappearing just when you want to buy more.

As for connecting them, there should be plenty of info in the playground and/or forums. Basically you want to power them from a separate power supply from the arduino itself (eg batteries), use a common ground, and manipulate the control connection via a digital output.