Hi all, I need to know whether this: MB102 Breadboard Power Supply Module 3.3V/5V Solderless Breadboard connected directly to its own dedicated 5V USB power bank would sufficiently power 11 S3003 servos. If not, what would I need?
From the ad:
Maximum output current: 700 mA.
That is enough for, maybe, one servo. It is recommended to supply, at least, 1A per servo so, no, that will not work.
So, will it work if I wire the power bank directly to the breadboard? It gives an output of 1 A.
RandomAnon1:
So, what should I use? Maybe a servo driver board would do?
Where will that get its power from? You need to provide about 1A x (how many servos can all be stalled at once), worst case, 11A if they can all draw stall current together.
edit: OP editied post #2 which is where I quoted from.
What about wiring the 1A power bank directly to the breadboard?
RandomAnon1:
What about wiring the 1A power bank directly to the breadboard?
A rule of thumb is 1A per servo, so how will 1A drive 11 servos? How many of them are likely to draw stall current at once?
(I'm not sure if a breadboard can handle much current btw, they're designed for ICs and leds and stuff afaik.)
And thanks for making me look a pillock by editing your post #2 so that my #3 looks stupid.
kenwood120s:
And thanks for making me look a pillock by editing your post #2 so that my #3 looks stupid.
Sorry about that, I edited it even before I read your post!
kenwood120s:
A rule of thumb is 1A per servo, so how will 1A drive 11 servos? How many of them are likely to draw stall current at once?(I'm not sure if a breadboard can handle much current btw, they're designed for ICs and leds and stuff afaik.)
Can you recommend me any power supply that can do the job? I'm a noob at powering these stuff!
RandomAnon1:
Sorry about that, I edited it even before I read your post!
NP
RandomAnon1:
Can you recommend me any power supply that can do the job? I'm a noob at powering these stuff!
Well there's no rule that you can't have as many power supplies as needed. I'd actually get my ammeter out and measure the stall current first. I did a bit of a search and on other forums they're saying that servo's not going to draw as much as 1A.
Are they likely to draw stall current at the same time?- you haven't said what you're making.
What I'm making is a humanoid robot. It has 2 servos per leg, 3 per arm and one for the neck. (Although I may add one more to the neck). I don't think all will be drawing stall current at the same time.
5V 20 Amp switching supply. It seems overkill but the extra capacity means that it will not be strained if several of the servos start at the same time. Always design for the worst case.
RandomAnon1:
What I'm making is a humanoid robot. It has 2 servos per leg, 3 per arm and one for the neck. (Although I may add one more to the neck). I don't think all will be drawing stall current at the same time.
Well stall current is not just when they're clamped in place but when they start up, so if they all start to move together they might draw too much.
groundFungus:
5V 20 Amp switching supply.
It's going to be a bugger to cart that around.... 
It's going to be a bugger to cart that around
He doesn't say what he wants other than a supply that will handle the current. There is probably a battery pack that would work, but I don't know of one. I hardly ever use batteries.
Over 2 kg it says - my old ATX PSU that can supply 5V at 24A (plus 12V and 3.3V 18A each) weighs much less than that.
So indeed maybe that's where you should have a look at as well. Computer power supplies.
wvmarle:
Over 2 kg it says
Says under tech details, 1lb, that's 500g.
(You might have been reading the shipping costs part, under / over 2kg?)
I think the easiest solution for me would be to use a 4 AA battery pack per 2(?) servos. I heard somewhere that 2 servos can run off a 4 AA battery pack.
RandomAnon1:
I heard somewhere that 2 servos can run off a 4 AA battery pack.
There's only one way to find out....
I would at least use rechargeable AA batteries for this, as alkalines will have a much harder time supplying that current, and they'll be exhausted very fast. With rechargeable AA batteries I expect it to work indeed.