Servo headers causing short. Fix?

ajelliot

I have a couple of futaba servos with the standard three pin headers. They're causing all kinds of trouble in my bot because when I plug them into their posts, and only when I plug them in, the data and power lines get shorted. The headers are all plastic, so I can't just open them up and rewire them.

Has anybody had this problem before? Is there a fix other than cutting the headers off and hardwiring the pins? I'd like to be able to use these servos in other projects if I have to.

Thanks a lot,
-aje

ajelliot

Actually, the servos themselves are busted. The data and power lines are somehow fused internally. I must have melted something.

Chris Savage

Hello,
·
·· This can happen if you power them from too high a voltage source.· Servos are typically rated at 4.8V to 6V, though many are powered from up to 7.2V packs.· Anything more and you risk damaging the internal control circuitry.

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Chris Savage
Parallax Tech Support

Steve Joblin

All is not lost... open up the servos, unsolder the circuit board from the motor, then solder two wires to the motor, and close everythig up.· Now you have a very easy to mount gear box motor that can be controlled via a small motor controller, like the Pololu Dual Serial Motor Controller!