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Servos getting hot — Parallax Forums

Servos getting hot

T-manT-man Posts: 24
edited 2007-03-27 02:27 in Robotics
Is there something you recommend that would serve to alleviate my servos getting overheated on my quadcrawler?· Is the primary contributor to heat the speed setting?· Other factors?· I'd like to·get to the point where I can run it autonoumsly for more than 15 minutes or so without having to worry about overheating servos.

T-man· scool.gif

Comments

  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2007-03-26 04:18
    T-Man,

    What is the power source for your servos?

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2007-03-26 10:33
    Chris is on the right track.
    Heat is generally a sign that you are using power; either too much voltage or that the motors are suffering from too much current drawn via beng stalled a lot.

    In the past, a lot of guys have tried to boost servos' power by increasing the voltage. The trade off is a much shorter life.

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    "If you want more fiber, eat the package.· Not enough?· Eat the manual."········
    ···················· Tropical regards,····· G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse]·黃鶴 ]·in Taiwan
  • T-manT-man Posts: 24
    edited 2007-03-26 18:37
    Chris,

    Thanks for the reply.· I'm using a 7.2v nicad from Radio Shack running through the Parallax PSC.· I think @ 2400ma.· The Quad manual suggests 7.2v @ 3000ma.· Should or could I do with lesser voltage?· I've also noticed servo shake when tuning the legs on my Quad Crawler.

    Last night, I was reviewing commentary on earlier Parallax support forums concerning servo shake being due to voltage above 6v.· Could the heat and shake be due to my battery selection.· What say ye?

    T-man confused.gif


    ·
  • T-manT-man Posts: 24
    edited 2007-03-26 18:51
    Kramer,

    Thanks for your input as well.· I'm not trying to boost my servos, really.· I'm happy with the Hitec 322HDs as they are.· I just don't want to cook them with too much juice, if indeed that is the problem.

    T-man roll.gif
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2007-03-26 21:27
    7.2V is generally what’s used…The servos can also get hot if you’re driving them too hard…This can mean more than just running a long time. If the joints are tight and the servos have to work harder to do their job that can cause the servos to heat up.

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
  • T-manT-man Posts: 24
    edited 2007-03-27 02:27
    It's probably a combination of things.· I'll give him a careful mechanical·lookover to make certain the joints aren't too tight.· Luv the Quad Crawler.· It's a lot more challenging than wheel-driven platforms, albeit very rewarding when code is successfully executed.· Thanks·for the support.

    T-man· turn.gif


    'So many servos...so little time.'
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