Direct servo connecting

[bsirrell]

I want to control a servo via a switch ie not using radio gear, just servo switch & power supply. How do i do this?

Is there an easy way of doing this or is there a circuit that i can build to do it.

To explain more; The use for this will be an animitronic model/creature where moving parts eg moving eyes etc will hopefully be controlled by servos.

Any ideas?

Brett

[AndyOne]

Brett,

Just do a search for "servo tester", this should do what you want.

Andy.

[TugBoat]

Depending on your application you could look at something like this: http://www.acroname.com/robotics/parts/R79-SV203.html

This is an 'off-the-shelf' device with RS-232 control of up to 8 servo or digital outputs. The price loooks steep - but then again it is all ready to go...

I know you say control by 'switch' so this is not exactly what you want - but if you need RS-232 control this may be what you want.

I have used two of these in specialised applications over the years and they work well.

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If you want control by a switch you could look at a simple PIC program, or possibly a couple of 555 timers with the switch controlling the time constant.

Tim

[bsirrell]

Thanks for the info.

A simple servo tester would probably work well.

Would i need one for each servo?
Or is there an easy way around controlling several servos say from a couple of joysticks or buttons?

Brett

[jeffs555]

If you could connect it to a PC, here is a page that tells how to connect up to 8 servos directly to the parallel port. http://users.swing.be/philippe.jadin/servoen.htm
Has software to drive the servos from a mouse or joystick. Haven't tried it, but it should work.

Jeff

[bsirrell]

No it has to be portable. PC connection is not possible.

Ideally the animtronics will be opperated by hidded switches tucked away, so a simple joystick or set of 4 microswitches opertated by the thumb could say control 2 lateral movements (2 servos). Then maybe have this arrangement for two more servos on the other hand. Maybe another switch for other functions such as noises or waterquirt etc.

Plenty of ideas, its just a case of working out how to do it all.

Brett

[Acetronics]

Hello,bsirrell

it's fun because i've just finished such a device: switch for two position control of a servo, programmable extreme positions, and, if required lock upon the position of another servo.
It was intended to control the canopy of a P47, with open canopy only if flaps down ...and closure if scramble !!!

Interested in ???

Alain