servo/electronic gurus - learn me something new

[Ender-DI]

My first post - yay!

For years, I've had this idea for a project and I'm finally at a point where I want to start researching it.

I need to figure out how to make a non-RC, non-PC servo controller. Here's the very basic idea:

Use a 3 position switch, hardwired (no remote control) to position a servo in one of three positions. For example,
position 1 on the switch = 0 degrees
position 2 on the switch = 45 degrees
position 3 on the switch = 90 degrees.

This is just an example. I might need it to be something like a two-position switch to position a servo at 0 and 180 degrees. I'm not exactly sure what the positioning requirements are yet.

Again, I don't want this hooked up to a PC to control it. I want this all done by a switch, a controller, and a servo so I can use it outside.

So... any ideas? :)

[red-panda]

Simple solution, use something like the esky servo tester, http://www.helihobby.com/html/measurement_tools.html
and scroll down till you find it. This will give you any position you want. To get fixed positions, replace the pot with a multi-pole switch, and some fixed resistors.
Second solution do a google for servo tester, which should produce several circuits ranging from simple 555 based ideas, which will do what you want, to PIC or similar micro-controller projects which will do anything you could ever need.
Hope this helps

Chris

[Acetronics]

Hi, Ender

I recently built such a device ... to drive the bomb bay doors of a model.

You use your TX/RX to learn the device the two ( or three ) positions you want ( 0 to 180 °) , and, in the run mode, a simple switch ( or relay contacts ...) allows you to choose the position you want.

Of course : learning mode implies a µP ... and the µP ( soft ) programming needs a PC ...
µP was a 12F683 ( some room needed for signal "acknoledgement" ... and learning mode )

Alain

[Ender-DI]

Simple solution, use something like the esky servo tester, http://www.helihobby.com/html/measurement_tools.html
and scroll down till you find it. This will give you any position you want. To get fixed positions, replace the pot with a multi-pole switch, and some fixed resistors.
Second solution do a google for servo tester, which should produce several circuits ranging from simple 555 based ideas, which will do what you want, to PIC or similar micro-controller projects which will do anything you could ever need.
Hope this helps

Chris

This is exactly what I was looking for. And at $14 for the E-Sky tester, I really can't go wrong. I'll get one ordered and take it apart and start experimenting. Once I get under way, I'll report back.

Thanks for the help, guys!

[Tomapowa]

Here's probably the same circuit (simple/sweet), but in project/DIY form.
You could then swap in different resistor values (using switches) instead of a potentiometer in order to get the operability you are looking for...

http://web2.murraystate.edu/andy.batts/ps/Servo_Driver_Distribution_Pack.ppt#1