I am looking for a way to control 12 servos. All from one source, but wireless and with a range of 1000yds. I need to be able to control them 1 at a time. If possible, I would like to operate 3-4 separate units all with 12 servos each. From one central controller, I select device 1, and operate servos 1-12 independently, then to unit 2 and so on. Can anyone give me a decent easy to set up solution that is also budget friendly? I am new to the whole build your own robot/electronics game. I have a project I need to help someone on, and this is proving hard to find what I need to do what I want. Any help would be great.
@pasjrwoctx You’ll find that many RC servo controllers can operate 12+ RC servos:
https://www.robotshop.com/en/servo-controllers.html
A product like the SSC-32U servo controller seems like a very good fit:
The following wiring harness might help if youuse a 6V NiMh battery with Tamiya connector:
Ex: https://www.robotshop.com/en/6v-2800mah-nimh-battery.html
The question is, how do you envision sending commands (i.e. positions)?
You indicate 1000 yards (3000 feet or almost 1km), which tends to require a radio operator’s license or using cellular technology.
https://www.robotshop.com/en/data-telemetry.html
An XBee PRO module can transmit up to 3200m / 2 miles in perfect, unobstructed outdoor conditions:
Note that you should always do a range test.
Also, for wireless control in range of 1000 yards, you could use these:
Have a look at how this guy made his RC car controllable up to 1KM:
Thanks, I will look into all the ideas later today.
Is there any easy to follow instructions to set up the controller and the transceiver? Also I need to know how to send a wireless signal to the unit what would I use? I have 12 servos, that I need to independently send signal to when I want it to work. From a hand held wireless controller. It can be simple, as an on/off switch with a single signal button that would tell the controller to fire servo 1, then when I hit it again it would fire servo 2 and so on, or it can have 12 buttons to fire 1-12.
Hi @pasjrwoctx,
In the link that I’ve sent in previous post, you have a sample code for transmitter and receiver:
https://cdn.instructables.com/ORIG/FCN/2P7H/JCS6WTZW/FCN2P7HJCS6WTZW.ino
https://cdn.instructables.com/ORIG/F08/G2PJ/JCS6XO8C/F08G2PJJCS6XO8C.ino
I suggest you start with as simple configuration as possible. To make it work remotely for at least 1 motor and later on you can expand you code.
Yes, you could have 12 buttons and every button could trigger 1 servo.
where would this code be installed? in the controller, the transmitter or the receiver?
In this example, Transmitter was installed on Arduino Nano, and code for receiver was installed on Arduino UNO, because hardware configuration was like that.