The LSS Adapter is not meant to operate RC servos, and even worse, the nominal voltage is 12V, whereas RC servos operate at 6V. You have several options here, but one of the easier ones would be to use the LSS-2IO:
This board is Arduino compatible and can connect to the same pins as the LSS servos, but it takes care of voltage regulation. The sample code which comes pre-loaded allows for RC servo control. Read more about that here:
Edit: I’m looking to use servo motors that go both directions (clockwise and anti-clockwise)
All RC and smart servos can operate in both directions (not sure I’m aware of any exceptions to this).
The LSS Adapter is not meant to operate RC servos, and even worse, the nominal voltage is 12V, whereas RC servos operate at 6V. You have several options here, but one of the easier ones would be to use the LSS-2IO:
If I needed to connect 2 pan-tilt and 4 servos, should I get 1 of the LSS-2IO boards and wire this in sequentially? Also, how is the power supplied? Do I connect this to my existing LSS Adapter board for power supply?
I plan to use the USB mode and the same programming model as I was using for the LSS Arm.
Also, which are the compatible (at least 1 foot long) connection wires?
All RC and smart servos can operate in both directions (not sure I’m aware of any exceptions to this).
With two pan/tilt modules, programming becomes a bit more involved, since you’d need to use software serial for the second set of pins. If you can use the LSS in RC mode, you could use an RC servo controller for all of them, for example:
HOWEVER, note again, that the LSS work best at 12V, while normal RC servos work best at 6V. You’d need to use VS1 for one and VS2 for the other. You cannot power (most) RC servos at 12V.
Apologies if some of the questions are basic but I come from a software engineering background and have only recently gotten into this.
What boards would you suggest I need to work with 2 pan-tilts and 4 servos? I have enjoyed working with the LSS servos in the 4dof arm; so, am happy to use LSS servos, where possible instead of any other.
Re software serial port, are you suggesting something like the Multi-port TCP/IP - serial bridge option in python’s pySerial?
HOWEVER, note again, that the LSS work best at 12V, while normal RC servos work best at 6V. You’d need to use VS1 for one and VS2 for the other. You cannot power (most) RC servos at 12V.
So, which boards would you suggest for this?
When I work with the LSS 4dof arm, I can connect all the motors in series with different ids. Is it possible (or recommended) to do something like that for the pan-tilts and another board for the 6V servos in sequence?
Also, what’s the typical time the servos should be operated for continuous small movements (with constant changes in direction)?
Why not just continue with LSS and make two pan/tilts ? This would save some money on RC servos and a separate board as well as separate 6V power (and most importantly, it’s the same system and no risk of burning anything.
What boards would you suggest I need to work with 2 pan-tilts and 4 servos? I have enjoyed working with the LSS servos in the 4dof arm; so, am happy to use LSS servos, where possible instead of any other.
SSC-32U since it uses a very similar communication protocol as the LSS.
Re software serial port, are you suggesting something like the Multi-port TCP/IP - serial bridge option in python’s pySerial?
Just realized that it’s not software serial since the other three pins are analog. You’d need a second board (each one controls up to three servos). You’d need to understand this: Servo - Arduino Reference
Also, what’s the typical time the servos should be operated for continuous small movements (with constant changes in direction)?
Agreed; instead of getting the pan-tilt and additional servos, I am just going to get 4 LSS pan-tilts.
Sorry to ask ask again but I’m not clear about this. Do I need an additional board for this or can I use my LSS Arm board? I will be connecting all the servos and pan-tilt kits to the same computer through USB.
Also, what’s the typical time the servos should be operated for continuous small movements (with constant changes in direction)?
What I mean is how long can the servos / pan-tilt kit be continuously operated assuming frequent changes in speed but with small movements only at about max 45 deg rotation per second?
You can use any of the six connectors on the LSS adapter - ideally not one since all the current would pass through those cables. They’re all connected to the same power and communication lines.
What I mean is how long can the servos / pan-tilt kit be continuously operated
It’s really just a question of how much they heat up, which is a question of duty cycle. They can be operated at low load for longer periods than if they’re at high load. The internal temperature sensor will detect if the servo has reached a very high temperature and shut down. As such, we don’t have a specific number for your situation.
Have been gathering the list of things I need. Can you please clarify which pan-tilt micro servo you were mentioning? Am looking to use my existing board and preferably the Lynxmotion pan-tilts and additional smart servos. However, the Lynxmotion pan-tilt shows the servo to be Hitec. Or is your suggestion to get the pan-tilt kit without servos and get the Lynxmotion smart micro-servos separately?
Also, can you suggest a really low profile electromagnet? Smaller than the DFRobot one you have in stock.
If you want to use a Hitec servo-based micro pan/tilt, you’ll need an intermediate board:
The board has an onboard regulator which can supply the servos with 5V, so you don’t need a separate power supply. The board comes pre-loaded with code so you can connect the servos and it should work (though read through the manual below):
If you want to use two LSS servos (not really “micro”), we don’t have a pan/tilt kit, but it’s really easy to make using either a single or double wide to connect the tilt servo to the pan servo, then a C-bracket:
For example:
Note that if you use an electromagnet, you’ll need intermediate electronics like an RC relay, which cannot connect to the LSS bus. The LSS-2IO would be needed. It seems all of the electromagnets we carry seem to be based around the same component and as such are all around the same size.
What’s the difference between this servo and what’s called “smart” servos?
Would this servo fit the brackets that you suggested? If not, which ones?
Also, I would want to connect all to either the 4-dof board or another that you recommend. I like the LSS code framework which is why I want to continue using it.
What’s the difference between this servo and what’s called “smart” servos?
Smart servos normally use serial communication, are daisy chained of after the next and are fully configurable with feedback from sensors and more. The Micro 9g you linked to is a small and normal 180 degree RC servo.
Would this servo fit the brackets that you suggested? If not, which ones?
Unfortunately not - the dimensions are off. Lynxmotion’s micro brackets are meant to fit the Hitec’s 85BB and 85MG servos.
Also, I would want to connect all to either the 4-dof board or another that you recommend.
The LSS-2IO board is a way to get RC servos to work within the LSS system. However, each can only be used with up to 3 RC servos. If you plan to use 10 RC servos, you’d need four such boards with the last one only connected to one servo.
Note that the LSS communication protocol is based on the SSC-32 protocol for RC servos:
However this board and the RC servos cannot be connected to smart servos.
In addition, would like 2 additional standalone servos, probably the same: HS-85BB
For one of the pan-tilts, I’d like to add an additional servo (hs-85bb) to control in 3 directions. Which brackets should I get to attach to the top of the pan-tilt for this?
As the servo controller, am looking to use this: Servo Controller - As per the specs, it can control all of the servos. Is that correct?
Can you suggest an external power supply for all the servos? There will be quite a large current draw, as I understand.
Just one for VS1 screw terminals. Be absolutely certain that wires from the red lead don’t touch the wires from the black lead. The VS2 terminal is there in case a user has a lot of servos connected and needs a second power supply. You don’t need anything connected to VL.
Normally a pan/tilt/roll is offset (look at systems on drones). That would take a few more brackets, though given how lightweight the system is, you could likely purchase a decent thickness of aluminum and use shears to cut it, and a drill to make holes.
Hitec indicates that the no load operating current draw is 200mA, and the stall current is 1.750A. Assuming you operate at less than half stall, so around 800mA, operating ten of them at the same time would need around 8A. If it’s unlikely that you’ll be operating 10 at higher torque all at the same time, you can get away with a bit less. Note too that the HV stands for “High Voltage”, as it operates at 6V to around 7.4V rather than the normal 4.8V to 6V for most RC servos. RobotShop does not carry many 7.4V / 7.5V power supplies (7.4V really is meant for 2S LiPo batteries) and operating at 6V means lower torque than at 7.4V. Currently the largest 6V wall adapter we offer (you can always opt for an actual power supply): https://www.robotshop.com/products/power-supply-output-6vdc-5a-input-100-240vac
To be safe, you might use two.
