For this to work, the servos have to run continuously for 12 days (I could program 2-3mins break every 30 minutes) and I have trouble finding the right ones. Now, I understand that they are not meant to do this, but in the original project they didn’t have any problem with that aspect. I don’t care if the servos never work again after the 14 days, and I can change the motors halfway through, I just need the plants to rotate for the full period.
I tried using Feetech’s FS5103R, but after 6 days of use they stopped working. Do any of you have tips or motor recommandation that could help me?
(The petris weigh ~700g with a 4:1 gear ratio so I don’t think the torque is the limiting factor- and I tested the system empty and found the same problem)
Thank you for the help! Any tips would be greatly appreciated
I think it would be good to analyze why did this FS5103R stopped working after 6 days. Based on it, you could choose a better servo motor.
Some common issues could be:
Overheating: Continuous operation might cause the motor to overheat if it’s not adequately cooled, damaging internal components.
Wiring Issues: Loose or damaged wires can cause a loss of power or intermittent connections.
Power Supply Problems: Ensuring the power supply is stable and provides the correct voltage and current is crucial. Inadequate power can cause the motor to stop working.
Mechanical Wear: Continuous use can lead to wear and tear on gears or other mechanical components, which might eventually seize or fail.
Load Issues: If the motor is subjected to loads beyond its specifications, it might lead to premature failure.
Environmental Factors: Dust, moisture, or other environmental contaminants can impede the motor’s operation.
Control Signal Problems: If there’s an issue with the control signal, such as noise or incorrect signal levels, it might prevent the motor from operating properly.
Software or Configuration Errors: If the servo is controlled via a software system, incorrect settings or bugs in the code could lead to a malfunction over time.
Feedback Malfunction: In servos with feedback sensors, sensor failure or incorrect feedback can disrupt normal operation.
Lubrication Deficiency: Lack of proper lubrication can cause increased friction and eventual motor failure.
I am pretty sure that the issue is related to overheating. If I stop the motor and restart it it will work for a few minutes than stop again, so I think that the overheating damages a part of the circuit.
Do you have any solutions to avoid this issue or any recommandation for other motors?
It explains that it is normal for hobby servo to overheat after some time. If you want to cool it down, it would be good to find a servo with metal housing and then you could add some active cooling (simple USB fan).
One other thing that you could try is to use a similar motor with higher torque rating. For example this one:
This one should have four times higher torque compared to Feetech’s FS5103R so it would need more time to overheat.
Ok thank you very much for the recommandations, I’ll look into it!
Is there any other type of motor (other than servos) that would not encounter overheating issues when running for a long period of time? Or I just have to find a servo with high torque, cool it as much as possible and hope that it will be fine?
