2/15/13 Control a Servo Motor Without Programming DIY How-to from Make: Projects

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Control a Servo Motor Without

Programming
User--Contributed Project
User
This project guide is not managed by MAKE staff.

This guide will show you how to make a simple circuit that is capab le of controlling a servo motor without
using a programmab le chip.
Author: Jonathan Best Time required: 30 minutes Difficulty: Moderate

4 x9 Tw eet
Circuits
I am going to guide you through the process of making a circuit that will allow you to control a How to design, build, and modify electronic circuits.
servo by turning a dial. At the same time I will explain what is going on in the circuit and how it
works. 121 Step-by-step Guides
Tools
Fume extractor Start a New Guide
Heatproof mat
Soldering iron

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Step 1 Control a Servo Edit

Motor Without Programming
A servo motor is controlled by sending a series of
pulses to it. This is called "pulse width modulation."
Depending on the length of the pulse it will turn to a
specific angle.
A pulse must be sent to the servo every 20
milliseconds. The pulse length will vary from 0.5ms
to 2ms. If it is 0.5ms the servo will turn as far as it can
anti-clockwise. If it is 2ms it will turn as far as it can
clockwise.
By using a pulse-generating circuit controlled by a
potentiometer any pulse length between 0.5ms and
2.0ms can be sent to the servo. This allows us to
move the servo arm to any position desired.

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2/15/13 Control a Servo Motor Without Programming DIY How-to from Make: Projects

Step 2 Edit

To create these pulses we are going to use a 555

timer circuit.
There are two types of 555 timer circuits, astable and
monostable. For this project we will be using an
astable circuit. This means that it will continually
send pulses as long as it has power.
The circuit uses a 555 timer chip, with capacitors and
resistors controlling the timing. For this circuit we will
be using the NE555.

Step 3 Edit

This is the circuit diagram for the servo controller. You

can either make it on a PCB, on veroboard, or on a
breadboard.
Whichever you choose you should always
breadboard it first. This lets you check that you have
all the right components and the correct layout.

Step 4 Edit

This is my circuit that I made. I made it on veroboard

and everything is working fine.
A few tips to remember when using veroboard.
1st; always drill through the track where your chip is
BEFORE doing any soldering.
2nd; always use a dill / chip mount to hold your chip.
This prevents the chip from getting damaged when
soldering.
3rd; always pass leads through the board before
soldering them in. This prevents them from getting
damaged if pulled upon.

For more information, check out the Circuits category page.

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2/15/13 Control a Servo Motor Without Programming DIY How-to from Make: Projects

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Comments
So will this simply move the servo forward and backward based on the position of the toggle switch?
Guide Rex, May 2 2012

hi is pot log or lin

david edwards, Oct 16 2012

It may help if you indicate battery polarity in your schematic. Thanks for sharing!
james gage, Nov 13 2012

Hey, am very sorry I missed that out, this is the first guide I have made.
The positive lead from the battery goes to the right hand terminal where it has 0v/6v written beneath it.
Hope that helps,
John
Jonathan Best, Nov 14 2012

Is there a way i can control two servos with this one circuit?
Tony, Dec 1 2012

Not that I can definitely say. Try putting two servos in parallel on the output.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Jonathan Best, Dec 2 2012

this is really nice.. can u send me the save file of this circuit.. so making pcb layout will be easy.. i am also using the same softwer..
Email : allsparkunleashed@gmail.com
Jithin, Dec 2 2012

I don't have the file on my computer at the moment (at university and it is at home), sorry.
Jonathan Best, Dec 3 2012

Google '555 timer servo controller pcb layout'

Tom, Jan 25

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