Powering up a servo centering tool

[mayan]

Hey everyone,

A few days ago I burned the balance connector on my 2S battery which I used for flying but mainly for checking things were working fine before hitting the field. Any how I used it also to power the servo balancer tool that I have because I knew how to use only one cell so not to over power the tool as it needs only one cell of power. Can I do the same with a 3S battery? If so how?

Pictures would help .

 

[CarolineTyler]

You could, just need to connect it across only the ground (black) and the second along.

what I use is a cheap USB charging lead, hacked off the micro USB connector and spliced on defunct servo lead powering just the ground and positive. That way I can power my servo checker from any USB socket (computer, powerbank, wall plug etc.)

 

[Merv]

I agree with @CarolineTyler, any 5v source will work. Just splice on a servo lead.

 

[Gazoo]

Mine uses a Ray-O-Vac portable battery charger. It runs on AA batteries.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GJZJB8P/?tag=lstir-20

 

[sprzout]

I just bought a little 4 AA battery pack; already had a Futaba J connector on it that fit perfectly into the slot on the power side of my servo tester.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002I9V60E/?tag=lstir-20

 

[SlingShot]

Connect it like this:

 

[mayan]

I agree with @CarolineTyler, any 5v source will work. Just splice on a servo lead.

Even dry batteries?

 

[Merv]

Even dry batteries?

Yes, in-fact that is what I use, 4 AA batteries. Similar to what @Gazoo uses.

 

[Gazoo]

Yes, in-fact that is what I use, 4 AA batteries. Similar to what @Gazoo uses.

True. The only difference, I guess, is that the phone charger that I use is a regulated 5VDC supply. Four AA batteries would start at 6VDC and then drop until unusable. Either way, they both work great.

@CarolineTyler also has a nice method by using the powered USB port on a computer but it would not exactly be portable though.
EDIT: I see that Caroline also uses the wall wart and power pack as well.

I have also tried to use those cheaper USB rechargeable power banks/sticks but they cannot provide enough amperage and tend to brown out under a load. I do use them for a small 25mW FPV camera though.

 

[slembcke]

Oh, related public service announcement.

If you are testing an ESC that has a BEC in it, you don't need to plug in separate power since that's what the BEC is for.

If you are going to test an ESC that doesn't have a BEC, do NOT plug a servo tester into the balance port of the same lipo. You'll short one or more of the battery cells through your ESC's ground wire. Use a second battery, or other external, 5v power supply. Ask me how I know this...

 

[Wildthing]

I just use an old faulty esc (w/bec) and my servo tester,

 

[mayan]

Oh, related public service announcement.

If you are testing an ESC that has a BEC in it, you don't need to plug in separate power since that's what the BEC is for.

If you are going to test an ESC that doesn't have a BEC, do NOT plug a servo tester into the balance port of the same lipo. You'll short one or more of the battery cells through your ESC's ground wire. Use a second battery, or other external, 5v power supply. Ask me how I know this...

Generally I don't recommend test ESCs with a sero centering tool burned one that way, might be just bad luck though.

 

[mayan]

Thank you all for the advice. Now I'll be able to connect the electronics for the Tedge tonight . I like the idea of using a usb cable, seems like an option worth having around even if I have a battery laying around.

 

[FDS]

I just use a 4 AA cell tray and a JST plug on mine.

 

[mayan]

I should have a 4 cell tray with a JST plug on it laying around some where need to look for it .

 

[FDS]

You can move the pins to match the +/- if it’s a balance connector type JST. Or put a servo plug on, just use the right pins to match the polarity, you don’t need signal.

 

[Bricks]

I am lucky enough I fly Nitro so have a bunch of NIMH 4 cell packs laying around and LIFE batteries only problem using LIFE is the starting voltage is 7.5 and some servos do not care for this much, smoke baby smoke.

 

[Kendalf]

Finally got around to cutting and splicing a USB cable to power my servo tester with a free little powerbank that I received. The low amperage is fine as my servo tester can only do two servos at a time.

 

[daxian]

aa 4 cell pack with a servo conector ...and an inline switch to operate, is what i use !

 

[CapnBry]

That USB charger idea is a good one, why didn't I think of that? My workbench already has a 2x 2.1A USB ports on it anyway, the USB to 3-pin is genius.

My combination battery meter / servo tester is just a pain to use that what I usually do to center a servo is just grab a conveniently located model and use one of the unused ports on the receiver for it. I also made a BEC out of a $1 "mini buck converter" from eBay, a used (broken) servo lead and an old XT30 connector that I've used before but that's not as convenient. I don't think I'll ever use that any more once I make that USB cable version. Thanks for asking this question!