Home-made servo current meter?
04-23-2011, 06:05 AM
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Home-made servo current meter?
Is it reasonable, with some simple soldering, to wire a spare servo extension into a "home-made" in-line current meter (used in conjunction with hand-held multi-meter)?
I've searched here and in 'general' giant scale forums, but only found examples of people using the Hangar 9 servo current meter, or programming their HiTec digitals to set up ganged aileron servos.
I'm ganging my aileron servos, and I'm using Hitec programmable servos, but I don't have the programmer. However, I am using a JR 12x radio, so I can use the "quad servo aileron" function. I just need a way to measure current draw while setting up the linkages.
Of course an easy alternative is to simply purchase the Hangar 9 servo current meter, or the hitec programmer, but I want to start setting up my ganged aileron servos today (and also avoid potentially extraneous purchases).
Anyone done this?
Potential pitfalls?
Thanks,
Noah
I've searched here and in 'general' giant scale forums, but only found examples of people using the Hangar 9 servo current meter, or programming their HiTec digitals to set up ganged aileron servos.
I'm ganging my aileron servos, and I'm using Hitec programmable servos, but I don't have the programmer. However, I am using a JR 12x radio, so I can use the "quad servo aileron" function. I just need a way to measure current draw while setting up the linkages.
Of course an easy alternative is to simply purchase the Hangar 9 servo current meter, or the hitec programmer, but I want to start setting up my ganged aileron servos today (and also avoid potentially extraneous purchases).
Anyone done this?
Potential pitfalls?
Thanks,
Noah
04-25-2011, 03:29 PM
#5
RE: Home-made servo current meter?
If you already have a multimeter that measures DC current, then you can use some servo extensions to make up a harness and have your multimeter in series with the servo power leads (red or black wires). Not very handy like the H9 but it will work. I recently purchased the H9. It's a must have for giant scale planes.
04-25-2011, 04:10 PM
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RE: Home-made servo current meter?
Check out this link. http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_10...m.htm#10270397
Hellcat 1 had a unit that he made up published in RC Reports. He made up several for club members. I just used mine again the other day. I like an analog meter better than a digital. He basically used a small plastic box from Radio Shack with red and black "binding plugs" (female banana plugs?) and a HD servo extension. Put it in-line betwen battery and rx and read the results.
Pm Hellcat 1 if you need more info. He's a nice guy and will be glad to help if I got something backwards in my explanation.
Fred
Hellcat 1 had a unit that he made up published in RC Reports. He made up several for club members. I just used mine again the other day. I like an analog meter better than a digital. He basically used a small plastic box from Radio Shack with red and black "binding plugs" (female banana plugs?) and a HD servo extension. Put it in-line betwen battery and rx and read the results.
Pm Hellcat 1 if you need more info. He's a nice guy and will be glad to help if I got something backwards in my explanation.
Fred
