rryman

My Feedback: (2)

Does anyone make a tester to check the current draw on servos? Something that you could plug in between the servo and receiver and would give you a read out of the draw on each individual servo?
Thanks,
Randy

pepito9

i might be saying something stupid but take a servo extension, cut the positive wire and use a ammeter connected in series to this wire.

i believe it would work ...

right?

diego

Scotty740

Not stupid at all. It works great for trouble shooting and checking current draw. Put it in line with the battery to check the draw of the whole system also.

rryman

My Feedback: (2)

Thanks for that info. I'll give that a try.
Randy

pepito9

WOW!!!

i just did the test on my helicopter, at idle without any control movements it´s pulling 0.2A.

if i start moving the sticks all around the place it will max out at 1.2A!!!

that is a lot of current moving around in there.

no wonder a 1000Mah battery pack lasts 2 flights and is down to 4.8V

diego

woodscra

My Feedback: (23)

I have some digitals that will draw 500 Mah alone, imagine 7 or 8 of these!

I have just recently been checking my stuff as well. I would like to make something nicer than what I am using, it is pretty crude at this time.

golf_lake

Just remember all those readings will go up along way when you get a load on the servo’s from air preasure.

bgi

My Feedback: (7)

You can use one of those (forget the techno term) out-of-circuit ammeters without cutting the wire. Just loop it over one of the power leads to the servo. I have a servo extension dedicated to this task. It's leads are separated to allow the probe to wrap around the wire.

Rodney

Also remember that, the initial draw (while it may be for only a few milliseconds) is still much higher than the ameter reads. That is why you must have very good connectors and ample sized wiring, especially on the larger planes that use the more powerful servos.

Four_Stroker

My Feedback: (10)

Another interesting test would be to put it inline with the engine running. The vibration will cause more current drain also. You can check to see if your mounts are any good. I have a hyde mount on order now.