Drive Servos With a 555 Timer IC

7/27/2019 Drive Servos With a 555 Timer IC

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Drive Servos with a 555 timer IC

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This instructable provides a walk through of a basic servo driver using a 555 IC chip 5 resistors

a transistor and 2 capacitors. The idea is simple, use 2 switches to control the motion of the

servo. Note this circuit is based on a servo tester circuit found on the Internet. We built this with

parts from Jameco Electronics at an instructables build night at Arch Reactor Hackerspace.

Thanks Jameco!

Step 1: The circuit

This is a diagram of what we are building. This and many other 555 circuits can be found on

www.555-timer-circuits.com

Step 2: What you need
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555 IC 68k resistor 4.7k resistor 33k resistor 10k resistor 1k resistor 2 - 100n capacitors bc547

transistor 2 momentary push buttons a servo a 6v power supply jumper wires. LOTSOf them.

Step 3: Wiring

wire the circuit as in this image. Be sure to lookup your transistor and match emitter, collector,

and base as in the circuit diagram. Do not hook the power up until after it is wired. Refer back

to the circuit diagram as needed to clarify wiring questions.

Step 4: Add power
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Connect power to the red and black rails and press one of the buttons. You should see the

servo move in response to the button press.

Step 5: How crowded can it get?
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It's a good idea a breadboard this out and simplify afterwards. It's a nice quick project to get

you started on servos.
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Step 6: Optional
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A meter is optional but can really go a long way in helping you resolve issues. I highly

recommend getting one for any of you circuit projects.

1380661290748 SA 7LRFZHLJUG /id/Drive-Servos- f alse

wiredcavsays: Sep 19, 2013. 12:51 PM Reply

Very nice project. I presume you're sending two PWM signals corresponding to two servo

positions - yes? I would think I could replace the two resistors and switches with a

potentiometer that would allow me to drive the servo to any position. Is this right?

Thanks for a cool project.

7gfetters(author) in reply towiredcavSep 20, 2013. 12:23 PM Reply

You are correct. A potentiometer is an excellent idea as a replacement for the 2 push buttons. I

am thinking of adding a WiFly to this so I can control the Servo via the internet.

BJack042000in reply togfettersSep 29, 2013. 5:43 AM Reply

THAT WOULD BE AWSOME IF YOU COULD ADD WIFI CONTROL

tcarney57says: Sep 19, 2013. 8:37 PM Reply

Very nice. Are the resistor values chosen such that the servo turns faster forward than in

reverse?

7gfetters(author) in reply totcarney57Sep 20, 2013. 12:20 PM Reply

No it should be the same in either direction.

Poppy Annsays: Sep 20, 2013. 1:22 AM Reply

I was trying to do this circuit a couple of years ago as i wanted to use a brush-less model motor

and propeller as a fan on my boat but when i found out i can buy a servo tester for $4.50 i just

used them instead as the cost of 12 volt fans was around $15 for a cheep car one or $55 for a
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boat one and they only last around a year as the brushes always wear out but the model

motors last forever and use less power to move more air plus i can control how fast they run

which is great so they do not make as much noise as i leave some of them running all night.

7gfetters(author) in reply toPoppy AnnSep 20, 2013. 12:19 PM Reply

Excellent Idea.

EDLITEsays: Sep 19, 2013. 8:36 PM Reply

You have gone to quite a bit of trouble when you can buy a nice Turnigy servo tester at Hobby

King for 6 bucks!

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__8296__Turnigy_Servo_Tester.html

7gfetters(author) in reply toEDLITESep 20, 2013. 12:04 PM Reply

Its nice to build once in a while instead of buy. I could have easily done this with an arduino

too.

ginodisimonesays: Sep 19, 2013. 1:40 PM Reply

a great adaptable circuit for solar tracking (improved solar panel efficiency) or astronomical

tracking. thanks.

4askjerrysays: Sep 19, 2013. 1:33 PM Reply

Our robot group was looking for something simple/kool to do... I think this would be a good

project for some of the new folks. thanks! great job!
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Drive Servos With a 555 Timer IC