Gimbal servo voltage reg

Kilby

Kilby

Active Member
As long as I've been flying these crazy birds, I've always used 3s batteries. This week I wanted to give a 4s a go. The second I plugged it in, both of my gimbal servos were nuked. Does the DJI not regulate the power that goes out to the gimbal servos?

I've since picked up a Castle BEC and will put that in when I get new servos, but I just figured I would ask about this in the mean time.
 

Bowley

Bowley

Member
Kilby said:
As long as I've been flying these crazy birds, I've always used 3s batteries. This week I wanted to give a 4s a go. The second I plugged it in, both of my gimbal servos were nuked. Does the DJI not regulate the power that goes out to the gimbal servos?

I've since picked up a Castle BEC and will put that in when I get new servos, but I just figured I would ask about this in the mean time.
Click to expand...


I presumed the VU on my Naza would supply gimbal servos but it does say in the manual, probably same for WKM, that a BEC is required for them.
 

Kilby

Kilby

Active Member
I was always under the impression that it needed a BEC due to the increased amperage though, not the lack of voltage regulation. I had just picked up a BEC to use, but I tried the 4s out first and now I have to buy 2 new servos. :apathy:
 

R

RTRyder

Merlin of Multirotors
Kilby said:
I was always under the impression that it needed a BEC due to the increased amperage though, not the lack of voltage regulation. I had just picked up a BEC to use, but I tried the 4s out first and now I have to buy 2 new servos. :apathy:
Click to expand...

Something isn't right there, on both Naza I have I've used gimbals getting power from the controller with 4S packs and never had a problem with a fried servo. I'm now running all my gimbal power off CC BECs but never had an issue when I wasn't other than the compensation being slow due to lower voltage. If there's too much power coming through I would think it would have toasted the RX as well since it's the same power feed, you may want get a multimeter and check the voltages on the connections with a 3S and 4S to see what's going on.

Ken
 

plingboot

plingboot

Member
is it better to have a bec for each servo or run both off one bec?
 
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Kilby

Kilby

Active Member
RTRyder said:
Something isn't right there, on both Naza I have I've used gimbals getting power from the controller with 4S packs and never had a problem with a fried servo. I'm now running all my gimbal power off CC BECs but never had an issue when I wasn't other than the compensation being slow due to lower voltage. If there's too much power coming through I would think it would have toasted the RX as well since it's the same power feed, you may want get a multimeter and check the voltages on the connections with a 3S and 4S to see what's going on.

Ken
Click to expand...

I plan to do exactly that when I have a little down time next weekend, Ken. Thanks for confirming what I was thinking.
 

D

DennyR

Active Member
The gimbal servos should not be powered from the Controller. Only the signal and ground wire should go to the controller. The servo power should be from a BEC or separate lipo if your running 7.4 v servos. Otherwise if a servo gets jammed or overloaded your model will crash.
 

Kilby

Kilby

Active Member
I know that, and actually was only using 1 servo for a while, so I wasn't that worried about it. The point I was trying to make is that the power that does come out of the controller wasn't being regulated to the proper voltage, not matter if I was supposed to be using it or not.
 

U

UAVproducts

Formerly DJIUSA
Kilby said:
I know that, and actually was only using 1 servo for a while, so I wasn't that worried about it. The point I was trying to make is that the power that does come out of the controller wasn't being regulated to the proper voltage, not matter if I was supposed to be using it or not.
Click to expand...

Check the voltage coming out of the PMU (going into MC). See if its being properly regulated down.
 


M

mailman35

Member
hey guys im getting ready to put in a gimbal system, i have a cc bec, as well as 2 servo's is there a cable to buy for the servo connections, to the bec and FC?
or is it something i need to make?
 

plingboot

plingboot

Member
I DIY'd mine.

Hansen Hobbies is a great resource for good quality tools and component parts for all kinds of connectors - nice folks to deal with too.

Their servo connector crimp tool makes this kind of thing a breeze.

Get stocked-up and you'll be sorted.
 




jforkner

jforkner

Member
Bowley said:
"... but it does say in the manual, probably same for WKM, that a BEC is required for them."
Click to expand...

Can you please point me to that statement? All I find is, "We recommend the use of external switching type BEC of 5A or higher for all AP work..." Not sure what that means.

Thanks.


Jack
 


M

mailman35

Member
yeah i saw that, i just think i need to see how the harness looks so i can build it out.

i just seem to be a bit dumber when it comes to some of this stuff :O
 
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