Open Cockpits USB Servo Card question

[EAL727Captain]

Newbie here so please pardon my ignorance.

What is this 'external power source connector (2 pins)' that they're referring to?

Do I need to buy an external power unit that somehow steps down the voltage before attaching it to the card itself?    I understand the connector part but am completely in-the-dark about this external power source.

Thank you in advance for your help.

JC
FLL

[mickc]

Hi JC

You need to attach these pins to a 5VDC source to supply power for the servos.
The USB port does provide 5V, but once you get a few servos on the board it can quickly overload the USB port and cause it to disconnect.a

You can use an old PC power supply or small plugpack for the job

[EAL727Captain]

That's the issue....I can't find anything even remotely close to what they're describing to use.

That's why I'm thinking some kind of converter which plugs into the wall and you select the voltage to step-down to and attach wires from the converter to this small connector.

No worries.  The searching continues!

[Caflyt]

JC.
Mick is referring to a power supply unit from any ole' computer.
The PSU supplies 3v, 5v and 12v already. On the outside of most PSU's the wire coloring convention is usually printed telling you which wires supply what voltage.

The search ends when you dig up an old PSU!!

Carry on!!!

Craig

[mickc]

Yes,

Also, any old USB style phone chargers are a cheap and easy 5v power supply.  just use an old USB cable and cut the phone plug off

[EAL727Captain]

Aw, please don't tell me its as simple as that?
Seriously?   LOL

I've been on the internet looking for some special gadget that plugs into the wall!

Did I mention that I used to be blond?

So, I can use any cel phone charger, snip the ends and wire connectors?

[Trevor Hale]

Yup sure can. Just use a multimeter on it to make sure you get the polarity right and your good to go.

[mickc]

So, I can use any cel phone charger, snip the ends and wire connectors?

Just make sure its 5v  (any USB Style charger will be)

[EAL727Captain]

Thank you, gentlemen.
I appreciate your help and explanations.

There is so much to learn and I'm grateful for your guidance.

Jay

[milezee]

You might also want to google: 0.1 inch pcb housing
That's the little 2 pin plug that will fit the OC cards, you don't really want to be soldering your power supply direct to the board.

Also watch out for the colour coding of the actual servo when you connect that to the board. Different munfacturers use different colours. Its very easy to blow a servo with wrong connections.

[EAL727Captain]

Miles, et. al.

Thank you very much.    I had done research on the subject and no, soldering directly on the board from the power supply is not a good idea.
I also had read about the swapping of wires for the various servos and really appreciate you looking out for me.  Thank you.

My winter holiday begins in 2 days (not that I'm counting, mind you) until 05January.

Needless to say, I'll be experimenting with the OC USBServo Card as well as a bunch of servos I've purchased.    This is getting exciting!

I'll post progress here.   

Again, thank you all.

Jay