Thread: Vsa emergency!

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Thanks guys! I guess it wasn't a VSA issue after all...
Well, that would explain it. I had a hunch it was something like that but I didn't want to mess anything up.
Ah, Jameco...I actually live about 20 min. from one of their warehouses.

5 amps, though, holy crap! Isn't that enough to kill somebody?! Is there a definitive way of determining how many amps I will need, especially since I plan to be running many more servos and relays this year?

The current draw is very much dependant upon load, and the size power of the motor, so no there is not a quick simple way of calculating how much you need.

Servo manufacturers do provide a guide to how much current the servo will draw under load, 2 amps PER SERVO is not an unusual manufacturer quoted figure

Consider 5 amps for 10 servos to be a low estimate, you will probably get away with 5 amps because its unlikely that you will be running all 10 servos under high load at the same time.

PC power supplies can typically supply 15 amps at 5VDC

I just did a quick and dirty current measurement on a Futaba S3152 which is a middle of the road digital servo. Under load, I easily was able to see 250 ma on my meter and it is a cheap meter and since the load is pulsed instead of constant this measurement probably does not accurately measure the peaks. So, I think it is safe to say that 500ma for this servo is a reasonable number - so as Phoenix says, if you are using 10 servos then 5 amps is on the lower end of the scale. My 3-axis setup uses 6 servos and I am using a supply rated at 7 amps. And yes - 5A can can be dangerous so don't tell your wife or she will freak out like mine did. On the other hand, I have always felt that if you don't blow something up once in awhile you aren't really learning.

Originally Posted by geigerwolf

Although they don't get slagged, often there are some not so complimentary things said about brookshires and particularly their support in these threads. But I just had a great experience so thought I would post a thanks to them here.

I had the same not looping issue as others, I had some time now that christmas lights are up and halloween is put away, so I emailed them today (new years day) telling them I needed the new download for the update/fix/patch to version 4.00.

Well, they sent me the information the same day on new years day no less, I downloaded and installed everything was flawless, and now VSA is looping nicely.

Great quick turnaround to my support question. Thanks Brookshire!

Just an FYI.

The latest version of VSA is now 4.002.

Yes I was given the 4.002 download. Just wanted to give Brookshire props for their very fast response during the holidays no less. I also happen to love their product.

Very easy to program/learn movements timed to the music.