anybody good with small servo's for invention

[Paul B]

I know there has to be some Geeks on here that can design a small servo circuit. I am building something (not fish related) and I want a servo to turn 180 degrees every minute or two, then turn either back or ahead another 180 degrees.

This thing will only be turning something very light, (fraction of ounces) But should be able to run continuously without overheating.
The control also must fit in a tiny space so I can't connect it to a computer. The servo itself I can build something around to hide.

I build these things so it has to fit. The "heart" of this one is a Model A Ford carburator

 

[Jekyl]

I'm no tech geek. How about the oscillator for a small fan?

 

[HuduVudu]

Very Rube Goldberg.

 

[driftin]

Something like the DIY sea sweep in this thread?
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/arduino-powered-diy-sea-sweep-oscillating-wavemaker-diy.354844/

 

[siggy]

you tube

 

[siggy]

YouTube ... Mark Roper. Here is something to do
https://monthly.com/mark-rober-engi...EMctEsUwIb_WZok4xbw0T3JHQVbK78F0aAjuHEALw_wcB

 

[JohnnyBlowfish]

Being involved in the R/C hobby, I would suggest a place like Tower Hobbies, I am sure you can find what you need.

 

[robbyg]

I am confused @Paul B.
Do you want it to go 180 stop go backward 180 stop and the go another 180 deg back? What I am getting it is that most servos will do 180deg and some do 270 deg but I don't know of any that can do a complete 360 deg and certainly not multiple complete turns.

 

[Paul B]

YouTube ... Mark Roper. Here is something to do
https://monthly.com/mark-rober-engi...EMctEsUwIb_WZok4xbw0T3JHQVbK78F0aAjuHEALw_wcB

I have been watching his video's but not exactly what I am looking for. An arduino is probably the thing but I doubt I would be able to program the thing. I am not that computer literate except writing these silly posts. :cool:

I am confused @Paul B.
Do you want it to go 180 stop go backward 180 stop and the go another 180 deg back? What I am getting it is that most servos will do 180deg and some do 270 deg but I don't know of any that can do a complete 360 deg and certainly not multiple complete turns.

Robbyg, it can go either 180 degrees, stop for a minute then either go back wards 180 degrees or forward 180 degrees. It doesn't matter. A small 12 volt 60 second timer will do if I could find one that will keep cycling on and off for 60 seconds.

What I am trying to do is. I am building another one of those glass dome things with the carburetor, fans, Tesla globes etc and I want to add an hour glass that will turn every minute. Or two minutes, whatever hour glass I get.

It needs to completely invert, then go back when the sand empties. Or at least close as I am not building a space shuttle. Just a silly thing that has no purpose as this is how I waste my time.

But when someone turns the thing off, and turns it back n, it should pick up where it was so the hour glass doesn't end up sideways. It will be controlled with a brass actuator rod because this stuff is Steam Punk so you can't see the servo or controller and it will be hidden in there someplace.

The electronics for the tesla coil will be in the carburetor like the last one I built but I had to "hollow" out the thing for that to fit.

This will also have to run continuously so the servo can't be a piece of junk and overheat wear out.

I am also designing a much larger one of these with a huge hour glass but this smaller one will be a test.

Here is an existing one not quite finished here to give an idea of the size limits I have.

 

[siggy]

I have been watching his video's but not exactly what I am looking for. An arduino is probably the thing but I doubt I would be able to program the thing. I am not that computer literate except writing these silly posts. :cool:

I want to take the course, thought you could do so as well to steam up the Punk.
YouTube has a ton of stuff, and resources.
Here is a Primer
https://www.princeton.edu/~mae412/TEXT/NTRAK2002/292-302.pdf

 

[siggy]

Hey ask around the 3D printing guys 3d is all about servos and control
https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/hobby-servo-tutorial/all

 

[Paul B]

I

I'm no tech geek. How about the oscillator for a small fan?

That would be to big and this thing needs to run on 12 volts. It also has to turn half a turn, then wait a minute, then turn again. The fan oscillator just keeps going. But thanks.

 

[Billdogg]

I wish I could help but I haven't a clue.

I just had to chime in to let you know that the things you create never fail to amaze me! I'd be proud to have something like that on display. I can see the need to make it's own display stand. Hmmmmmm - another project for me to think about!!!

 

[Paul B]

Billdogg. Thanks. I make these silly, useless things just to tinker. I have I think about 8 or 9 of them now. Some are in an art gallery but due to Covid the place is all but closed.
The owner was going to have a showing with my stuff but that was pre Covid. Now she tells me she still wants to do it but we have to wait a little longer for the restrictions to gather are lifted.

The last time she had one, it was mobbed and there were newspapers there which is what I would like. It doesn't do any good for me to make and enjoy these contraptions and not have anyone enjoy them. I am also looking to display them in our large library here as they usually have art work on display.

After that, I will sell most of them. I have about 4 of them that I am keeping like one of the steam punk fish.

Right now they are piled up on one end of my workbench and taking up to much room.


here it is under construction.


I also kept this one. Her green eyes light up but I never light them and this one is in my bedroom.



I also feel bad that this one sold in Manhattan, but I can't keep all of them. I was thinking of re making this one next.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

I like them, have you thought of a model train/racecar hobby store? They might have something.

 

[Paul B]

Sleeping Giant, unfortunately there are no more hobby stores anywhere near here but they are building a Hobby Lobby so I am all excited.
Like I said, I can get a servo to do what I want, but I don't know how to program the controller to do that. It is most likely pretty easy but I am old and not a computer Geek which is what I need for this. :)

 

[JohnnyBlowfish]

https://www.instructables.com/Rotate-Sand-CLOCK-Every-Minute-Using-Servo-Motor-A/

 

[Paul B]

Revnobody, that is "exactly" what I am looking for. Thanks.

I am going to turn the thing over using a brass rod because in Steam Punk it needs to look Victorian so you can't see any electronics, but that is easy.
I will check it out.
Perfect. I new there was someone on here that knew something about this. :)

 

[JohnnyBlowfish]

@Paul B Glad you found it helpful. I find these super cool! I hope you share more pics when you get this one finished. :)

 

[Paul B]

Now I just need to figure out how to program the thing. After I put it together I may need help programming the Arduino. There is a small chance I can do it myself. :cool:

Thanks again.